Sewer Pipe under Shed Blocked

turbo77 on 02/02/2016 - 22:42

So my sink and bath pipes have started to backup water. Tried the plunger but it made it worst, i called the local plumber and advised me he will need to get the snake tool with camera.

Went to the backyard sewer pipe inspection hole and there was a lot of water in it where is shouldn't be. Got his snake thingy out and just about only 2m it hit something just right under the shed door concrete slab, on the viewer screen u can see a tiny hole of light.

He was adamant that the slab is broken and damaged the pipe, he didn't mention it could be the huge pine tree roots could be the cause that right next to the shed. He advise the shed shouldn't be built on the pipe line either.

my house was built in 2001 and came with the shed so i dont know if the shed was build the same time as the house or after.

I questioned him if the slab managed to give way and damage the pipe wouldnt there be sagging from the leaking water ( used a spirit level and is leveled)

in the end has told me i have to rip my shed off and remove the whole slab as well. As the service line is dead straight i think maybe a better option would be removing the concrete around the front and inside the shed.

any opinions please.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Davo1111 on 03/02/2016 - 06:11
    +1

    why did you put a camera up there first when you could have snaked it?

  • DarkOz on 03/02/2016 - 07:14
    +2

    The first and most important thing is locating the blockage and the plumber had done just that with a camera to show. It's pointless to talk about the shed being built on top of the sewage pipeline unless you want to relocate it.

    You need to get a second assessment because you don't sound convinced. After that get a third quote and decide on the best quote to your satisfaction.

    • StewBalls on 03/02/2016 - 10:09
      +2

      ^This.

      With all trades you need at least 3x quotes unless you know the tradie really well…especially plumbers! ;)

  • oscargamer on 03/02/2016 - 08:04
    +1

    How deep is the pipe?

    Depending on the site, it's easy to put in a new pipe that goes around the slab and existing blockage and reconnect either end of the slab.

    • Ryanek on 03/02/2016 - 08:22
      +6

      Ah nice, thinking outside the shed.

  • mskeggs on 03/02/2016 - 09:36
    +1

    Maybe the pipe is damaged, but it seems far fetched - what is the mechanism for this to occur? if the shed floor is flat how did the force to crush the pipe get applied?
    Sounds impossible to me. Get another plumber out to clear it. These days, they use a high pressure Jetta attachment to blast everything out. If it is roots this will clear easily.

    • oscargamer on 03/02/2016 - 11:09

      you can clear small roots with a HP jet, but they come back and the pipe will be broken

      only worth doing if you are prepared to jet it every year or two

  • zealmax on 03/02/2016 - 10:40

    I used to have a house that had a lot of trees. Had to get the plumber out every year to clear the roots that penetrated the clay pipes. It was an old house and the pipes were for storm water. Now I stay clear of any trees that have trees.

    • pjetson on 03/02/2016 - 11:40
      +2

      Now I stay clear of any trees that have trees.

      That sounds like a good idea :-)

      • oscargamer on 03/02/2016 - 11:44

        yeh, those damn trees that have trees…..

        • StewBalls on 03/02/2016 - 12:28

          It's just a hat on a hat…

      • zealmax on 03/02/2016 - 15:28

        LOL

    • Davo1111 on 03/02/2016 - 23:09

      We had the same issue. I let the pipe dry out and poured poison down there. (used a hose to bypass the Ubend)

      A few days later a tree started to die. So I cut it out and killed the stump.

      Havent had any problems since then.

      • Spending2Much on 04/02/2016 - 03:12

        Copper sulphate from the stock feeds always works well.

  • anna10 on 09/02/2016 - 19:29

    The previous owners at my house had also built a concrete slab and brick shed over the sewer. I got the guy with the camera and he isolated the problem right in the middle of the concrete floor. My excellent plumber jackhammer into it, cleaned out the blocked pipe and then put on inspection pit in the middle of the floor. I still have to get the old clay pipes eels out occasionally.

    I would've thought that the sewer was deep enough not to be bothered by a concrete slab over the top

  • emiko on 28/02/2016 - 17:49

    Anna 10 are you in Sydney ? How much was your plumber charge ? Could you give me the contact of plumber ?

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