Camera time in the septic lines up here is $200/hr; what's yours? That, BTW, is the RESIDENTIAL rate. Not a lot of main line infrastructure here in the outlying areas.

Glad you're flush now. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

We paid $200/hr for 8" sewer camera and leak testing, govt. inspected work in public r.o.w., in 1987.

The sewer business only has 3 rules.
1. The boss is an s.o.b.
2. Payday is Friday.
3. Sh*t doesn't run uphill.

RE: #3 Oh yes it can. A few years back my line was packed after years of disuse and zero maintenance. I dug down about 3 feet, sawzalled the pipe about where the pump guys said it was clogged. Rented a sewer jetter, and had at it for about 2 days on a 100' line and a slit trench to dump the mess. It was so packed in that 4" line that I had to use a trowel to work it into the bucket.

Glad I already had my HepB shots from EMS. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />

That sewer jetter saved me about $3K.

We charge by the foot, or straight time depending on the job. Around $1.50 a ft for basic water jetting and inspection. Added charges for root removal, cleaning beyond the basic, cleaning out treatment plant headworks, lift stations. Try to run 1200 to 1500ft per day. Have worked over 3000ft in a day. All of the video is saved to computer along with the inspection report. Most of our jobs are in the 8-10,000ft range.

With the Vactor combination cleaner, jetter + vacuume, we can suck up the debris. That's if we are provided a place to "dump the load". <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> Sometime we use baskets to remove small amounts. Still use buckets, but I have a fancy folding shovel. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Buckets are a last resort, confined space entry is gets old quick.

For the most part, the p00 crumbles up. Grease is a problem, esp. if roots are in the line. That can make a clog that's almost like reinforced concrete. Sometimes see piles of flakey stuff, egg shells and coffee grounds, that stuff dosen't break down, and corn. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" /> Have a small collection of rings, marbles. Found a roll of quarters the other day, I don't want to know how they got down the toilet. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />

Keep using those garbage disposals, pour all that grease down the drain. Make sure you use low flow toilets and shower heads. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> My fellow sewer rats need the work. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />



<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rodent.gif" alt="" />

If you ever find a Thomas the Tank Engine, my boys really aren't interested in it anymore.