Sewers

I have a sewer line I have had to snake about every 3 months, now I get huge handfulls of gravel on each pull.

I have had to snake this for years, no biggie over time, but now we have gravel in each pass of the snake, I did it 5 times in a row and each time the same amount, so, is the most probably scenario a busted pipe? There has been major construction nearby, but wasnt sure if others lines pass thru ours. If a busted pipe, what's the worst case scenario?

Public Comments

1. Yep, busted pipe! Measure how much snake it takes to reach the gravel. That will give you an idea of where to start digging. Some companies offer a repair that doesn't involve digging.
2. The worst case would be you have to get a tractor with a back hoe to dig it up and put new pipe in. They charge about the same for a small job as a big one. Ouch! Quick find a shovel and dig, dig, dig!!!!!
3. pipe is broken under ground has to be replaced.
4. yep, busted clay pipe. have a plumbing company give you an est imate on replacing the line.
5. before you condemn the pipe check the outside fresh air pipe ive heard tell of kids throwing rocks in them and some times crooked plumbing companies and crude neighbors doing the same.....if if not you just may have a collapsed main line
6. I would call in a plumbing company to video the sewer if it is broken most companie\s give you credit for the camera on the repair. My company never uses a back hoe. We use manual labor. one small move of the back hoe can break gas or electrical lines. I feel its better to be safe than sorry.
7. Thats what digsafe is for...