Sewer problems....Video

[wdbgelaundromat]

So I have always had problems with the sewer lines at my 30+ year old store. We have them hydro-jetted every 4 months. Well this time we had a different company come and they camera snaked our lines before they jetted them. I know at some point I well need to replace all the lines. I hope that is at least 1 year away. I think if you are going to replace sewer lines you migh as well do a whole remodel.

My question is with all the change and jewlery that are clogging my lines, I wonder if it would help cover some of the costs?

here is a link to the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03N2jiknpr0

[Jefflange]

wheres the after video.

[merlin3]

I'd like to see the after jetting footage.

[wdbgelaundromat]

Sorry guys I dont have the after footage. I didnt get it copied off the plumbers computer. I can tell you that it did a pretty good job but it doesnt get everything. Given the age of my pipes they don't use full pressure. They only got up to about 3000psi. Some of the clumps of coins are so calcified they could not be broken up.

[ldm]

I know very little about plumbing codes in your area, or why piping might not last as long...but if these are cast iron or pvc drain lines, it is not uncommon to have them last 40 years plus in CA. Tree roots, bad grade, offsets, are some problems that cause recurring stoppages.

Before you replace the system, you might consider having it cleared with a proper sized main line mechanical snake / head while flushing the system, and then cleaned with a pressure washer...this should get you a good look at the actual condition via the camera. Having them cleaned every 4 months makes me suspect there is a problem area in the drain line...roots, offset, or what have you.

[bodman]

That was neat wish you had the after shot. I have a p-trap on my main row of large washers and I have to vacuum out the coins and knives, nail clippers, credit cards. afro pick, and jewelry I do this every 6 months . I waited a year this time and ended uphaving to chissle out the debris using the hanger pole from laundry cart, with the hose from a shop vac down in the line. The homeless love to dig thru the mess that I dump out.

[MrMachine]

I know very little about plumbing codes in your area, or why piping might not last as long...but if these are cast iron or pvc drain lines, it is not uncommon to have them last 40 years plus in CA. Tree roots, bad grade, offsets, are some problems that cause recurring stoppages.

Before you replace the system, you might consider having it cleared with a proper sized main line mechanical snake / head while flushing the system, and then cleaned with a pressure washer...this should get you a good look at the actual condition via the camera. Having them cleaned every 4 months makes me suspect there is a problem area in the drain line...roots, offset, or what have you.

I agree with IDM,

Your pipes may not need to be changed at all. Water jetting by itself will not do much at all for this problem. Water jetting works best for lines that are clogged with grease and gunk, such as from a Chinese restaurant.

What I believe you need to do is to have the lines snaked with a double sided C-shaped cutting blade to break up those calcifications. Being that your line is so calcified, the sewer mechanic will need to start with a small blade first, then you waterjet the line to flush it all through.
Your line is heavily blocked, so you will probably need to repeat the snaking and water jetting a couple of times, eventually working your way up to the proper sized cutting blade for that line.

Once it's clear, then all you need to do is to snake it once a year with the proper sized blade for maintenance...No costly water jetting necessary anymore.

By the way...A good sewer mechanic will always snake first before he waterjets. If your sewer mechanic says that he can't snake the line, then call another company.....He may be stringing you along with these frequent and costly waterjetting jobs.

[Adamski]

wdbge...

I've replaced most of my old, cast iron sewer lines with PVC lines. In removing the old cast iron, I came across sections that had the coins and pins rusted to the pipe after years of setting there. This problem is most common in traps and bends. I can tell you that, even with hammer and chissel, it is difficult to dislodge these piles of debrie. I don't think any sewer snake is effective in removing coins, nails and pins that have rusted to the sides of cast iron pipe.

Sewer cleaning guys are a little like snake oil salesmen. They can claim anything and it's difficult to prove them wrong because we seldom can see their work.

[MrMachine]

Larry,

You'd be amazed at what a good cutting head on a commercial snake can cut through. I've had them do some old lines and I filled two 5 gallon buckets with coins, lime, rusty scale, nails and gunk out of my slopsink right afterwards.
We are talking about nearly 100lbs of hard crud that came out of these pipes.

That said, I would also favor changing to PVC. With PVC, you'll never get those kinds of buildups. You better check your code though. PVC is not allowed here in NYC.

[mellofelow]

Holy crap!!! That's looks like my colonoscopy. Maybe I need a snake up my arse.