|
10-25-2009, 07:21 PM
|
|
|
|
Location: Back in the Mitten. Formerly NC
3,831 posts, read 6,310,262 times
Reputation: 5348
|
|
|
I am having a plumbing problem. I am hesitant to call it into my home warranty because last time I did that (and paid $75), it was not covered. Not only do I not want to waste $75, but I'd likely have to get out of work early and since I am a teacher, that mean getting a sub, writing sub plans, etc... All for them to possibly tell me that can't help. If they can help, that is fine. If they can't, I'll call a plumber. I just don't want to go through the ordeal twice 
The problem:
Over the summer, I had problems with toilets flushing. Turned out I had a bad sewage ejector pump. It was not covered by the home warranty, so I paid $75 for them to tell me that and another $1600 to have it replaced.
Now, the drains in my bathtubs are not draining. Water stands forever- it can take up to 10-15 minutes to drain after a shower. The problem is ONLY in the bathtubs.
I have tried unclogging them- there is no hair (or at least as far as I could check). I have tried Drano- it worked for about 2 days. The problem started 6-8 weeks ago and has gotten progressively worse. I didn't realize the other bathtub had the same problem until this weekend. It is only used every 2-3 months when family visits.
What could be causing this??? And, would it be something IN the house (and therefore covered by my warranty) or OUTSIDE of the house (which I would have to pay out of pocket for).
TIA |
|
10-25-2009, 08:12 PM
|
|
|
|
Location: Cary, NC
41,223 posts, read 71,523,332 times
Reputation: 42835
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by jaynarie
I am having a plumbing problem. I am hesitant to call it into my home warranty because last time I did that (and paid $75), it was not covered. Not only do I not want to waste $75, but I'd likely have to get out of work early and since I am a teacher, that mean getting a sub, writing sub plans, etc... All for them to possibly tell me that can't help. If they can help, that is fine. If they can't, I'll call a plumber. I just don't want to go through the ordeal twice
The problem:
Over the summer, I had problems with toilets flushing. Turned out I had a bad sewage ejector pump. It was not covered by the home warranty, so I paid $75 for them to tell me that and another $1600 to have it replaced.
Now, the drains in my bathtubs are not draining. Water stands forever- it can take up to 10-15 minutes to drain after a shower. The problem is ONLY in the bathtubs.
I have tried unclogging them- there is no hair (or at least as far as I could check). I have tried Drano- it worked for about 2 days. The problem started 6-8 weeks ago and has gotten progressively worse. I didn't realize the other bathtub had the same problem until this weekend. It is only used every 2-3 months when family visits.
What could be causing this??? And, would it be something IN the house (and therefore covered by my warranty) or OUTSIDE of the house (which I would have to pay out of pocket for).
TIA |
I betcha the traps are partially clogged with a buildup of hair and soap scum.
Draino is not the answer.
Is the plumbing accessible from underneath, like a basement without a finished ceiling? |
|
10-25-2009, 10:42 PM
|
|
|
|
22,259 posts, read 65,546,228 times
Reputation: 44730
|
|
|
You have a clogged drum trap (or two). Those are in the house. Call in the warranty people and have the traps replaced with P traps. Even if you clear a drum trap, it'll just clog again in time. P traps are self-cleaning (more or less).
|
|
10-26-2009, 12:25 AM
|
|
|
|
28,005 posts, read 60,675,971 times
Reputation: 22923
|
|
|
99% it's a hair clog... I cleared two today at my rentals.
Be careful with strong drain cleaners if you have cast iron pipes... I've seen a lot a damaged plumbing from drain cleaners.
Best investment I made was a Spartan hand held electric drain snake... it has 35' of cable that takes care of all my drain problems except for roots...
Home warranties vary... most do not cover drain blockages in my experience... they are good if the water heater goes or something similar.
Ejector Pumps usually require the purchase of additional coverage... just like swimming pool pumps.
|
|
10-26-2009, 09:03 AM
|
|
|
|
Location: Johns Creek, GA
16,626 posts, read 61,366,605 times
Reputation: 21709
|
|
|
So, before the ejector pump was replaced the tub drains worked fine?
Does both gray and black water drain to the ejector?
If not traps, maybe vent stacks? You could have a vent stack clogged- not allowing enough air in for drainage flow.
|
|
10-26-2009, 12:24 PM
|
|
|
|
Location: Visitation between Wal-Mart & Home Depot
8,307 posts, read 37,702,991 times
Reputation: 7175
|
|
|
Clogged vents would be an excellent starting point. Birds and mud daubers love to restrict plumbing vents.
By the way, has anyone had a positive experience with a home warranty? Positive defined as "I didn't lose money on the warranty".
|
|
10-26-2009, 01:16 PM
|
|
|
|
28,005 posts, read 60,675,971 times
Reputation: 22923
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by jimboburnsy
Clogged vents would be an excellent starting point. Birds and mud daubers love to restrict plumbing vents.
By the way, has anyone had a positive experience with a home warranty? Positive defined as "I didn't lose money on the warranty".
|
I know two people that had new water heaters installed under Home Warranties...  |
|
10-26-2009, 03:27 PM
|
|
|
|
6,034 posts, read 10,329,995 times
Reputation: 3986
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ultrarunner
I know two people that had new water heaters installed under Home Warranties... |
Yeah, but how long did they pay for the warranty, and how much?  |
|
10-26-2009, 04:11 PM
|
|
|
|
28,005 posts, read 60,675,971 times
Reputation: 22923
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mercury Cougar
Yeah, but how long did they pay for the warranty, and how much? |
Both had warranties paid for the Realtor/Seller when they bought...
Both heaters failed in the first year... |
|
10-26-2009, 08:22 PM
|
|
|
|
Location: A little suburb of Houston
3,702 posts, read 17,612,535 times
Reputation: 2089
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by jimboburnsy
Clogged vents would be an excellent starting point. Birds and mud daubers love to restrict plumbing vents.
By the way, has anyone had a positive experience with a home warranty? Positive defined as "I didn't lose money on the warranty".
|
Yeah, got a new AC/Heating System after mine failed. Saved a couple grand thanks to the warranty. |
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
|
|
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
