Blocked sewer gone bad

Users who are viewing this thread

Jar546

In the Trades
Messages
424
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
USA
Website
www.inspectpa.com
Here is a good one:

Homeowner has a backed up sewer line.
Plumber comes out and cannot unblock it with a snake.
City goes out to dig up their area and finds a Fernco that was put on and buried with no clamps. The weight of the soil pushed the Fernco through the gap and into the pipe causing the blockage.

Plumber who showed up and could not fix the problem only ran his snake in to the blockage point. He gives the homeowner a bill for $550.

Homeowner calls city hall to complain.

City fines plumber $1,000. for working without a permit.

Lesson learned,..........don't gouge.
 

SewerRatz

Illinois Licensed Plumber
Messages
1,681
Reaction score
10
Points
38
Location
Chicago, IL
Website
www.a-archer.net
I explain to all the home owners what my rates are and that they are paying me to put my rod into their sewer. They still have to pay me regardless if I open it or not.

I had a job where I rodded the line and the rod would not past 60 feet. When I pulled back the cutter was all shined up. I put a cone retriever on the rod and brought back rocks. I explained to the home owner their line is broken and is in need for repair and handed her a bill for my hours work ($265) She had the option to hire me to locate the trouble spot for an additional $280. Or she can hire me for $3200 to make the repair. She knows a lot more about her sewer than she did before she called me. I and any plumber that sticks their rodder in the line should get paid for their time to diagnose the issue.

In Chicago if you do any rodding you do need to get a permit though. Its 10 bucks and all you do is call it in and they mail you the bill. There is no inspection when your done or anything. Its just so they have a running documentation of any troubles that home may have had with its drainage system. The suburbs do not require a permit for power rodding.
 

Redwood

Master Plumber
Messages
7,335
Reaction score
13
Points
0
Location
Connecticut
No permits required for rodding here...
It's hard to say who the crookeder crook is... The plumber or the city...:eek:
 

hj

Master Plumber
Messages
33,602
Reaction score
1,038
Points
113
Location
Cave Creek, Arizona
Website
www.terrylove.com
plumber

Here, it would be the Registrar of Contractors who would fine them for working without a license, give them a felony conviction, prohibit them from doing ANY more work, AND not allow them to apply for a license for two years.
 

Cass

Plumber
Messages
5,947
Reaction score
7
Points
0
Location
Ohio
Here is a good one:

Homeowner has a backed up sewer line.
Plumber comes out and cannot unblock it with a snake.
City goes out to dig up their area and finds a Fernco that was put on and buried with no clamps. The weight of the soil pushed the Fernco through the gap and into the pipe causing the blockage.

Plumber who showed up and could not fix the problem only ran his snake in to the blockage point. He gives the homeowner a bill for $550.

Homeowner calls city hall to complain.

City fines plumber $1,000. for working without a permit.

Lesson learned,..........don't gouge.

What City...
 

hj

Master Plumber
Messages
33,602
Reaction score
1,038
Points
113
Location
Cave Creek, Arizona
Website
www.terrylove.com
fine

I guess that means that the city's budget got $1,000 extra and the homeowner was out $550, so all the contractor really paid was $450 of his own money. If he had charged $1,000 the money would have went from the homeowner straight to the city.
 
Top
Hey, wait a minute.

This is awkward, but...

It looks like you're using an ad blocker. We get it, but (1) terrylove.com can't live without ads, and (2) ad blockers can cause issues with videos and comments. If you'd like to support the site, please allow ads.

If any particular ad is your REASON for blocking ads, please let us know. We might be able to do something about it. Thanks.
I've Disabled AdBlock    No Thanks