Unfortunately Some Plumbers Are Like Doctors, They Bury Their Mistakes

4 Year Old House Needs Complete Sewer Line Replacement – How Can That Be? A homeowner in Queens was having recurring sewer line problems that a sewer cleaner could not solve. They needed a sewer replacement. It was very unusual because their house was only four years old, virtually brand new. Many of their neighbors were having problems as well.

After much deliberation they decided to hire a sewer contractor and correct the sewer problem once and for all. This was no easy decision as a sewer line replacement is costly, requires permits, and NYC DEP inspections. They chose Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service to perform the sewer replacement because Balkan had worked for a few of their neighbors.

Once the sewer replacement work was started it was discovered that there were many defects with the original installation:

• Instead of extra heavy cast iron pipe a no-hub service weight pipe was used inside the property line. The pipe dislodged and settled because it was joined with clamps and had no hubs for support.

• The pipe outside the property line was an inferior imported Chinese cast iron, not domestically produced extra heavy cast iron, which Balkan uses exclusively.

• The previous sewer contractor had cut the sewer gaskets in half so they could install the house sewer more easily. This is illegal and caused the sewer pipe to slip apart and fail prematurely.

• The¬† house sewer was installed back pitched as opposed to pitched from the house towards the City sewer. As sewers work by gravity, this house sewer probably never worked properly.

Balkan completely removed the prior house sewer because none of it was salvageable.   In its place domestically produced extra heavy cast iron pipe, with hubs instead of gaskets, was used for the sewer replacement. The new sewer line was laid carefully with proper pitch towards the NYC sewer to ensure it would last for many decades. Proper NYC DEP and NYC DOT permits were secured, and the new  installation was inspected and signed off.

Frequently property owners assume that because a sewer is buried that  their troubles are over. Unfortunately some plumbers are like doctors, they bury their mistakes.

About Joseph L. Balkan Inc.

Balkan Plumbing is the largest sewer and water main company in NYC. We are licensed, bonded, and insured. As a family run sewer contractor and water main contractor in operation for over 50 years, our 10 year guarantee means we continue to stand by our work after the job is done.

We are expertly equipped, from our 48,000 square foot facility to dozens of trucks, heavy moving equipment, backhoes and pneumatics. For all your sewer & water main , catch basin, fire hydrant, manhole, fire sprinkler service, water main and sewer excavation work contact Balkan Plumbing today.

Joseph L. Balkan Inc.
130-01 Jamaica Avenue Richmond Hill, NY 11418 | Phone: (718) 849-0900 | Espanol (718) 849-0900 | Fax: (718) 849-9570
www.balkanplumbing.com