just got a call from my wife, the toilet and tub are filling up with black water. I live in the city so no septic system.....called roto router and they may be able to get someone out there today...but probably tomorrow. in a house with one bathroom. Looks like I will be spending the night at my parents house. (that isn't that bad, could be a lot, lot worse) I was having a good birthday till now. any ideas what could cause this? I am thinking something got flushed that shouldn't have been.
Could be but could be anything blocking the line from the whole street being messed up to roots in the outside lines to a simple clog inside the house.
Yep, sounds like something in the line. I had a similar problem at my rental house last summer. Tenant calls with the same as you described. I called a plumber I had used before...he ran a snake down it and it kept coming back with a bit of bark on it. He instantly figures that I have a root that has grown through the pipe and says he is going to have to dig to get to the pipe, replace, yada, yada. Quotes me anywhere from 3 to 6 grand. I got a second opinion. Second plumber comes out and works it hard and the clog clears. He then runs a scope and says all clear, $380. A second look never hurts. Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY! have a beer, it will be better afterwards
That sounds like a backup from outside the house, maybe off the property. Have someone check the cleanout by the street, see if you have a dry line. And ask your neighbors if they are having the same or similar problem. You may be below grade of someone else haveng a VERY bad day. Of course, it could be a simple clog right outside of your house. We had a similar problem, turned out to be a feminine product lodged in a fitting. $375 locating fee and $50 snake rental it was gone. She doesn't flush those things any more, and we don't have any clogs. Funny how that works out.
It really is a birthday present - it happened during the day on a Monday. If it wasn't your birthday, it would have happened on a weekend or holiday when there is a premium on a service call.
A router is for a computer. I once wrote a song called "Anal Intruder" and one of the lyrics was "Anal intruder! Just like roto rooter!" Happy birthday.
My buddy called me one day to help him with some clogged drains. I have a high pressure waterjet we use at work for pipe jetting that I trailered there. Turns out he put about 50 lemon peels down his disposal back to back. He was making homebrew lemon cello. Guy is an engineer, I never thought he would of pulled that off. I was like hey dumbfuck, that pipe doesn't just go to never-never land. Throw that shit in the trash.
I would also like to add, never underestimate the value of owning your own large shop-vac. My ridgid has saved my ass quite a few times.
well called another service, hour and 120 bucks later I am fixed. lots of tree roots and some female products in the line. the service guy said it wasn't bad compared to what most of the calls are.
By the way, your ol lady owes you a 'you fixed the house' relation. I'm talking about the type of 'relations' that would make porn stars blush. You should demand it, and hold her to it. Then THAT....would be a happy birthday. .........
