I just bought a 30 year old home last month.
Last week, the sewer backed up into the tubs and toilet. After trying everything, we called Plumber A, who sent his son out. He came out (I was gone, my wifey was here)and dug a hole next to the house, where he found the sewer line to be made of that black corrugated plastic stuff, installed long ago before city annexation.
He said he cleared the line, patched the hole with a piece of aluminum foil provided by my wife, filled the hole, charged us $165. He wrote on the ticket he "pulled nothing" from the line. Also,he said he would not guarantee the work because of the plastic line.
He said the 40 foot line was likely collapsing, and would need to be replaced. Around here, that will run $1,500-$2,000.
A week later, another backup.
Wifey and I dig up the line again, and see that the plumber had punched a hole in the line a little less than the size of a dime, which he apparently ran his equipment through.
I called the Plumber A, irate, and the man justified his procedure by saying he used a small 5/8 inch bladed(snake? rooter?) to clean it to the city line. He told me using anything larger would destroy my corrugated plastic line.
I called another plumber with more than 20 years of experience, who said he disagreed, and that the blades would NOT tear up the line. He said the equipment used by the first guy was more for drains and smaller interior lines.
So, now Plumber B is on his way in the morning (for $120 bucks) to give it a shot with a larger rooter. He said he can tell by how many obstructions he hits whether or not the line is collpased or just obstructed. He can also can provide a camera down the line for $225.
My questions: Do I have any recourse against Plumber A? Am I wasting my time and money by having it cleaned again in the morning? Should we do camera?
I haven't showered in three days. Can you smell me from there?
Thanks in advance for your wisdom.