Water is leaking up through the grout of my kitchen floor when I stand in a certain place. My plumber tested and said it wasn't the water pipes, it is the drain pipes. A camera sent through the pipes showed massive corrosion and even holes (the house was built in 1964 and has cast-iron pipes in the slab). He said that he'd need to dig a trench from my garage (where washing machine and water heater live), through my kitchen, across my entryway, and into a closet that connects to the bathtub drain and replace all of the pipes with new (abandoning the original pipe line). This would cost over $7,000 and not include the cost of replacing the tile and any other repairs needed (except filling in the trench).
Someone else told me that it could be done with most of the digging outside the house to route the new pipes that way. And he could do it for around $4500. But this is a handyman (with plumbing experience) and a plumber who works at a local Home Depot. The first plumber belongs to a company that has done work for me in the past, and who I trust to do it right and well (anyone remember my mainline drain repair that set me back $8,000 not that long ago?).
...»
I'm pretty maxed out financially: new roof three years ago, mold abatement two years ago, mainline repair last year (I'm beginning to wish I'd rented!). I'm tempted to go the cheaper route and hope for the best. Any ideas?
It does not cost anything to ask..
My main question in all this is: is it a viable solution to do most of the digging outside the ...»
if you plan on digging outside of the home, you will find that you may not have enough pitch ...»
As far as using a pipe that will allow the water to drain out into the ground, This is then not allowed unless you have permits for a septic system connection on the property.
I am not so sure that you would need to worry about sink holes. A kitchen sink is not going to provide enough water to create one. But the raised moisture on the bottom of the slab can cause issues to any floor systems such as wood, carpet or vinyl.
Check with your agent again on this. He or she should be on your side and help you get this issue resolved. Even with a large deductible on the policy, you will end up paying that one way or another. And at least with the insurance company you will get some other repairs done that you may not been able to afford otherwise.
If you still are having no luck, Contact an independent insurance adjuster. Called a Public Adjuster. They work for you, and they only get paid based upon the percent of the claim that they get from the insurance company beyond what they were willing to pay for the work. Normally this is well worth it as they know all the tricks that the insurance companies try to work around. The Adjuster that comes out for the insurance company is not your friend. While he or she may be nice to you, they are working for the insurance company who pays their paycheck, And they are not about to shoot them in the foot to make you happy.