I'm in a bit of a bind regarding my home's sewer line. Back in 2019, I had it replaced for $20k, but the contractor didn't pull any permits, thinking I was outside city limits. Recently, another plumbing company ran a camera through my system for a different issue and found that the same problem has come back—my sewer pipe is bending again, which could cause blockages later on. The original company agreed to redo the work for free, this time with permits and an inspection, and the city has approved it. However, I'm still worried about whether it's done correctly since I haven't backfilled the trench yet and want to make sure it's solid. Now, a trusted plumber, who didn't do the original work, claims it still has issues and shouldn't have passed inspection, suggesting that I should redo it for $20k, which includes fixing another leak and some venting work. I'm torn—should I redo the work for the cost, or just hold off and see since it's currently approved? I would appreciate any thoughts!
4 Answers
Honestly, I'd suggest waiting to see if any issues come up before spending another $20k. Sometimes these systems last longer than expected and redoing everything right now may just be throwing money away. You could wait for it to fail since it might be good for a while longer, like when people hang onto old furnaces thinking they’ll last.
Just keep in mind, if something does go wrong with a sewer, it could be a lot messier and costlier than just waiting it out. Just keep an eye on it!
Whatever you do, make sure to at least get another opinion from a completely different plumber. Having multiple perspectives can help you feel secure in your decision before spending more money.
Exactly, getting a neutral inspector could save you a lot of headaches.
Yep, and it’ll ensure you're not pouring money into something that might end up being okay as is.
Sounds like your trusted plumber may just want more work. Have you figured out whether the city actually checked the work or was it a quick drive-by inspection? You could ask for a detailed inspection report to be sure.
Yeah, I think the city inspector just glanced at the photos and didn’t do a thorough check. It’s all about getting the right info from the right people.
Exactly! If the city's checks can be so flimsy, it’s worth getting a second opinion from another plumber.
I think since you got the work done for free, holding onto your funds might be the best move right now. Wait it out and see how things operate for a while. Just be sure to keep all your documentation in case you need it later.
Yeah, my 13-year-old system is still going strong. Sometimes a little TLC makes things last longer than you'd think.