We had a main line from our house to the sewer line in the street clogged with tree roots. THREE companies came out (the last 2 recommended by the first) to figure out the problem; all three said we needed to excavate the pipe, chop down our beautiful old tree that was ""in the way"", dig up our lawn and garden, our sidewalk, curb and cut into the street, all which they estimated at $15,000!!!!! They said not to put any toilet paper into the toilets at all and to take care of this IMMEDIATELY. They panicked us into giving them $1000 deposit whereupon they would start the permit process.\r
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After thinking about it we decided to slow down, not panic, and call another company for a second opinion. We called Roto-Rooter who immediately sent someone out to send a camera (like the other companies did) into the line. RR said it wasn't THAT bad, that the whole thing could be taken care of with a power jet for $1,000. Of course we went that route instead, canceled the excavation and got a partial refund from that company. We did have to pay them for videoing the line as well.\r
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RR also told us our old house's main line was NOT made of Orangeburg (a compressed cardboard-like substance used 80 years ago when our house was built) as the other companies surmised, but instead it was made of Translite, a clay and asbestos substance which is more durable. We had so much more PEACE OF MIND after listening to RR and they saved us $13,000!!!\r
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THANK YOU Roto-Rooter! You are our new go-to guys for plumbing!
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