Any plumbers out there? 50 year old house with cracked drain pipe somewhere under it

[Steppenwolfe]

Believe it or not, but cutting concrete slabs, replacing plumbing and a re pour is not rocket science, we do this stuff everyday. The hard part is the prep work and cleanup, and perhaps a new floor. When we bought our cabin the walk out basement floor was concrete. Of course wifey wanted things different and I wanted to move the bathroom, so... we cut up the floors, hand dug new lines, and poured them back. Your buddy should be able to do the same.

 

[pmsmechanic]

Hmmmm Your in Texas. Frost is not an issue. If it's possible I would abandon the old sewer line completely and run new lines to the outside of the house and tie in to a new sewer line that you lay outside of the footing.

Next the settling foundation. Hire a mud jacker to pump mud under the footlings where necessary to level everything off. Done!

Dig a trench and cut the oak tree roots off where they are causing issues. Enjoy the trouble free house for a few years and then sell it.

Edited to add that if you go the new sewer line route and cut the cement don't neglect to check for electrical lines etc. in the cement.

 

[Molalla1]

Believe it or not, but cutting concrete slabs, replacing plumbing and a re pour is not rocket science, we do this stuff everyday. The hard part is the prep work and cleanup, and perhaps a new floor. When we bought our cabin the walk out basement floor was concrete. Of course wifey wanted things different and I wanted to move the bathroom, so... we cut up the floors, hand dug new lines, and poured them back. Your buddy should be able to do the same.

Agree . . . like you stated "it's not rocket science", find it repair it . . . it's easier these days you have all the modern tech at your disposal for very reasonable $'s.

 

[Molalla1]

Hmmmm Your in Texas. Frost is not an issue. If it's possible I would abandon the old sewer line completely and run new lines to the outside of the house and tie in to a new sewer line that you lay outside of the footing.

Next the settling foundation. Hire a mud jacker to pump mud under the footlings where necessary to level everything off. Done!

Dig a trench and cut the oak tree roots off where they are causing issues. Enjoy the trouble free house for a few years and then sell it.

Edited to add that if you go the new sewer line route and cut the cement don't neglect to check for electrical lines etc. in the cement.

I think I would have to do away with said oak tree, but running a new line . . . would be after I explored the old one.

 

[kenmac]

We use to repair slab leaks . Used a camera to try to locate approx area. saw, jack hammer will get the job done.
I would hate to own a slab house. But they are a good money maker for plumbers

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Thanks for all the tips guys! I really appreciate it.