SewerOwner

Preparing for a contractor visit

A contractor arriving at your property has perhaps thirty minutes and a set of questions they need answered. The more of those you have answered before they arrive, the more of the visit goes into looking at the actual problem.

What this page cannot establish

  • preparation does not establish what is wrong
  • SewerOwner cannot tell you what the visit should conclude
  • these questions are for understanding, not for challenging a professional

Have this ready before they arrive

  • a written list of which fixtures are affected and which are not, by level
  • when it started, and whether the change was gradual or sudden
  • the dates of any previous events, however approximate
  • invoices from any previous cleaning or repair
  • any inspection footage or report you hold
  • anything you have already put down the drain
  • where you believe any access point is, if you know
  • a note of which surfaces you would be most concerned about disturbing

Questions worth asking during the visit

Written down beforehand, because remembering them under pressure is difficult.

  • What did you check, and what were you able to rule out?
  • Which access point did you use, and how far did you reach?
  • What did you observe, and where?
  • Which parts of what you have told me are observations, and which are recommendations?
  • What would you need to see to be more certain?
  • What would you expect to find if you are right, and what would change your mind?
  • Can you write the observation down, with a location, on the invoice?
  • What are the alternatives to what you are proposing, and why this one?

Describing what you noticed

Using consistent descriptions makes the conversation faster. These are the observations this platform recognises, and each links to what a professional is trying to distinguish when they hear it.

Active backup

Wastewater is coming up somewhere in the building right now.

A professional hearing this is generally trying to distinguish: how many fixtures and which ones are affected; whether the affected fixtures share a run downstream; whether flow is still entering the system from anywhere in the building; whether the same thing has happened before, and how recently; whether anything about today differs from an ordinary day.

Does not establish: what is obstructing or damaging the line; whether the problem is on the private side or the public side; whether the line requires repair or replacement; whether the same thing will happen again.

Backup that has since stopped

A backup happened and has cleared, either on its own or after work.

A professional hearing this is generally trying to distinguish: whether the line was cleared by someone or drained on its own; what was done, if anything, and by whom; whether anything was observed at the time; how long ago it happened and whether conditions have changed since.

Does not establish: that the underlying situation was resolved because flow returned; that the line is now in acceptable condition; the cause of the original event.

Recurring blockage

The line has blocked more than once, with normal use in between.

A professional hearing this is generally trying to distinguish: the interval between events and whether it is shortening; whether the same fixtures are involved each time; what was done at each clearing and whether the method differed; whether the line has ever been inspected between events rather than only cleared.

Does not establish: that recurrence proves structural damage; that recurrence proves root intrusion; that the line requires replacement rather than maintenance; the location of whatever is causing the recurrence.

More than one drain affected

Several fixtures are draining slowly or behaving unusually at the same time.

A professional hearing this is generally trying to distinguish: whether the affected fixtures share a run downstream; whether the lowest fixtures in the building are involved; whether one fixture backs up when another is used; whether the pattern is consistent or changes day to day.

Does not establish: the location of an obstruction; that a shared run is involved rather than several separate issues; the condition of the buried line.

One fixture affected

A single drain is slow or blocked while others behave normally.

A professional hearing this is generally trying to distinguish: whether the fixture has its own branch back to the shared run; whether the fixture has a history of the same behaviour; whether anything entered the fixture that would not normally; whether the behaviour changes when other fixtures are used.

Does not establish: that the buried line is unaffected; that the problem is confined to that fixture; the cause of the restriction.

Slow drainage

Water leaves fixtures more slowly than it used to.

A professional hearing this is generally trying to distinguish: whether the change was gradual or sudden; how many fixtures show it; whether it varies with the amount of water used; whether it has ever fully blocked.

Does not establish: that the line is damaged; that the line is not damaged; how much of the line is involved.

Gurgling

Sounds from a drain or fixture when water is used somewhere else.

A professional hearing this is generally trying to distinguish: which fixture makes the sound and which use triggers it; whether it is consistent or occasional; whether it coincides with slow drainage anywhere.

Does not establish: the cause of the sound; the location of any restriction; whether venting or the buried line is involved.

Odor observed

A sewer-like smell noticed inside or outside.

A professional hearing this is generally trying to distinguish: where the smell is noticed and whether it moves; whether it is constant or intermittent; whether it coincides with weather, water use, or time of day; whether any fixture in the area is rarely used.

Does not establish: what is producing the smell; whether any gas is present or at what concentration; whether the building is safe to occupy; that the buried line is involved.

Wet area observed

Ground that stays wet, or an area that behaves differently from its surroundings.

A professional hearing this is generally trying to distinguish: where the area sits relative to the line’s likely route; whether it persists during dry periods; whether it has changed in size; whether any other water source could reach it.

Does not establish: that the sewer line is the source; that a leak exists; the condition of any pipe beneath the area.

Settlement or surface change observed

A depression, dip, or surface change noticed over part of the property.

A professional hearing this is generally trying to distinguish: where the change sits relative to known buried services; whether it is stable or progressing; whether any excavation has happened there previously.

Does not establish: the cause of the surface change; that a sewer line is involved; whether the ground is stable; whether any structure is affected.

A professional mentioned roots

Someone who attended the property said roots were involved.

A professional hearing this is generally trying to distinguish: what was actually observed, and where along the line; whether it was seen on camera or inferred from what came back on equipment; whether the entry point was identified; whether the observation was recorded anywhere.

Does not establish: that the pipe is broken; that replacement is required; where roots entered the line; that roots will or will not return.

Municipal or utility notice received

A letter or notice arrived from a municipality, sewer district, or utility.

A professional hearing this is generally trying to distinguish: what the notice actually requires, as written; whether it states a deadline; what evidence it says will satisfy it; who issued it and which office responds to questions.

Does not establish: what the notice requires of you; whether the notice is correct; what happens if a deadline passes; whether work described in the notice is your responsibility.

What would change the answer

  • a fixture-by-fixture list of what is and is not affected
  • dates of any prior events, cleaning, or repair
  • any invoices, reports, or footage you hold
  • what you already know about access points

What to do next

The preparation tool assembles the questions that apply to your situation, and you can print the result.

Build the list from your own record

If your situation is different

Related, and why