[theplungerman]

Hi, Its been a long time since posting. I just moved to Caldwell, Idaho from So Ca. I'm entering a semi-retirement phase of my life. Because I need to earn some income, I'm going to do part-time drain cleaning here and learn how to fly fish, but I digress. I need a journeyman license. I need to know how to study for it without enrolling in a college course. I've searched several times on the web for courses, but I'm not getting anywhere. Can anyone point me in the right direction? If you are in the Treasure Valley, I will reward you with a free jetting job I f I take your advice. About 40 percent of my biz down in Ca was for plumbers that needed bigger guns but didn't have them. I have a very impressive set up for drain cleaning. Thanks so much for your time and efforts.

 

[theplungerman]

Am curious how you're going to get it done. They want hours as well as school, don't they? No reciprocity with CA. I'd like to know how you progress with this. I was told by WA I could apply but my CA experience would have to be reviewed (negotiated?).

I have the hours (62400 Ish) 40 hrs a week 30 years. 4000 hrs and school or 8000 hrs working as a plumber.

 

[theplungerman]

Do you really need a plumbing lisc in Idaho to do drain cleaning??
Not so in Indiana-- Roto rooter has a bunch of apprentices running
around cleaning drains here

I swear I almost posted the same thing.

I might would even go “ catch me if you can style “ for a while.

I was thinking the same thing. I'm not sure how insurance would work for a "not licensed plumber." I'll call my guy tomorrow and post the info attained.

 

[theplungerman]

Yeah they don't seem to make it obvious how to bring hours from CA to ID (or WA in my case), I hope I'm missing something. I've only had one conversation with WA so far.

I had to fill out a simple form and have my wife confirm my hours and then had to get It notarized. I couldn't self-certify. Walla, now I can take the test.

 

[theplungerman]

Did you bring the vapor rooter to Idaho? Big change CA. to Idaho nice to see you.

Cuda Cuda Cuda. Wow, Long time. Nice to see you too. I think of you often when I use the sr-20 locator you brought to my attention that was for sale. Yes, I brought Vaporooter. I talked with a septic guy yesterday who is interested in using my services for his customers that roots are jacking up lines. I have some very good case studies about the product that proves its effectiveness. Thanks for the tip of the hat.

 

[theplungerman]

No license for drain cleaning here but some repair does require a license. Also if you represent yourself a plumber it requires a license no matter the type of work you’re doing.

I speak for my area only, other areas I know can be different.

Yes, I agree. Those repairs can be profitable. And I want them too. I might be able to scoot around the issue. I'm going to go to big factories, cities, etc. I'm set up for up to 10-12 inch lines. I'm not talking about clearing lav lines. I'm talking biggy lines, oh yeah. I have a big boy truck with a big boy jetter. And some cool nozzles as well.

 

[theplungerman]

theplungerman ,What is Vaporooter I know it is a foaming root killer is it a franchise? Can I buy the equipment and put foam in sewer lines?
US EPA, Pesticide Product Label, SANAFOAM VAPOROOTER II,11/12/2019

https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/094625-00001-20191112.pdf

I started a post on foaming root killer in the lounge.

IDK about how to go about it here in Idaho. Let me ask my rep about different states. What state you from? Its not a franchise. Ca made me get a pesticide application license. Different states have different laws regarding it

 

[theplungerman]

I would recommend ROOTX all day long, I would sell a lot of it when I worked for R.R.

Vaporooter is 3-4 times stronger than rootx plus it has meta sodium which is a very strong root re-growth inhibitor, or killer, I get the two chemicals mixed up . Rootx only has dichlobenil.. When I say 3-4 it has 3-4 times as much dichlobenil or whatever that pesticide is that rootx has. Its the same chemical. That's why I got into it. I was concerned that I couldn't properly treat a root problem 75 feet down the line by flushing rootx down the toilet. Check out this video.

 

[theplungerman]

I was charging 450 the most of last year up from 350 for the past several years treatment costa bout 60 bucks. Add that to a jetter job with a camera shot and that makes for a good call.

 

[theplungerman]

Thanks for sharing sounds profitable did you get a lot of calls?
Another question how soon after the application can the customer use the sewer?

Not a lot of calls but my success rate of selling it is 95 percent of the time. It's an upsell thing and IT WORKS PERIOD. Their slogan, not mine.

 

[theplungerman]

Another question how soon after the application can the customer use the sewer?

I tell them to not do laundry for a few hours but can start using right away. Roots dont grow where the water flows. Something I learned in my "root class division" for the pesticide application license.

 

[theplungerman]

Pretty sure he's saying roots grow into the line from the top, not the bottom where water flows which is right 99% of the time.

Yes that is what I meant. It wasn't clear.

They grow in everywhere they can friend, bottom, top, sides……and from around the corner. Between pipe and concrete slab. You name it.

I’ve dug hundreds up……

I'm 63 and have been digging up sewers that long. They may start at the bottom but they will curl around and come in, not at the bottom, where there is a steady flow. After I learned that I watched for infiltration points while digging up sewers. It seemed true. I think if you pay attention to the next root removal and using the camera you will see entry points are not at the bottom of the pipe.
That closet flange pic is a good debunker but, dare I say,, its a little different.

 

[theplungerman]

I just moved to Idaho 3 months ago. Back in so ca that's the way it played out most of the time. I've seen the occasional toilet flange with major roots. I wasn't saying they don't grow where there is water or didn't mean to. I meant for the most part the roots come in at the sides and top, not where the constant flushing of water travels at the bottom of the pipe. After I was told that I started to examine the clay root-infested pipes I dug up and it seemed to be true.