DIYbanter - View Single Post

Tony[_19_]

wrote:
On Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:01:45 -0700 (PDT), Higgs Boson
wrote:

Anybody have experience with them?

My plumber (eccentric guy) always proclaims he's trying to save me
money, which, in view of my circumstances sounds great.

But is he? Latest visit, to snake kitchen sink, cost $85. This is
Santa Monica CA -- not a cheap area.
I tried the Roto Rooter site, but no prices listed.

Would be grateful for:

1. Comparative experiences in this general area Whom did you use?
Satisfaction?

2. Price comparisons, also in this area.

3. Recommended 1/2 HP disposal models? He mentioned a brand I'm not
familiar with; sorry I didn't write down the name. Said it was just
as good as the name brands. He quote $220 installed. Reasonable?

Grateful for any advice on (1) snaking kitchen sink and (2) model of
disposal and price of installation.

TIA

85 bucks for a house call to do ANYTHING is reasonable as hell. As for
a disposal, just have someone teach you how to scrape garbage off of
plates into the garbage where it belongs. Disposals are a ridiculous
concept. They are forever jamming, needing repair or replacement, and
can even be the cause of plumbing backups that will cost you even more
money. If I bought a house that had a disposal, I would remove it. In
fact, that's what I did when I bought this house.

I couldn't agree more. That type of waste doesn't break down like most
septic waste. It's trouble in your septic system, or it's higher taxes
for your municipal system.

When I moved here the back yard was solid clay from the excavator.
Weeds didn't even grow in it! Fertilizer didn't do much, grass seed
would germinate and struggle for a month or so then die. I needed
organic matter. I didn't have the $ for a load of mushroom soil so
after a years worth of fruit, vegetable, and coffee waste the grass took
hold. I still throw most stuff out there, if it's small or I have time
to chop it up. The larger stuff goes to the compost pile.