A-1 Drain & Sewer Cleaning

They were punctual, professional, and quickly fixed the issue.  Took them about 15 minutes to come in diagnosis the issue and clear the line.  I think it took them longer to haul the equipment down stairs, then to clear the line.  Showed us the roots which was the issue of the main line clogged.  

My stand pipe backed up last night, water all over my laundry room.  Called Josh early this morning, here by 9:00 a.m.  Accomplished job promptly and effectively.  Clean worksite when done, respectful attitude,

Rained h****** the day Josh, fhe guy representing A1, said he and his excavoator friend would fix the problem and so they could not do it. Said he would get it done "next week." Did not offer the name of the excavator.
A week past by and I did not hear a word from Josh. I called and and emailed him. In response I receivfed a  terse email "Lots of rain. Will do it next week."
Called until I reached him. He said he would get it done "End of this week or defintely next week."
Two weeks passed. No word from Josh. No job performed.Called and left message and sendt email about when he would get the job done. Asked him to call me. Sends an email that the excavator wants $3,500 "cash in advance" to drop his other jobs and do the work.
That was it. Did not want to do business anymore with Josh and A1. Asked Josh for the film of his original filming so I could give it to another service. He said he did not save it and copuld not provide it.
Finally, he had his "friend" the excavator call me. This particular person seemed oblivious to how serious the drain problem was. Said he had only known Josh a few months. Generally, claimed to be unaware of the severity of the problem. Also said the $800 was a starting point and that it could get a lot more pricey depending what he found. Thought the cost would be closer to $1,600 -2,0000.
I called another plumbing service and excavator. In less than 48 hours after I first talked with them,  they were able to clear the line with a more powerful snake.  Plumbing and drains etc  work fine.
Their film indicated that, yes, pipes are slightly offset -- will fix that in the spring with a different excavator.

I was very happy with the gentleman who came out to do the original work.  Unfortunately, a week later, the drain backed up again.  I called them, and they sent men out    They came out and checked inside the manhole, out in the street.  They said there were a lot of "wipes" there, and practically accused my mother of clogging her own drain.  My mother is 83 years old.  Seriously?   They flushed the sewer pipe again and notified the city that the sewer was overly full and possibly backing up into my mother's sewer.  They said they would be back early in the afternoon of the next day to put a camera down into the drain, to see if they could find any problems.  They did not show up, and I finally called them around 3 pm, to ask when they would be there.  The owner/manager answered the phone and was v-ery short with me.  He said they were busy on an important job elsewhere and wouldn't be able to make it that day.  I explained that they told me they would be there, and I was upset that they had not showed up.  The owner/manager got very testy on the phone, and said forget it, they would not be back out.  I was very dissatisfied with the unprofessionalism of the owner.  After calling a plumber, we found a blockage in the sewer pipe.  He ended up having to break up the basement floor and replacing the pipe.  When he found the leak and cut the bad pipe out, he advised us that there was a total sludge blockage and advised that we call A-1 again.  I told him that they said they would not come back out.  He advised me to call Speedy Rooter, which I did.  They were there within an hour and completely cleared the blockage.

They come out quickly even if you tell them its just for preventative care.  It amazes me that they can come out so quick.  I call and tell them to come out in the next week and they usually come out the next day.  They bill you right on the spot so you can pay them and be done with it.  They are friendly and knowledgeable.