Frequently Asked Questions About Sewer Repair © 2009 Robinson Plumbing, Inc. Do all Plumbers Have to Have a License? Yes. First, we send a Licensed Plumber with experience in the plumbing industry with many years of experience and expertise in the plumbing field. All of our plumbers and staff members are Master Licensed Plumbers. Therefore other plumbing companies may use unlicensed plumbers which in the state of Goergia anyone performing plumbing service work is required by law to have a Plumbing License. Always check to be sure that your plumber has their Plumbing License. What Type of Warranty Do Plumbing Companies Offer? We offer 10-20 Year Warranties. And we also offer a variety of service plans available year-round to keep your plumbing and heating up and running. How Long Does it Take to Schedule an Appointment with a Plumber? Some companies will put you on a waiting list or hold, until the first available plumber is able to service your account. We offer Same-Day Service, 100% Guranteed or your service is free. Are all Your Plumbing Appointments Met? Yes. Our goal at Robinson Plumbing is to build a great plumbing and heating relationship with our customers- therefore we stride to meet each and every appointment made on time! How Do Plumbers Charge? Most plumbers prefer to charge hourly rates because their salary is based on commission, therefore it runs it runs the cost of the job up tremendously. Robinson Plumbing offers a standard flat-rate agreement, and stands behind the agreement 100% - therefore there are no unforeseen and uneccessary charges. All of our licensed plumbers at Robinson Plumbing are salary emplyees. We encourage you to compare our pricing with other plumbing companies and also our warranty! How Are Sewer Repairs Performed? First a licensed technician performs a complete diagnostic to determine whether the whole sewer line needs to be replaced or whether it's just a broke fitting that needs to be replaced, which in most instances is the problem. A section of pipe that has shifted over time- a pipe that has been damaged ("collapsed" or "sheared" over time) is the most common problem encountered. These types of problems are commonly caused by backhoe operators who over dig. If the sewer pipe does not lay flat on bed dirt then over time it will eventually crack, causing a "belly" in the pipe. In turn, the technician performs a Video Inspection- which uses a camera to pinpoint the depth, where the problem is located, and the severity of the problem. At that time they approximate the length of pipe needed to fix the problem (normally about 5 feet or less), how long it will take to fix (usually just a few hours), and agree on an agreeable cost (typically around $800). NOTE: There are some companies, from franchises- who are based on commission sales. These sewer repair sales technicians will typically recommend that the entire sewer pipe be replaced- as opposed to a Spot Repair. The difference in cost can be astronomical. How Long Does Sewer Repair Take? Typically, spot repair sewer repair takes 2-3 hours, including setup, video-in-pipe, diagnostics and performance of the repair. Full sewer pipe replacement can take days- although many jobs may be done in a day. What is the Average Cost of Sewer Repair? Typically around $800 for a spot repair. NOTE: "Trenchless" technologies are also performed, at many multiple times of the typical cost. They are used as a means of inflating sewer repair prices, and typically offer no real benefit to the consumer. Will Repairing My Sewer Tear Up My Lawn? In cases where lawn quality issues are a concern extra measures may be employed. This includes special mats, plyboard, and other measures that only experienced operators can ensure. Is Sewer Repair Dangerous? Sewer repair is dangerous in aspects of environmental damage, including stipulations enforced by local Health Departments. For instance a property can be condemned if there exists raw sewage- for potential of bacteria causing multiple deseases. In terms of the equipment used, a lot of the "Taps" are located at depths up to up 20 or more feet. This poses potential problems for ditch cave-in, in addition to worker saftey. Therefore, "Shore Boxes" and "Trench Boxes" (usually 5 feet wide) may be employed. Saftey is Always Number One!