It's 32 degrees outside this morning and, although I sit inside my new/old house warmed by the gas heat and drinking a steaming cup of coffee, I cringe and squirm as I hear sledge hammer and drill smashing against concrete and brick. Each blast sends a shiver up my spine.
Explanation....
Roots have invaded my old sewer pipe.
We discovered this problem when we had our plumbing contractor here on Hawthorne Ave. investigating a foul smell in the basement and doing some preliminary work to install a back flow valve on the sewer to prevent the city's sewage from entering our basement in times of heavy rain. GROSS. Much to our surprise, a drain in the basement was not only lying unattached over a hole in the concrete floor, that opening continued to a hole cut directly into the sewer line. REALLY GROSS !
After running a camera down the pipe we discovered the invasion of roots. In addition, running a dye test ( flushing dye down each toilet individually while scoping with the camera) we were unable to determine where the back bathroom waste water went (This includes tub, toilet, sink and washing machine waters).
All this meant time for a new sewer line. James, our friend and contractor whom we trust without question, is on the job today with Rod and the backhoe. The grinding and pounding that has me cringing is James cutting through the basement wall to run a new connection....our new plumbing pipes to a new PVC sewer line. Meanwhile Rod operates his backhoe with precision....digging up the yard.
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| The good news is that the water supply line is copper, not lead and it does not need to be replaced. |
I am told this will only be a 1 day job, after which we can wash clothes, flush and use the kitchen disposal with no worries.
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| Plumbing needs? This is who I would call. |
