I started noticing water pooling near our back door and it seems to happen when the dishwasher or washing machine are running. Our dog dug a small hole by the back door and I first noticed the water a couple of days ago, but it drained and was gone by the time I checked again.

Two days ago, I noticed the water and started digging the hole a little more and saw just a very faint trickle of water coming up and it only ever filled the hole, but never spilled over. Same thing happened and the water was gone not long after. Not sure if it is related, but the kitchen sink seemed to be backed up over the last couple of days.

How screwed am I?

Foundation type?

Concrete slab. House is in Houston and was built in 1958. Foundation was repaired several years before and has original cast iron pipes.

OK... might hire a home inspector to come with a camera and scope the drains. In thinking a an inspector that offers this service will be cheaper than as plumber


Though i think a plumber is in your future. And a lot of miserable digging.

Sounds expensive. Is this likely a busted pipe that can be fixed, or am I looking at a whole home repipe?

Broken cast iron sewer could possibly have a liner ruin in it. I know nothing about it, but that is a thing.

Who makes that determination? Would the plumber come out for an estimate and then I would submit to my insurance if that is the finding?

I appreciate the responses. As my username indicates, I am a bit of a moron.

NOT a moron, just sheep being fleeced - be it homeowner, politics, autos, sports, TV, internet, whatever - like the rest of us

As for me, the BEST (fix it once forever type) Master Plumber comes out and fixes it ASAP carte blanche + give him a beer .... then submit bill to insurance
if not satisfied, then shop new insurance, taking this story to them so they can say next time "will protect" if you sign with us

If I am reading Iron pipe then know Aggieland up here got wise to these acid soils EATING holes in such since the 60s.
So sorry but hope you got a great deal on the house and such repairs are rare or at least cheap.

I don't think insurance will cover. At least mine didn't. All the cast iron sewer pipes are about to hit the end of their useful life. Going to be a lot of broke pipes and broke people. I would get them lined while you still can.

I recently had a water leak in my slab and Farm Bureau covered every dime of running PEX to from the meter through the attic to every fixture plus sheetrock repairs and painting the entirety of any room that had a hole cut in it, minus my deductible. They said something about they cover it if it's sudden and somthing else. Either way, it's worth a shot for you

Update: plumber just left and tried scoping the drain line from the kitchen sink but couldn't get far because of a break right at the beginning. Cast iron pipe was basically completely destroyed and didn't have anything to do with the freeze. So I am not sure what if anything USAA will cover.

Solution was to reroute kitchen drain to main sewer line that is 80 feet away along with creating a new clean out. Quote was $7250 for everything and includes 10 year warranty. Sound about right, or should I get another couple of quotes? We have used this company for a couple of other smaller jobs and have been pleased with their work.

Having wanted to cry in recent years with things not covered by insurance...

You like this company, you've been pleased with their work. Take the hit and let them do the job I think.

As much as it stings, price wise I'd get the rest of the lines looked at and explore options/prevention as that cast iron isn't getting newer. Doesn't cost any extra to talk to them about it.

Also... payment plan available?

Kenneth_2003 said:

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OK... might hire a home inspector to come with a camera and scope the drains. In thinking a an inspector that offers this service will be cheaper than as plumber


Though i think a plumber is in your future. And a lot of miserable digging.

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Just buy a borescope

High Functioning Moron said:

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Called USAA and they said if it was freeze related they would cover the claim, but if it was related to wear and tear they would only cover the repairs related to the fix. So if the floor gets torn up they will cover that.

Plumber is coming out tomorrow.

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That's better than nothing. See what is in the plumber's quote and if it involves putting everything back. If so, some of it may be covered.