Old houses and old poeple

[Jess from VA]

It appears my old house has got it's main line to the sewer clogged up.  It says online that this is usually grease or oil or crud, but I never put any of that down my plumbing.  After 60 years, who knows what's in those pipes?

The plumber may make it over this afternoon.  He tells me not to run any water anywhere or flush toilets.  I already figured that out.  Using a bucket is so convenient.

So I'm watching the TV and it's getting cold.  The code required switch to the HVAC gets bumped off every time I check my furnace filter.  You'd think I'd learn.  I least I have heat.  

I can throw a switch with the best of them.  But plumbing, forget it.

I decided I better uncover my main plumbing clean-out port as they may need to use a super-snake down that.  The damn thing is just a ragged hole in my basement bath wall.  25yrs ago, I covered it up with a knock out panel which hides the hole nicely.  Some idiot caulked the edges to make it blend in better (me).

At least a tree didn't fall on the house (the wind is raging).  But the day is still young.

 

[Patrick]

I had a cast iron septic line plug last spring when we got back. It was plugged at a 45 fitting and I couldn't get at it with a snake from either end. I had to dig it up, cut the line and replace that section into the tank.

Plumbing is easy, but, it can be a royal PITA at times. And always at the most inopportune times.

You'll be a lot happier once its fixed.

[Jess from VA]

Yeah, it's not like I'm gonna grow attached to the bucket.   

[carolinarider09]

Well, we are sort of lucky.  Got two septic tanks (due to drain filed "considerations") about 20 feet from the house.  Septic line runs straight with the required cleanup plug just as it exists the building (one in the inside as well as I remember. 

I did not run the plumbing (waster or water) for my house and, there were some "leaks" on the waste part I had to correct. 

Most every thing else I did (well not the dry wall or the foam insulation in the roof or carpet of the hardwood floors but.....

[old2soon]

       Jess if that sewer drain line runs thru an area of trees that were young when the line was installed might could be a root obstruction. Roto Rooter! RIDE SAFE.

[Jess from VA]

Thanks Dennis, but the one tree that way was probably 30ys old when the place was built, but I suppose it's possible.  I'm pretty sure it's old pipe and internal buildup over time.

No plumber, no call, no shower or shave and we're still on the bucket.  Good times. 

[da prez]

 One of my jobs was sewer and water.  A tree root can travel a great distance to find water. A hair like root finds it's way into a line , and flexes its muscles . The line will crack and eventually plug up. New installations are usually plastic.  Good luck


               da prez
 
 

[cookiedough]

best of luck my parents house built in 1950s the cast iron pipe rotted away under the kitchen sink down into basement had to replace in 1980s I remember that still at home. 

My kid bought a VERY old 1880's house in town with all cast iron pipes in basement am guessing 1940's or 1950s also,  doubt they had cast iron pipes in 1880s???    Am sorta worried about the plumbing going up to the 2nd story bathroom (no bathroom on main level since 2 bigger bedrooms and bathroom are upstairs 2nd level).   Am also tad bit worried about sewer going out to street being underground at least that long as well since if any pipes burst or get plugged going into street he is responsible for repairs.  His siding is also made of pressed paperboard of some material having asbestos in it also from 60's is my guess?  I guess is safe still as long as not disturbed but a few chunks are broken on siding here and there.

[Serk]

...at least it's the house's sewer that's backed up, and not the old person's.....

Things can ALWAYS be worse...

(Of course, if it were the old person's, a quick trip to Taco Bell could blow any backup right out.....)

 

[_Sheffjs_]

I had the sewer pipes of 92,000sf building I manage jetted a few years back, the before and after videos were staggering!   Oh and the worst part was grease, note that the kitchen is on a separate system all together with its own grease trap. Who knows. 

[Jess from VA]

I had not heard of hydro jetting before.  I'm going to ask them about it. 

I did think about trying to use my Stihl backpack 600 magnum blower, but this seemed ill advised.   

[pais]

Have you checked with your neighbors, anyone else having issues? The sewer main may be blocked and backing up. Never hurts to call your city maint. dept. and have them check their main at the street.
  Like prez said, "roots can travel". Everything trees need is inside of your sewer lateral, water and fertilizer. This is certainly a "happens over time" issue. Once roots are in they are the catch all. Materials like grease, paper and anything else you flush down the toilet. Those so called "flushable wipes" are not flushable. They are wreaking havoc across the country in city sewer systems. All these items get caught on the roots and then you are plugged. Clay pipe has been in use for a long time. Mortared joints become weak and voids are created. Roots don't need much of a void to enter and grow. 
I always suggest to residents to use a true drain cleaning company. Not a plumber that also cleans drains. Yes there are choices for cleaning sewer laterals these days. High pressure jetting is an effective option.
  Sorry for rambling but I deal with this on an almost daily basis.
Whichever you choose I suggest having your lateral televised to see what the cause is / was. I also suggest a regimen of some sort of root control / killer to keep the roots at bay.
   Grease is also a famous one for plugging a sewer lateral. Hell, grease can plug a 12" sewer main with no problem.

[f6john]

I had not heard of hydro jetting before.  I'm going to ask them about it. 

I did think about trying to use my Stihl backpack 600 magnum blower, but this seemed ill advised.   

Yea, the blow back from that operation could be awesome!

[Jess from VA]

Thanks Pais. 

[Jess from VA]

Hallelujah!!   We are off the bucket.  And on a brand new throne.

75 feet of industrial snake on a big machine, brings back tree roots (as the above experts surmised) (very fine, but a big clump of them), and a rag I never threw in there.  

He elected to go through the 60yo American Standard basement toilet drain rather than the clean-out, so the toilet came out.  Had him put a new American Standard Champion 4 back in.  

Nice young man with manners and a good work ethic.  He let me serve as helper too.  

He'll be back tomorrow for a little side work (and lives in my neighborhood).

Smells a bit like a sewer in there.

Feeling a bit seedy so off to the shower.  

[Tundra]

 I wish you the best with that I had the same problem, same results.
Then repeat every 6-8 months as the roots grow back into the weak points in the pipe for the yummy moisture. I got sick of paying to have the same job done over and over (roots at the same spot) I wound up digging out the old and replacing with PVC. My old was clay connected to black iron coming out of the home. Clay pipe? Really? Once it's crushed by the roots the problem is never ending. I don't know what your sewage pipes are constructed of in Virginia, hopefully not clay.

I wouldn't do that job again. I would gladly pay to have it done.
 I hope yours is "once and done"

[Jess from VA]

I have galvanized pipe.

But am told the root issue will reoccur.  I'm also told I have a good chance of defeating recurrence with some root murdering product you pour down there periodically.  I will try that before digging the place up. 

[Serk]

I'm also told I have a good chance of defeating recurrence with some root murdering product you pour down there periodically.  I will try that before digging the place up. 

Weekly meals at Taco Bell? 

[Jess from VA]

I don't know what your fixation with Taco Bell is.   

Besides, tree roots would love Taco Bell, either direct or processed through me. 

I've had my place surveyed with lasers down to the last centimeter, I know where the electric, gas, water and fiber optic cables are, but I have no idea where my sewer line goes (besides ending up at the sewer someplace).  I suppose it doesn't matter since my soil is one large rootbound somnabich.

So I guess I will follow Timothy Leary's advice of better living through chemicals.   

Apparently there's a way to figure out close to where the roots are through the pipe using their camera system.  I'll jump off that bridge (and dig) only if I absolutely have to. 

[Bigwolf]

There are some companies that have the ability/tools to bore out the inside of the sewer pipe and then coat the inside of it with plastic without digging it up.  It’s an alternative solution to the problem that you might want to check out.

[Jess from VA]

Thanks, I didn't know that Jerry.

I developed a gas leak some years ago, and they dug up the street and shoved a flexible tube up the pipe to the house and that solved the leak.

Anyone else find it Twilight Zone strange that as we progress into older age with all the various health issues that come with it, that our houses end up slowly falling apart right along with us?  

My house (and contents) have been failing at a greater rate than I am, and I worry it's my turn.

Oh Lord... please make me fast and accurate.  (The Patriot)

Of course, some people must live in newer houses.  Lucky bastards.