Plumbing question - pipes potentially rotting in spots

[ClonerJams]

I recently had to have someone come out and clear a clog in our kitchen sink. In the process, they sent their camera down the pipe and told us it looked like the pipes are rotting in some spots. Their estimate was around 8k to replace the pipes, but it was just a ballpark figure.

For plumbers, is this something you would address ASAP? They told me I should be okay for a while if we make sure no food goes down the drain. I contacted another plumbing company as I would like a 2nd opinion, but they charge north of $300.00 to send their camera down the drain.

 

[besserheimerphat]

Pipe shouldn't "rot." In any newish house the drain lines are PVC. In old homes, iron inside and clay tile in the ground. They need to give you more details.

 

[cychhosis]

Drain pipes should not rot. If they are cast iron maybe rust out? I’d be careful dealing with these guys.

 

[CtownCyclone]

Definitely need more information. What are your drain pipes made of? I know at work, we had to pull up all the cast iron drain lines because they had corroded out and replace with PVC.

 

[cycloner29]

Older house with copper drain pipes have “rotted”. Had to tear off a couple sheets of sheeting to get to the pipe coming off the GD. Had like 2” seam the just opened up. Also had to open a wall in a closet to get the the pipe from the bathroom sink. Same issue. Recently had the flange from the base of the toilet develop a leak around the seam where it is attached the pipe. Pipe was copper also.

 

[ClonerJams]

House was built in the 80s, pipe is PVC. What they showed me to justify them rotting was what appeared to be rocks in a spot on the camera saying it was likely gravel, and the circular groove of the pipe looked black on the bottom for parts.

Sorry, not great with plumbing so this is really all the information I have to go off of.

 

[enisthemenace]

I’m not a plumber, but I’m pretty sure PVC doesn’t rot. Could joints be bad, sure, but it’s not “rotting”.

Has there been a history of freezing? Freezing and thaw can cause PVC to become brittle over time, but again…they aren’t “rotting”.

I’d likely have more questions for these folks. I know it sucks, but the $300 for a second opinion might be worth it here.

Disclaimer…as mentioned, I am NOT a plumber. I just don’t believe “rot” is the answer if you’re dealing with PVC.

 

[JM4CY]

There’s some super shady plumber outfits. I’d definitely get a second opinion. Ask some buddies if they know a good plumbing guy they trust to look at it for you. Might be worth some cash or a case of beer. Especially if you’re kinda flying blind like it sounds like.

 

[NWICY]

House was built in the 80s, pipe is PVC. What they showed me to justify them rotting was what appeared to be rocks in a spot on the camera saying it was likely gravel, and the circular groove of the pipe looked black on the bottom for parts.

Sorry, not great with plumbing so this is really all the information I have to go off of.

I'd be pretty skeptical off that. I live in a really old house and had drainage problems (old cast pipes) I sawzalled the cross pipe (not much slope) realized it had corroded shut over time. cleaned it out using a rod put it back up using a couple of rubber sleeves and it's been good ever since(a few yrs back)

I wouldn't be afraid to flush things once in a while send a whole sink full of water down occasionally bathroom, kitchen sinks, bathtub etc. Not saying it'll help but it sure won't hurt anything.

 

[JEFF420]

i had rotten cast iron when i moved into our home

**** stack

 

[DJSteve]

House was built in the 80s, pipe is PVC. What they showed me to justify them rotting was what appeared to be rocks in a spot on the camera saying it was likely gravel, and the circular groove of the pipe looked black on the bottom for parts.

Sorry, not great with plumbing so this is really all the information I have to go off of.

Are you sure it is PVC below slab / all the way to the street? My (former) house in Ames was built in 1984... all drain plumbing above grade was PVC but transitioned to cast iron just above the basement floor. It never gave me any trouble, but the person I sold house to had to break out concrete to replace the under-slab pipe to the kitchen sink. It sounded like he was friendly with a local plumbing contractor and they told him it was super common for that era/neighborhood due to low quality cast iron pipe of that timeframe.

 

[ClonerJams]

Are you sure it is PVC below slab / all the way to the street? My (former) house in Ames was built in 1984... all drain plumbing above grade was PVC but transitioned to cast iron just above the basement floor. It never gave me any trouble, but the person I sold house to had to break out concrete to replace the under-slab pipe to the kitchen sink. It sounded like he was friendly with a local plumbing contractor and they told him it was super common for that era/neighborhood due to low quality cast iron pipe of that timeframe.

From what they were showing me on the camera, it looked like PVC to me but I could be wrong. Thanks everyone for all the responses. I'll probably pay for the 2nd opinion. This is a bigger company in the area that I've read some not great things about after I had them come out, so probably worth spending for that 2nd opinion.

 

[JEFF420]

we need photos. we will help ya

I replaced my whole shitstack. behind lath and plaster. was awesome

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

we need photos. we will help ya

I replaced my whole shitstack. behind lath and plaster. was awesome

Nothing awesome about lath and plaster.

 

[JEFF420]

Nothing awesome about lath and plaster.

i actually like, imagine a building material that is still strong as hell from 1850!!!

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

i actually like, imagine a building material that is still strong as hell from 1850!!!

It's great until you have to fix it.Those dudes knew they wouldn't be alive to have to deal with it.

 

[JEFF420]

It's great until you have to fix it.Those dudes knew they wouldn't be alive to have to deal with it.

oh 100% i got some awesome horse hair in my walls

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

oh 100% i got some awesome horse hair in my walls

You're lucky there's anything in them.

 

[CYEATHAWK]

Nothing awesome about lath and plaster.

Been doing it for years so have to disagree. Plaster and lath beat's the H out of sheetrock all day every day. No tape, no sanding and no texture covering butt joint mistakes because those doing it have not the ability, or in too much of a hurry to run a level 5 finish on drywall leaving everyone with either "knockdown, orange peel or popcorn".

 

[CYEATHAWK]

oh 100% i got some awesome horse hair in my walls

Lime, sand and hair. Are your ceilings and walls still covered with wallpaper?