ShareThisQ: My wife and I have a potential problem with our new kitchen plans. We live in a small house on a small lot. For years we have wanted to build our big beautiful dream kitchen.Of course, a big addition like this would require a slab foundation that would extend off the house. The trouble is that our sewer line runs directly under where we need to build the new kitchen. The line cannot be relocated, so it's build over and cover the sewer beneath the kitchen or cancel our dream plans.I'm just worried about what would happen if the sewer line ever breaks down and needs to be replaced. Can you help us with some advice? -- Bill and Tammy in Washington stateA: I get a lot of questions like yours. Building a new kitchen is stressful enough, and I'm sorry you have the extra stress of facing a potential disaster down the road.The first thing you need to do is meet with your local building inspector to see if it's even allowed in your area to build over utility lines. If the inspector says you cannot do it, well, then your decision is an easy one: "No new kitchen."However, if it is allowed in your area to build over a utility like a sewer line, now you face a tough call. If you decide to go for it, according to all the local codes I know of, you will need to bring in licensed representatives of the utility companies to mark and lay out where every water, gas, sewer, electrical line, etc., is located. (Your inspector can tell you where to call for this service.)This way, you can be aware of potential hazards.If it is allowed and you decide to build over the sewer line, you may never have a problem in your lifetime and there will not be an issue. But, in a year, 10 years -- who knows? -- the line may fail and your only option may be digging up the old sewer line and replacing it. This could be a financial disaster for you and you could end up losing your home, never mind the kitchen!I have seen homeowners install driveways or patios over utility lines -- but keep in mind they can be cut and patched to get access to the line.I cannot tell you what to do. All I can tell you is to thoroughly research this project with local officials, your insurance company and your contractors before you start, so your dream kitchen won't cook up a nightmare.Q: My toilet backed up and I tried to snake it out. Guess what? The rooter is now stuck in my toilet-bowl trap! What is my next move? -- Maximus in FloridaA: I hope that is not your only toilet in the house because it looks like you are in a big jam with this one. You may want to call in a plumber because you have two labor-intense choices.One: Suck up any water or debris in the tank and bowl with an approved-for-water-use "wet-vac" vacuum. Then disconnect the tank from the bowl and the bowl from the floor flange. Then you can turn the bowl on its side and try to push the snake or auger from behind while you pull from the front. If you get the snake out, you can then reinstall the toilet and see if it works. A word of caution: The bowl can be damaged and you may have to replace the toilet anyway after all that work.Second choice: Remove and throw out the old toilet and install a new one.(Master Contractor/Plumber Ed Del Grande is known internationally as the author of the book "Ed Del Grande's House Call" and for hosting TV shows on Scripps Networks and HGTVPro.com. For information visit eddelgrande.com or write eddelgrande(at)hgtvpro.com. Always consult local contractors and codes. For more stories visit scrippsnews.com.)(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)
Covering up a potential problem
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