Plumbing help?

[unclecracker]

Paid a guy to redo all the drain pipes (not sure what that includes to be honest) under my house (crawl space). Below are pictures where 14 months later sewage is leaking out of what I think is a breather. He came out today and said something is backed up in the drains and this is a water softener overflow and it's doing what it should do.

Can anyone tell me what this is and if it should be there? it is right below the access point (closet floor).
Once pic of the 'vent' where the brown stuff is coming out. The other is the other end of the leaking pipe connecting to other drain pipe.

[jeswinehart]

Pics are not the clearest for me to comment on but I do have a 75 foot electric power drain snake if you need to use it.
Cheaper then renting one if it comes down to it.

john

[unclecracker]

Appreciate the offer John!

My thing is: should there be any kind of 'breather' or open 'drain' in the crawl space that sewage could come out if it's properly plumbed?

[hublake]

Appreciate the offer John!

My thing is: should there be any kind of 'breather' or open 'drain' in the crawl space that sewage could come out if it's properly plumbed?

Not a plumber, but I would think that the "breather" would extend up through the roof. I have a water softner and there is an overflow drain but it goes right into the laundry tub that is next to it All my plumbing has a vent up through the roof. One near the kitchen sink and one for the bathroom.

[Chopsaw]

Appreciate the offer John!

My thing is: should there be any kind of 'breather' or open 'drain' in the crawl space that sewage could come out if it's properly plumbed?

I cant see the pictures very well . however what he told you is correct . A water softener purges itself every so many days . Is it sewage or purged water from the softener ?

[jeswinehart]

Appreciate the offer John!

My thing is: should there be any kind of 'breather' or open 'drain' in the crawl space that sewage could come out if it's properly plumbed?

I don't think there should be any vent lower then any portion on any drain plumbing,,, just asking for a mishap if done that way.

[Jwheeler]

Glamy is correct on what he commented on . I also have over 30 years of experience Plumbing and Pipefighting !

[Scootertrash]

glamy, ain't ya sposed to be showin' yer plumbers crack when yer plumbin'?

[Scootertrash]

I've only done a little bit of DIY home plumbing, but I was drained and a bit flushed afterwards.

[unclecracker]

I appreciate the help here!
So, there should be a gap between softener and sewer, but not that low. Is there a typical location? Softener is on main floor.
It smells like sweage coming out. Plumber said there is a clog somewhere. Agree?

[unclecracker]

Drains and softener new within 14 months, so couldn't have rotten off.

So the clean out plug makes it solid (no gap for anything to leak or drain)?

This is at a rental I own, so I don't know if there is a blockage, I haven't heard that complaint.
Softener is in utility room, which is within 3 feet off the plumbing I pictured above.

[unclecracker]

I will do that tomorrow.

I don't trust the plumber I hired to do the drains. I was backed into a corner and on vacation when they did the job. Charged me $1,400 for what my brother supervised as 2 hours or less of work. Best: demanded payment over phone via credit card.
Today: called him to look at it. He wants $150 service call charge. I call this warranty work....

[Dirtcrasher]

Does your state require a permit? If so ask him if he got one and head on down to the building/electrical/water - town/city department. I doubt it because it wasn't inspected. Around here we have to use purple solvent that softens/cleans and prepares the pipe for glue. Then the inspector knows it got cleaned......

It's also a board of health issue. HE WILL NOT WANT A BOARD OF HEALTH ISSUE, TRUST ME!!

Dad did LOTS of plumbing for the apartment houses. The meathead didn't run some vents thru the roof. So even 30yo 3 gallon toilets don't flush, lol.....

Is it just built on a slab? or mobile home (HUD code) but thats usually black PVC around here; Not sure about your codes.

It looks like 1.5" or 2" which is sink drains and so forth. And that barbed fitting is for your softner tubing.

At least he put a trap in it. But I bet he made some good money on your job. I must say I hate being under those spaces as I'm claustriphobic as can be....

This is why I was handed a at age 5, plumbing, electrical, heating, roofing, structure, framing - It's all so damn easy; We didn't have money to hire people. So, you had to learn it.

I have to laugh though, the other day one of our boilers was down. Pops poked around and said "well, lets go to Lowes and get an aquastat" and he is as cheap as crap. I told him to get away from me and get my voltage meter. Jumped TT and boiler started so I knew the aquastat was not to blame. Transformer nuetral wire did not have continuity up to thermostat and down to the zone valve. So, no lv 24V circuit.

Sorry for the book, I'm hittin the hay!

[tri again]

some licensed plumber put in something that looked like an old time swimming snorkel with a floating ball,
UNder the house. so below the floor and water level in that sense.
Why it didn't leak, I'll never know.
the idea was to allow air into the drain so it would flow.

Hope you got it fixed.