Local Plumbing Excavation: What Homeowners Need To Know
Being in the sewer line business for over 80 years means we’ve heard and seen a lot regarding plumbing, both good and bad. There are certain things our team believes every homeowner should know regarding their sewer lines.
If you ever have questions, please let our team know. Garvin’s Plumbing and Sewer strives to be who you think of when considering the need for ethical plumbing excavation.
The Good We’ve Seen In Plumbing And Excavating
After performing sewer line services, our team has witnessed many positive outcomes for local homeowners across Englewood and surrounding areas.
Constant Sewer Back Ups: The Case Of The Flushed Toy
The homeowner likely didn’t see it as good, but after several repeated sewer back-ups, this Denver homeowner decided to have our company put a sewer scope in the line to see what was going on. We knew roots weren’t the culprit (as they often are), and we also didn’t find any mud, signifying a broken line.
Our team was surprised to see a toy car had somehow perfectly wedged itself at a bend in the sewer line. This issue caused the debris that would normally have passed through the line to stop and dam up, creating a blockage.
While this was incredibly frustrating for the homeowner, they were thankful for the easy fix provided by our experts. We used a high-pressure water jet to blast the toy out of its place and through the line.
The Case Of The Superheroes
Did we call ourselves superheroes? Yes. Yes, we did.
This isn’t just a single case, and we are absolutely tooting our own horn! Our company has been asked on several occasions to provide a second opinion or second look at a sewer scope video.
In doing this, our team has saved customers thousands of dollars by cleaning a line rather than repairing or replacing it.
The Bad We’ve Seen In Plumbing Excavation Services
Unfortunately, we see more unpleasant outcomes to sewer line issues than good ones.
Most of the time, these bad results fall under what we consider an oversold sewer line replacement from technicians without the proper knowledge and skills. Our team is here to correct these issues, leaving a positive impression on your plumbing system.
The Case Of The Oversold Sewer Line Replacement
Sadly, our team has seen this situation often. It occurs when the affected homeowner or home buyer feels pressured to make a replacement. These situations often involve an unskilled sewer scope technician or home inspector.
The Sewer Line Is Fine: The Case Of The “Weekend Home Inspector”
In one case, a home inspector told the homeowner that the line was broken. When the realtor sent us the video for a free second opinion, we saw no problems with the line.
The inspector saw a connection point with a gasket and because of his lack of plumbing knowledge, mistakenly reported the line as broken and in need of repair.
Ignorance is not bliss. This issue created tension for the would-be buyer, seller and affected real estate agents.
The Case Of The Questionable Drain Cleaner
In this case, a drain technician was cleaning a sewer line when his cable broke inside it. This happens from time to time. While it mostly can be prevented through machine maintenance, it can occur as a fluke or pure accident.
It was bad enough that the tech broke his cable in the line, but what is so wrong is that he told the customer they needed a sewer line repair and quoted them about $20,000.
When we performed a camera inspection, we were able to see there wasn’t a break, but rather a cable in the line. The company that sent out the tech was responsible for retrieving it at no cost to the customer.
The Worst-Case Scenario Sewer Line Repair
Some of our competitors try to sell a sewer line repair or replacement when there is a belly or roots in the line. We disagree. We believe they can be maintained at a fraction of the cost.
We often see companies who can’t fix sewer line problems, don’t want to fix them or are dishonest about the severity of the issue to get the upsell of a repair.
They sell the worst-case scenario, blaming a sewer line break, root intrusion or low spot (belly) as an excuse to upcharge a repair. Dishonest companies may use homeowners’ lack of knowledge about plumbing against them.
Garvin’s doesn’t recommend excavation unless it’s essential — even if our competitors feel differently. We’re committed to doing what’s best for our customers, and sometimes, sewer line repair is manageable.
The Solution For Ethical Plumbing Excavation
Garvin’s is here to educate local homeowners on the ins and outs of their plumbing system. Our passion for serving you is why we have been in business for over 80 years.
Here are five quick tips to keep you safe from poor or unnecessary sewer line repairs:
- If you feel pressured, overwhelmed or unsure about an excavation repair, pause and get a second opinion.
- If you are experiencing repeat problems, consider a sewer scope service to identify the root issue.
- If you aren’t experiencing repeat problems and are told you need a repair or replacement instead of cleaning, get a second opinion. The main symptom of a broken line is a complete inability to use it.
- Use a reputable company, such as Garvin’s. Using a company that is licensed and insured means you are protected by a permit and inspection that meets the requirements of your municipality, which is important for property value.
If you’re unsure about the state of your sewer line and require a second opinion, Garvin’s Plumbing and Sewer is here to assist you. Contact our experts for reliable help with your excavation sewer line repairs.
