I need some advice. I hired someone to clean my main line in the San Bernardino mountains. $395. Plumber called and said his snake had broken off in the pipe probably because it was tangled up in some roots? that he tried to insinuate was my fault. He said he would have to dig it up to retrieve his snake at $3000 to $4000, maybe less.
Is this really my problem? Shouldn’t that be the plumber’s responsibility? If he won’t accept responsibility and says he will leave the snake in the pipe unless I pay him what are my options? I am meeting him tomorrow. Sounds hinky.
I did call another plumber and he said if he had to retrieve the snake he would do that and install a clean out for $1200.
Confused.
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This is the original plumbers fault. He needs to get his snake out of the drain. There is an attachment called a retrever or something like that that will do just that with the snake. Broken by roots??? Why then are they called rooters? Either the original plumber gets it out or you have somebody else do it and go to small claims. Is he licensed. If not initiate a complaint with CSLB. Ask him if the $3000 to $4000 job comes with a reach around.
You want the snake out. you also want empty pipes that let stuff flow, and that are not leaking.
At this point, you can either pay the first guy, or have the second guy do the job. (or get another estimate)
Be aware that either one may not be the end of the story.
it is possible that the pipe has severe problems, and more of it needs to be dug up and replaced. (perhaps right away, or perhaps something you can put off for a while, but not forever)(which you would find out after the second guy does what he has planned)
Does your second guy plan to dig up the yard, or install a cleanout inside the house?
It is possible that the first guy lost control of his equipment on some tree roots, but it is also possible that it grabbed the edge of some pipe.
Did you sign an estimate before he started the $395 job? If so, it is likely that you signed an agreement which indicates that this is was an estimate........ blah blah blah. ......and in the end, it is your property, and your problem....
The more I think about this the more it seems like a con. Call the CSLB
Do you mean the CSLB?
https://www.cslb.ca.gov/
Indeed I do.
I've had it happen to my home. The combination of a large sycamore tree and old 4" clay pipe. A chunk of pipe got caught in snake. Ended up routing new ABS around the drip line of tree and connecting to clay pipe at curb. That lasted for 10 years until we lined the clay pipe in the street. These were a lot of years ago (maybe 10) and both were not cheap $6K for ABS and $4K for lining. In Arcadia, CA
Tangled up in some roots? Why then do the big boys us "rooter" in their names?