Plumbing - Landlord Forum thread

Plumbing by Karen (CA (Los Angeles)) on May 18, 2012 @03:12

I have a tenant that called me about the pipes being clogged.

Upon inspection of the house I find out that: that she hired a plumber without my authorization (not allowed per LPA lease) however the good thing is that the plumber didn't use a snake because the house has clay sewer lines. I tell the tenant that because my house is so old I have to use chemicals to clear the pipes. She is adamant and she's telling me I cannot and will not use "toxic chemicals" because she's pregnant. She went off the deep end about not using chemicals. I also think what is clogging the lines is that she bathes her dogs in the sink. I found a lot of dog hair in the drainage.

Any advise? What am I suppose to use to clear the pipes?

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Re: Plumbing by Eloise (FL) on May 18, 2012 @07:06	[ Reply ]

I know CA law is very specific and I'm not even going to pretend I know nay of it, but my question is, how much do you think she will be exposed to these chemicals if at all? Don't they go down the drain and wash off? Would a night in a hotel or outside the property shut her up? Are they "green options" for said chemicals? Regardless, after this is done, and if this is allowed in your state {I'm sure someone in here will reply} you should not only tell her but make it a provision in your lease, as an addition or in writting, that because of the pipes being so old, she is not to bathe her pets in the sink. The pets can be washed outside with a hose or in a pet shop!

Re: Plumbing by Micah on May 18, 2012 @07:27	[ Reply ]

Yeah, I'd tell her not to drink out of the toilet and she will be fine... Sounds like hormones to me.

Re: Plumbing

Re: Plumbing by Nicole (PA) on May 18, 2012 @09:22	[ Reply ]

I just never understand in so many of these posts the "discussions" that go on with tenants. I would have run water down the sink and when I saw it was clogged, the Liquid Plumber would have been down her drain before she knew what I was doing. If she didn't like it, too bad. Something that is a common household item like this going down her drains isn't going to harm her or her child and her own little idiosyncrasies wouldn't be my concern. Per my lease, she would have also paid for it. Clogged drains after 30 days are tenant responsibility.

Re: Plumbing

Re: Plumbing by Betty L. on May 18, 2012 @21:52	[ Reply ]

Your tenant has requested for you not to used toxic chemicals and yet you will persist with this "I can do what ever I want" attitude. What if the tenant gets sickfrom the fumes, what if the tenant has some reaction to the chemicals you are using. Seems that if chemicals would have cleared the drain, the plumber the tenant hired would have done so. You are on a slippery slope with this, and might wind up in court. Most plumblers that do add chemicals to treat roots that block the sewer lines do so by utilizing the clean out closest to the blockage. If was hair in the sink drain, the plumber would have taken care of that when he found out. You are not a licensed plumbler, which you should be using if you are having problems with roots in the sewer line. Your tenant has made a reasonable request for an accomendation not to use chemicals inside the rental unit. You at best should have a plumber clear the line with the proper equipment.

Re: Plumbing by Mark on May 18, 2012 @23:38	[ Reply ]

Your tenant is requesting that you do not use "toxic chemicals" because she's pregnant. You need to take a step back and think this through before you do something that can cost you dearly. The women is pregnant and has made a request not to use the chemicals. What are you thinking? Call your attorney and inquire about the possiblity of a lawsuit over this. Also call your insurance agency and ask if your covered for this in case your tenant sues you. A Plumber can properly route the sewer lines and clean out any and all drains, give you an idea of what the cause is without using toxic chemicals. You are heading for trouble big time if you persist in doing what you plan on doing.