I am about to start a project to have a contractor tunnel under the house to
access the underground plumbing for repair. Other methods (breaking slabs,
trenchless etc...) have been explored and no luck. The plumber will be doing
plumbing work but the actual tunneling will be done by subs (laborers he
finds). The problem may take three to five days, and longer if it rains.
So now, the contractor asked if I could give him the key to my house (while
we are out working during the day) so they can get inside to get a drink or
to use the bathroom.

I have not used this contractor before. I am a little worried, first, if
they are tunneling, they will not be very clean and in the middle of the day
walking across our carpet to use the boys room may not be a good idea,
especially since we are talking about a leaking sewer line. Also we don't
know the subs (and he gives me the impression he does not know the subs too
well either, for all I know he may get them a highway ramp exits) so
security is also a concern. But I do understand they will be working hard
and be under the sun digging for several days. So what is the proper
protocol? Is it normally expected to provide access to the house on jobs
like these or should I arrange for a portable toilet, or is this the job of
the contractor?

Thanks,

MC

"miamicuse" wrote in message
The problem may take three to five days, and longer if it rains.
So now, the contractor asked if I could give him the key to my house
(while
we are out working during the day) so they can get inside to get a drink
or
to use the bathroom.

I have not used this contractor before. I am a little worried, first, if
they are tunneling, they will not be very clean and in the middle of the
day
walking across our carpet to use the boys room may not be a good idea,
especially since we are talking about a leaking sewer line. Also we don't
know the subs (and he gives me the impression he does not know the subs
too
well either, for all I know he may get them a highway ramp exits) so
security is also a concern.

Under the circumstances, I'd probably not give him a key. rent a portable
toilet and give them a cooler with a 10 pound bag of ice for their drinks.

normally expected to provide access to the house on jobs like these
or should I arrange for a portable toilet, or is this the job of the
contractor?

Maybe you can hire a housesitter.

"miamicuse" wrote in message
...
I am about to start a project to have a contractor tunnel under the house
to
access the underground plumbing for repair. Other methods (breaking slabs,
trenchless etc...) have been explored and no luck. The plumber will be
doing
plumbing work but the actual tunneling will be done by subs (laborers he
finds). The problem may take three to five days, and longer if it rains.
So now, the contractor asked if I could give him the key to my house
(while
we are out working during the day) so they can get inside to get a drink
or
to use the bathroom.

I have not used this contractor before. I am a little worried, first, if
they are tunneling, they will not be very clean and in the middle of the
day
walking across our carpet to use the boys room may not be a good idea,
especially since we are talking about a leaking sewer line. Also we don't
know the subs (and he gives me the impression he does not know the subs
too
well either, for all I know he may get them a highway ramp exits) so
security is also a concern. But I do understand they will be working hard
and be under the sun digging for several days. So what is the proper
protocol? Is it normally expected to provide access to the house on jobs
like these or should I arrange for a portable toilet, or is this the job
of
the contractor?

Thanks,

MC

I think you have expressed your concerns very well here. If I were you I
would say the same thing to the contractor and see what he says.

I do mostly clean work installing window treatments. People leave their
homes open for me or hide a key all the time. Not that I have anything worth
stealing but I personally could never do that.

What and how you feel about it is the issue. I would leave a cooler full of
drinks and the contractor can provide a john or I would not be upset if they
peed in the yard. YMMV.


--
Colbyt
One picture can be worth a 1000 words.
Post yours at www.alt-home-repair.com for FREE.
No Banners, No pop-ups, No Spam, No hassle.

On Tue, 27 Sep 2005 22:44:46 -0400, "miamicuse"
wrote:

I am about to start a project to have a contractor tunnel under the house to
access the underground plumbing for repair. Other methods (breaking slabs,
trenchless etc...) have been explored and no luck. The plumber will be doing
plumbing work but the actual tunneling will be done by subs (laborers he
finds). The problem may take three to five days, and longer if it rains.
So now, the contractor asked if I could give him the key to my house (while
we are out working during the day) so they can get inside to get a drink or
to use the bathroom.

I have not used this contractor before. I am a little worried, first, if
they are tunneling, they will not be very clean and in the middle of the day
walking across our carpet to use the boys room may not be a good idea,
especially since we are talking about a leaking sewer line. Also we don't
know the subs (and he gives me the impression he does not know the subs too
well either, for all I know he may get them a highway ramp exits) so
security is also a concern. But I do understand they will be working hard
and be under the sun digging for several days. So what is the proper
protocol? Is it normally expected to provide access to the house on jobs
like these or should I arrange for a portable toilet, or is this the job of
the contractor?

Thanks,

MC


If the contractor HAS to get inside to control the plumbing situation,
take time off from work to supervise.

Otherwise, tell them to use the toilet at the local McDonalds, or to
rent a port a potty.

Lg

"miamicuse" wrote in
message ...
I am about to start a project to have a
contractor tunnel under the house to
access the underground plumbing for repair. Other
methods (breaking slabs,
trenchless etc...) have been explored and no
luck. The plumber will be doing
plumbing work but the actual tunneling will be
done by subs (laborers he
finds). The problem may take three to five days,
and longer if it rains.
So now, the contractor asked if I could give him
the key to my house (while
we are out working during the day) so they can
get inside to get a drink or
to use the bathroom.

I have not used this contractor before. I am a
little worried, first, if
they are tunneling, they will not be very clean
and in the middle of the day
walking across our carpet to use the boys room
may not be a good idea,
especially since we are talking about a leaking
sewer line. Also we don't
know the subs (and he gives me the impression he
does not know the subs too
well either, for all I know he may get them a
highway ramp exits) so
security is also a concern. But I do understand
they will be working hard
and be under the sun digging for several days. So
what is the proper
protocol? Is it normally expected to provide
access to the house on jobs
like these or should I arrange for a portable
toilet, or is this the job of
the contractor?

Thanks,

MC


In the words of Nancy Reagan,
Just say NO.

"miamicuse" wrote in message
...
I am about to start a project to have a contractor tunnel under the house
to
access the underground plumbing for repair. Other methods (breaking slabs,
trenchless etc...) have been explored and no luck. The plumber will be
doing
plumbing work but the actual tunneling will be done by subs (laborers he
finds). The problem may take three to five days, and longer if it rains.
So now, the contractor asked if I could give him the key to my house
(while
we are out working during the day) so they can get inside to get a drink
or
to use the bathroom.



Say what!

A reputable contractor would never ask such a thing. They would have a rent
a toilet delivered, charge it to you, and provide their own drinks.

Were he to be on the up and up, he would provide you with a bond from his
bonding company should anything come up missing from using these hands he
"finds". These unknown people will be walking down your hallway past your
valuables?

Sounds shady to me. I'd be looking for another contractor.

Steve

Mark,

I think he said "someone you trust". I did not take his comment to mean
hiring some unknown.

Dave M.

I second what Ed P said. Rent the Johnny on the spot or ask him to rent
one and include it in the price of the job. Also - a big cooler with
drinks. Have someone slip in a six pack toward the end of the day.

OK - So, are you SURE that you actually need to tunnel under the house?
This sounds extreme. There are electronic methods of identifying pipe
locations. Even cameras that can be inserted and their locations mapped
out.

I'm assuming you have a collapsed sewer line. Common with very old cast
iron or clay pipes. Even if they DO find the collapsed section of pipe,
then what. yes it can be repaired but you have just put a very
expensive band aide on the problem. What is to prevent the section 4'
away from collapsing?

Here is what I would do. Abandon the old sewer line. Install a new. It
will be cheaper and easier to do.

"No" wrote in message
oups.com...
I second what Ed P said. Rent the Johnny on the spot or ask him to rent
one and include it in the price of the job. Also - a big cooler with
drinks. Have someone slip in a six pack toward the end of the day.

OK - So, are you SURE that you actually need to tunnel under the house?
This sounds extreme. There are electronic methods of identifying pipe
locations. Even cameras that can be inserted and their locations mapped
out.

I'm assuming you have a collapsed sewer line. Common with very old cast
iron or clay pipes. Even if they DO find the collapsed section of pipe,
then what. yes it can be repaired but you have just put a very
expensive band aide on the problem. What is to prevent the section 4'
away from collapsing?

Here is what I would do. Abandon the old sewer line. Install a new. It
will be cheaper and easier to do.


The more I look at this, the more suspicious I am.

Tunnelling under the house?

Wouldn't that open up a can of worms?

Weaken the support?

Run into all kinds of other things? (rocks, other lines, ????)

Get into a never ending openended project?

Running a new line would be a MUCH simpler approach.

I am wary of this contractor, and I have never met him.

Steve

"SteveB" wrote in message
news:fgA_e.83989$DW1.11715@fed1read06...

Tunnelling under the house?

Wouldn't that open up a can of worms?


Not necessarily -- it's a fairly common practice in Florida where most
houses are on slabs and the soil is light and sandy.

This really belong to another thread. But yes I need to tunnel under the
house. It is on a monolithic slab. I have investigated many methods over
the last few months. Including paying several experts to video the line to
explore trenchless methods. There is a break in the line under the slab at
an elbow junction in the PVC line. Cannot use trenchless in an elbow.
Located the break. But there is back pitch. I can break the slab from
above, open up a hole, had several plumbers looked at the video, all agreed
the hole needs to be 12 feet in length because more then likely a section of
pipe connected to it need to be replaced and rehung, and not just the elbow.
To run a new line? Explored that too, unfortunately will also require
tunneling under the house to hook it up, so it's the same job, plus it will
mean tearing up the entire sidewalk and concrete driveway in addition to it.

Support is not a problem. The house is two miles from the beach and soil is
very sandy, therefore, it is sitting on pilings every 10 or 12 feet. The
plumber (who I have not used before but seemed knowledgeable) told me he has
tunneled a few house like mine, and when he opened the tunnel up, there is
always four to six feet of air space between the bottom of the slab and the
soil. The house after years will be just sitting on piles and the
supporting soil is doing practically nothing. I tend to agree with him, but
I will see for myself when he starts the tunnel.

MC

"SteveB" wrote in message
news:fgA_e.83989$DW1.11715@fed1read06...

"No" wrote in message
oups.com...
I second what Ed P said. Rent the Johnny on the spot or ask him to rent
one and include it in the price of the job. Also - a big cooler with
drinks. Have someone slip in a six pack toward the end of the day.

OK - So, are you SURE that you actually need to tunnel under the house?
This sounds extreme. There are electronic methods of identifying pipe
locations. Even cameras that can be inserted and their locations mapped
out.

I'm assuming you have a collapsed sewer line. Common with very old cast
iron or clay pipes. Even if they DO find the collapsed section of pipe,
then what. yes it can be repaired but you have just put a very
expensive band aide on the problem. What is to prevent the section 4'
away from collapsing?

Here is what I would do. Abandon the old sewer line. Install a new. It
will be cheaper and easier to do.


The more I look at this, the more suspicious I am.

Tunnelling under the house?

Wouldn't that open up a can of worms?

Weaken the support?

Run into all kinds of other things? (rocks, other lines, ????)

Get into a never ending openended project?

Running a new line would be a MUCH simpler approach.

I am wary of this contractor, and I have never met him.

Steve

wrote in message
...
On Wed, 28 Sep 2005 07:21:45 -0400, Mark wrote:


Nope. No dice. Workers are not allowed to use my bathroom. They are
slobs and make a mess. Most of them even acknowledge it. I've had work
done many times and I always make sure I'm home if they need to be
inside.
I've only had one instance where a worker asked if he could use the
bathroom (yea, I let him and informed him he couldn't anymore). The rest
just follow the rule and time their bathroom runs for lunch or breaks and
go elsewhere. If it's a big enough job, a portable john is in order.

Think about it for your case. They are going to be in the DIRT digging a
tunnel. When they go in to your house, where do you think that dirt will
end up? Do you think they will take the time to clean it up? Be
realistic.


So if I come over to repair you computer and I gotta go, you wont
leave me use your toilet, and will call me a slob and make me drive to
the nearest gas station. Well, I got news for you buddy. If you
pulled that stunt on me, I'd take a crap or pee right on your office
chair and leave, being sure your computer would never work again.

You heard this from "The Source" !


I see you wouldn't get much to eat as your job as a computer repair tech
wouldn't last very long. I suggest you become a plumber.
B

Error in my post below "there is always four to six feet of air space
between the bottom of the slab and the
soil." that was meant to be four to six inches. Sorry for the confusion.

MC

"miamicuse" wrote in message
...
This really belong to another thread. But yes I need to tunnel under the
house. It is on a monolithic slab. I have investigated many methods over
the last few months. Including paying several experts to video the line
to
explore trenchless methods. There is a break in the line under the slab
at
an elbow junction in the PVC line. Cannot use trenchless in an elbow.
Located the break. But there is back pitch. I can break the slab from
above, open up a hole, had several plumbers looked at the video, all
agreed
the hole needs to be 12 feet in length because more then likely a section
of
pipe connected to it need to be replaced and rehung, and not just the
elbow.
To run a new line? Explored that too, unfortunately will also require
tunneling under the house to hook it up, so it's the same job, plus it
will
mean tearing up the entire sidewalk and concrete driveway in addition to
it.

Support is not a problem. The house is two miles from the beach and soil
is
very sandy, therefore, it is sitting on pilings every 10 or 12 feet. The
plumber (who I have not used before but seemed knowledgeable) told me he
has
tunneled a few house like mine, and when he opened the tunnel up, there is
always four to six feet of air space between the bottom of the slab and
the
soil. The house after years will be just sitting on piles and the
supporting soil is doing practically nothing. I tend to agree with him,
but
I will see for myself when he starts the tunnel.

MC

"SteveB" wrote in message
news:fgA_e.83989$DW1.11715@fed1read06...

"No" wrote in message
oups.com...
I second what Ed P said. Rent the Johnny on the spot or ask him to rent
one and include it in the price of the job. Also - a big cooler with
drinks. Have someone slip in a six pack toward the end of the day.

OK - So, are you SURE that you actually need to tunnel under the
house?
This sounds extreme. There are electronic methods of identifying pipe
locations. Even cameras that can be inserted and their locations
mapped
out.

I'm assuming you have a collapsed sewer line. Common with very old
cast
iron or clay pipes. Even if they DO find the collapsed section of
pipe,
then what. yes it can be repaired but you have just put a very
expensive band aide on the problem. What is to prevent the section 4'
away from collapsing?

Here is what I would do. Abandon the old sewer line. Install a new. It
will be cheaper and easier to do.


The more I look at this, the more suspicious I am.

Tunnelling under the house?

Wouldn't that open up a can of worms?

Weaken the support?

Run into all kinds of other things? (rocks, other lines, ????)

Get into a never ending openended project?

Running a new line would be a MUCH simpler approach.

I am wary of this contractor, and I have never met him.

Steve