Emergency plumbing
Drain diagnostics
Hydro jetting
Sewer line repair
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Homeowners
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Renovations & restoration
A sewer camera that cleared the pipe and found the toilet.
A Richmond homeowner thought the sewer line was blocked. A camera showed the 60-foot line was in good shape. The real problem was a toilet that had been reinstalled with a poor seal during a renovation.
The sewer line was fine.
We ran a camera from the backyard cleanout along the sewer line to the house, about 60 feet. There were no cracks, breaks or other problems.
With the line ruled out, we looked inside. The first-floor toilet had been replaced during a renovation some time ago, and its wax seal had failed. We replaced the seal, reinstalled the toilet and load-tested it with water: no leaks.
Checking the storm drains too.
We came back to look at the storm drains around the house. We camera-inspected both sides of the house through the cleanouts we had installed earlier, and from the sump at the property line.
There was some debris in the storm branch to the street sump, but water was flowing. We recommended a hydro flush if the budget allows, and keeping an eye on it during heavy rain.
Rule out the expensive answer first.
A camera inspection can save a homeowner from digging up a sewer line that doesn’t need it.
Camera the sewer
Inspect the line from the backyard cleanout to the house.Look inside
Check fixtures once the line is ruled out.Fix the seal
Replace the toilet’s wax seal and load test it.Check the storm side
Inspect the storm drains and recommend next steps.No dig needed.
The sewer line was in good shape, and the problem was fixed with a new toilet seal. The storm drains are flowing, with a recommendation on file for a future flush.
60-foot sewer line inspected, no defects
Failed toilet wax seal replaced and tested
Storm drains inspected on a return visit
Hydro flush recommended for the storm branch
Start with the problem. We will help plan the next step.
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