[TomCrowther]

I do Windows, gutters, powerwashing driveways and patios and even the odd roof.
Did an industrial gutter job yesterday on a big unit in Manchester. There is a tree stump, complete with root system that has grown up the downspout and into the drain. I want to do the best job possible but don't really want to start into groundworks.
How far do you go?? The tree has been felled but stump an roots remain. All ready flooded into the warehouse.
Would you give a price for removing the roots and stump or tell the customer to get another company in. I don't like leaving money on the table 

[deeege]

Personally I wouldn't get involved in removing tree stumps. Without the correct equipment (a stump grinder) it would probably be a nightmare.

You could get a price from a professional to grind it out and put a percentage on for yourself though.

[Smudger]

I would advise to get in a builder or dyno rod (et al) you quoted for gutter clearing
Not drains.

Darran

[TomCrowther]

What makes it even trickier, the tree grew around the downspout, right up against the wall. Pain in the drain.

[Smudger]

So not in the down pipe, therefore not blocking it ?

Not your problem

Darran

[Norbert]

Have to agree with Darren regards the job Tom.

The company need a profession this one, a company with camera's that can get into the drain system to see the internal damage. I have some experience of ground work and drains from working on building sites many years ago, and its a specialised job. And can be very costly, especially with large commercial drains as this one.

Best advice you can give the company is for them to seek a specialist drain company with all the correct equipment and save yourself a whole lot of trouble and possible cost in trying to do it yourself. If it goes t*ts up, you'll loose you're good reputation with company.

Regards Phil

 

[TomCrowther]

Yeah, cheers guys. I could imagine it going pear shaped quite easily..

[Window Lickers]

You could do a bit of pointing up whilst your at it, paint the window frames, re-mastic the plastics and Tarmac a new drive. I hear drugs aren't quite as profitable as they might've been but you gotta draw the line somewhere.

[Paul Coleman]

Another thing to consider - depending on what sort of tree it is (was?).  Some roots can grow under foundations and removing the tree stump may lead to underpinning problems.
I add my voice to those saying leave well alone.