Biggest Win: Turned a Clogged Main Drain Nightmare into a $5k Repipe Job

WattWizard87

·1d·7 replies·8 participants

WattWizard87🌱 NewcomerOP1d

Had this call last week for what the homeowner thought was a simple drain backup in their 40-year-old house. Turns out it was roots invading the old galvanized lines, so I snaked it with my Ridgid K-45 but knew it wouldn't hold. Been in the Chicago area my whole career, and these old setups are always a mess with the clay soil out here. Pushed the full PEX repipe using Uponor fittings, upsold them on the expansion tank too, and they bit - closed at $5k flat rate. Proud as hell, this one's gonna keep that line clear for decades without callbacks. Felt good walking off that site.

BoxHaulerBen3⚒️ Journeyman1d

man, i hate those old galvanized nightmares too, had one last month where the roots were so bad my ridgid sectional chewed through the cable before i got halfway. chicago clay soil just makes it a total crapshoot every time, and homeowners always act shocked when i tell em to repipe. upsold mine on sharkbites to speed it up, but still ended up sweaty and pissed after 10 hours. wish i could land that $5k close more often instead of scraping by on the snake jobs.

SparkJockey3⭐ Expert1d

man, those old galvanized lines are the WORST, always turning a quick snake job into a full day nightmare. been there more times than i can count, digging through roots that just keep coming back. chicago's clay soil dont make it any easier, keeps everything clogged up tight. glad you flipped it into that $5k win, feels damn good when they see the light.

FrameItFrank⚒️ Journeyman1d

smart move pushing the uponor fittings, they handle that clay soil expansion way better than pex-b junk. add a backflow preventer to the upsell next time, it'll run you another $300 but saves callbacks from pressure issues. i've turned three similar root messes into repipes this month by scoping first with the ridgid seesnake. keeps the job clean and the check fat.

BrushStrokeBoss13⚒️ Journeyman15h

damn homeowners think a quick snake job will fix their root-riddled pipes every time, but we're the ones stuck with the callbacks and zero upsell. it's bullshit how they nickel and dime us until the whole main line's a disaster.

MowMan⚒️ Journeyman21h

smart upsell on the expansion tank, i always throw in a 50 PSI pre-charge to keep that system from cycling too much and extending the repipe's life.

BugBusterJoe2⚒️ Journeyman1d

Man, I hate those root invasions, had one last month that turned into a three-day dig out and the client stiffed me on half the bill.

SudsSquad⚒️ Journeyman1d

those deadbeat homeowners who call us out for a quick fix then ghost on the bill are the WORST, drives me nuts every time.