Sewer repair · Carlos Ruiz
Main line backup, roots in a clay sewer
Carlos and Elena Ruiz, married with three kids. Carlos is handy and met you at the door, and Elena is home too.
What you know walking in
Service call. Toilets and the hall tub are backing up, and sewage came up in the shower drain this morning. Single-story home built in 1968. Exterior cleanout by the front hose bib. Not a member.
- 4-inch clay sewer lateral, about 70 feet to the city sewer, 58 yrs
- Exterior sewer cleanout at the front of the house
What you found
- Roots are growing into the line at two joints about 38 and 44 feet from the cleanout, under the front lawn near the ash tree. They caused today's backup.
- The joint at 44 feet is offset about half an inch and cracked. Roots and soil get in there, and no amount of clearing closes it.
- The rest of the clay line has tight joints with no roots, cracks, or sags, from the house to 35 feet and from 47 feet to the city connection.
- The line is clear and draining after the root cutting. The house is usable today.
Your price book for this job
Root clearing only
Cable and root-cutter clearing done today · Camera video of the full line · Roots will grow back, usually within 6 to 18 months
$495
Spot repair of the root section Fits this home
Root clearing done today · Excavate and replace about 10 feet of clay with PVC · Shielded couplings at both ends · Permit and inspection · Backfill and compaction · Camera video after the repair
$5,400
or $135/mo
Trenchless lining of the full lateral
Root clearing done today · Hydro jet the line to prepare it for lining · Epoxy liner from the cleanout to the city connection · No excavation in the lawn · Permit and camera video after lining
$13,800
or $345/mo
The honest fit is marked. Recommend what the home needs, and only that.
Your goal
Show the footage so both Carlos and Elena understand why the line backed up, and present clearing, spot repair, and lining honestly. Recommend the spot repair, handle the brother-in-law without arguing, and help them decide together.
Difficulty: Tough
Plan you can offer
- Summit Care Club$19.95 a month
Speak naturally. Carlos hears you, reacts to how you say things, and remembers. Headphones make it feel real.