My house is on a cement slab. There is a blockage in the drain from the washing machine. How best to fix it?
I’ve gotten different advice from two plumbers. One wants to jackhammer up the entire floor just to follow the drain from the washer. Is there a company that specializes in a problem like this?
roto rooter!!!! or a pipe snake. that’s the only way screw the plumbers. they want to do whatever gets them the most money. dude, listen to me. if it’s just a clog call roto rooter. they’ll come out and snake it for $100 they have special snakes with little lights and cameras. they can diagnose it if they can’t fix it. they’ll be in and out in 15 min.
That is the entire problem of having a house on a slab. They have to jackhammer the floor to fix the problem. What if there is a break in the pipe? Eventually, they have to dig up the floor. Sorry.
Try a snake first, but let someone experienced do it! They can be dangerous if not handled properly.
Can you snake it out? I’d find another plumber before jackhammering my foundation. What does the other plumber reccomend?
You might be able to fix this yourself. Go to a rental place such as United Rentals and ask for a snake. It has a small motor and a coiled cable that is slowly fed down the pipe to the blockage. I can’t think of any blockage that would be so bad to require something as dramatic as tearing into your slab to replace the pipe.
My first choice would be to put one of the rubber stopper things in the pipe that is attached to a hose and inflates to block the pipe and water comes out the other side to push on the blockage.
Next, I would fine someone who can put a TV camera down the line and see what they see. It will cost $100-200 but that is cheaper than ripping up the concrete and if they do the repair job if needed, they might give you some of the cost back. If the problem is in the line under the yard and not under the house, there is no point in breaking concrete.
Call Roto Rooter. A block in the drain can be cleared through the pipe. Depending on how far the block is, you could do it yourself with a snake. The only thing I can think of that will be extensive is if you have a tree who’s roots are causing the problem.
Go to a tool rental hardware place and rent an electric snake. You will likely need one helper. The snake will come with about 200 foot of 6 to 8 foot sections. Since you will be renting this snake you might as well run a good bit of it down your drain to get your monies worth. roto root it good. They normaly rent for about 40 bux a day. Roto Rooter company will do it but it will cost a lot more than 40 bux. The guy at the tool rental place will show you how to use the snake. They run in forward for in and reverse for out. Make sure your going in the right direction. Pictures of electric drain augers below. Good luck. I rented one a few years back and haven’t had a problem since.
that pipe comes out somewhere try access from the other end and push or pull from that end………….tom
Before you destroy your slab, either rent a power snake or have a plumbing contractor do it for you. Nine times out of ten this should take care of the problem. If not, make sure you hire a reputable plumbing outfit to do the repairs. Some ideas for finding one in your area are:
Ask the better buisness bureau
Contact the contractors association
Go to the lumber yard and ask them. I don’t mean Lowe’s, Home Depot or any chain stores, I mean a real lumber yard. Believe it or not, these guys will know who’s good and who’s not.
Good luck!
out side the house you have a clean out opening start there but don’t jack hammer the floor try Drano first pour it in the drain let it sit about 1 hour then pour some water into pipe it will probably work first time use hot water , then put some water in washer then put it on final spin that should clear it out
good luck