Replacing a broken drain under cement foundation—do-able by homeowner.
By
on
February 6th, 2010
We live in a fifty-three year old modest tract home in Southern Calif.
The kitchen sink started to back up.
Soon, water was coming out from under the sink/cabinet.
Husband rented a commercial snake to open up what we thought was a clogged kitchen sink.
The tip of the snake kept bringing up mud/clay.
My husband felt we were opening up Pandora’s Box so I called my homeowners insurance, explained the situation and they opened a claim.
Mercury (our insurance) sent a Leak Detection Specialist who diagnosed the problem as a main drain T’d off from the bathroom tub and kitchen sink, which run directly across from each other and meet in the middle/dining room, had rusted out and the broken/rusted part of the pipe was now sitting in mud under the cement foundation.
Homeowners Insurance called me this morning and said they will pay for a camera to see the break and pay for any damage.
Other than the kitchen cabinet that is soaked (we have been drying it with two large fans for the last week), here is no damage as we caught the drain break quickly.
Twenty-two years ago the same thing happened to my parents’ home and their homeowners insurance paid for access to the drain break and to close up the foundation and replace the wood floor.My parents were responsible for paying all the plumbing work with regards to their drain break.
Unfortunately we are not so lucky.
Why pay my homeowners insurance all these years if all they will pay for is the Camera to go down and find out exactly where the break is located. Rhetorical question.I’m just venting.
It’s up to us, the homeowners, to pay for removing the wood floor, opening up the cement slab, repair the break and then pour a new section of concrete and replace the floor.
Other than the jack hammer, we have the saws, the drills and we’ve done most of the repairs in our home ourselves over the years except for the new roof.
We’ve put in all our own windows over the years, laid our own cement patio and I can put up drywall, tape, mud, sand and plaster right along side my husband.
Do any of you ‘Pros’ feel the broken drain under cement foundation is doable by a homeowner who has experience with tools and cement.
Savings was depleted when we moved my elderly parents in with us so this ‘fix’ will have to go slow.paycheck by paycheck.
Thank you for any and all advice, opinions and responses.much appreciated.
Rtc Lady
Hannah Montana says:
idk and idc.
February 6th, 2010 at 1:05 am
hipdog26 says:
Yes it is doable. If you already have the concrete saws and other tools then i say go for it. You might want to look and see if it is possable to run the drains on the outside of the foundations like if both the kitchen sink and bathroom were on outside walls. Just something to think about.
Just remember to when you open you fondation make the alot bigger than you think you need and then ad a couple of feet to that. This will make the repairs alot easier for you.
February 6th, 2010 at 1:39 am
rick z says:
Yes it’s doable. You need to make sure you get the correct repair couplings (for your type of pipe), as the pipes are immobile for sliding regular couplings on. If your not sure what to use, go to a plumbing supply house. Givethem as much info as you can.Most importantly, there will most likely be a plumber standing in line with you. Do not trust your local experts at HD or Lowe’s. I could just scream when i read on here when people suggest “go talk the experts at Home Depot”. Now that’s funny.
February 6th, 2010 at 2:17 am