Main Sewer Line

[captaincrab55]

Looking for a Plumber in Charlotte NC for my daughter. Her sewer line settled and pulled apart... She needs 50' of line replaced that's 18" to 24" deep, First estimate is over $1500 and 50% pay-cut has crushed the bank... If she lived in Maryland, my backhoe would take a ride...

 

[kenmac]

Looking for a Plumber in Charlotte NC for my daughter. Her sewer line settled and pulled apart... She needs 50' of line replaced that's 18" to 24" deep, First estimate is over $1500 and 50% pay-cut has crushed the bank... If she lived in Maryland, my backhoe would take a ride...

That could be dug by hand. It's not that deep. Is the pipe ductile iron or PVC ? Around here dutcile iron is required for sewer. PVC for septic tank

 

[captaincrab55]

That could be dug by hand. It's not that deep. Is the pipe ductile iron or PVC ? Around here dutcile iron is required for sewer. PVC for septic tank

I did a test pit on the pipe Easter weekend and it's cast iron pipe... It could be hand dug, but if I drive down for a weekend-end repair time goes fast.. Hand digging and the gout don't mix well.. I did give thought to flying my son in from Boston, if she can't get a reasonable price... Her first quote was on PVC replacement.. LOWES in Charlotte carries all needed parts for less then $130....

 

[Kays Supply]

Have you checked on renting a small machine to do the work? A Terramite backhoe would be perfect for that job. If settling was a problem be sure and have some packable fill ready to correct the cause.

 

[captaincrab55]

Have you checked on renting a small machine to do the work? A Terramite backhoe would be perfect for that job. If settling was a problem be sure and have some packable fill ready to correct the cause.

My daughter priced one early this morning, but one must return it on Saturday by noon or pay till Monday... Looking for a Rental Center that's open on Sunday...

 

[CurlyDave]

If the $1500 estimate is for the complete job, with a warranty, I suspect you will be hard pressed to do better than that.

When you think about travel costs, time off from work, etc. the side costs start to add up quick.

That new pipe is not going to jump in the trench and hook itself up, and if it has been leaking since before Easter the trench is not going to be like working in the Garden of Eden.

The other option might be to rent the machine at close of business on Saturday and return first thing Monday.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I agree $1500 sounds great for a quality job.

 

[captaincrab55]

I agree $1500 sounds great for a quality job.

$1500 was the rough estimate over the phone.. They needed to put a camera down the pipe before giving a written estimate... Now they want $2300 to replace 16' of pipe and additional footage would be more...

 

[scesnick]

The other option might be to rent the machine at close of business on Saturday and return first thing Monday.

That is always my strategy...

 

[Kays Supply]

I am a plumbing contractor. I just replaced 25' of the hardest to get to pipe I have ever seen. I had two concrete porches, two cable vision lines, two water lines, two air conditioners, a criscross of gas lines and tree roots as big as your leg. I did it by the hour and it cost the customer $1250. I don't work cheap. I had my own machine and and another plumber on the job. I could almost drive out and do your job for $2300.