Your sewer line is responsible for taking the wastewater from your home’s plumbing system and directing it into the main sewer line or a septic tank. When your home’s sewer line clogs or becomes backed up, it is possible you will have to have it repaired or replaced so that larger plumbing emergencies or damage to the sewer main do not occur. This can be a large and intimidating task. But we are here to help. In this article, we will go over everything you need to know about sewer line repair and sewer line replacement, including cost factors, the causes and signs of sewer line problems, and everything that is involved with a traditional and trenchless sewer repair project.
When we discuss the health of sewer lines, it is important to know what possible causes there can be for a broken sewer line.
One of the most common problems that can occur with sewer pipes is tree root invasion. Since the roots naturally follow water sources, they can be drawn towards your sewer line and then wrap around the pipes. They can then either break through the sewer lines or grow inside through a previous crack in the lining. This will create a clog in the pipes as well as crack the pipes and break the structure.
Another common reason for sewage backup is buildup in the pipes. If items such as wipes, paper towels, wrappers, and feminine products get flushed down the drain, they can cause severe blockages in the sewer. Pouring cooking oil and grease down the kitchen sink drain can also hinder the flow capacity of the water lines and will clog the drain as it hardens against the pipes.
There are certain pipe materials, such as galvanized steel and cast iron pipes, that can be much more susceptible to corrosion due to calcium and magnesium buildup, which will lead to corroded pipes. If the corrosion is left to grow worse, it could lead to cracks in the sewer lines.
If pipes freeze, it can lead to the sewer pipe bursting if the water inside also freezes and begins to expand. This is something to be mindful of if you live in a climate with extreme temperatures in the winter.
Before you go about sewer pipe replacement or repair, you will need to know what the warning signs are of sewer line problems. These are the red flags to watch out for when it comes to your sewer drains:
If you are noticing unexplained water damage or mold and mildew in your home, this might be a sign of a broken or leaking drain line. Though most of the sewer line is located underground in the yard, there is a portion that is beneath the actual house, meaning the water damage can affect the structure of your home if a pipe leaks or breaks in that area of the sewer line.
If you are experiencing multiple or recurring clogged drains that unclogging methods are not remedying, this could mean there is a bigger issue within the sewer line. If you hear gurgling or other unusual noises when using toilets, sinks, and showers, this is also a sign of a possible blockage or malfunction in the sewer line, since this means air is getting pushed back up the pipes.
Unpleasant odors in your home or yard are a big warning sign that you could have a sewer problem. Cracks or breaks in the pipes can let the sewage gases escape, leading to the foul smell. Flooding in your yard is another big sign of a broken pipe in the line. The water from the pipe will pool in the ground and eventually rise up to the surface of the yard.
It is possible that the damage within your sewer line will only necessitate a sewer repair job, and you will not have to replace a large part of it. But what are the steps you can expect when it comes to sewer line repair?
Many plumbers will start with a video inspection of the inside of your sewer. It involves minimal intrusion and will help plumbers to see exactly what the issue is and where it is located in the sewer line. There will also most likely be a video inspection after the sewer repair has been done to make sure everything is running properly.
If the issue is a major clog in the sewer pipes, plumbers can use a hydro-jetting machine that blasts a strong jet of water through the pipes, breaking apart clogs as well as cleaning the sewer lines to restore proper flow.
Plumbing services can provide root removal service, which involves a rooter machine that can reach inside the pipes and cut apart any tree root intrusions and remove them from the sewer lines.
There are some cases in which damage to the sewer system is severe enough that you will have to replace large parts of it. In this case, there are two methods: traditional and trenchless sewer line repair.
When there are severe breaks in the sewer line, excavation may be required for main sewer line repair. Plumbing services will dig a trench to access the line before disconnecting and removing the damaged sections of pipe. The new pipes are installed and connected to the line by sealing them to the other sections. The linings are connected to the plumbing system, and the trenches are refilled. Though this is a very time-consuming and complicated project that requires a lot of messy work, the results will last a very long time.
There is another option for sewer line repair if the traditional method is going to be too disruptive. Trenchless sewer repair is a method that requires little to no excavation and can even be more cost-effective. It involves digging a small hole and inserting a new pipe line to either burst or reline the existing pipe. There are two trenchless methods: pipe lining and pipe bursting.
When pipes are only slightly cracked, one option is pipe relining, which does not involve detailed replacement or excavation. Cured-in-Place Pipe (CIPP) lining involves taking a liner tube coated with thermosetting resin and inserting it into the old pipe. The pipe relining is then inflated against the walls of the old pipe before hoses inject steam or hot water in order to help the resin cure so that it becomes a seamless pipe liner. After this, all the technician needs to do is reconnect the service lines and reseal every access point.
This type of trenchless sewer repair will involve pulling a brand new pipe through the damaged one, along with a bursting head. The cone-shaped bursting head travels through the existing pipe to break it apart, sending the fragments into the soil surrounding the sewer line. As the head breaks through, it pulls in the new pipe behind it, replacing the damaged pipe entirely once the bursting head reaches the exit pit. The plumbers will then connect the new pipe to your plumbing system.
When it comes to sewer line replacement and repair, there are other factors that will contribute to how much you’ll have to pay for the job. Sewer line replacement cost will vary depending on many different aspects involved with each kind of job.
This will be one of the most important contributors to how much you’ll pay for sewer line replacement and repair, usually going by linear foot. How long your sewer line is determines the amount of pipe, filling material, and how far the line will have to be dug.
Another factor that affects sewer line repair costs is the possible obstructions around the ground that might make excavation or digging more complicated. These can include things like trees, fences, concrete slabs, and patios that block sections of the ground where excavation for the sewer line needs to happen. Having to move around these obstacles will take more time and therefore cost more.
Whether it is an issue that will require a quick, small repair or a larger problem that will require entire pipe replacements or excavation will, of course, determine cost. This is why it is good to get a professional inspection from a plumbing company to discover the exact problem and how to fix or replace it.
If there is any sewage backup in your home, plumbing services will only clean enough to access the problem. The cost of all other professional cleaning services will be up to the homeowner, so this is an important thing to keep in mind throughout the process.
Though sewer line repair and replacement can be a daunting process, sewer line damage is a serious plumbing problem that needs to be resolved as quickly as possible. Thankfully, with modern solutions such as trenchless sewer repair, it may be a lot easier to fix than you suspect. A licensed plumber will be able to offer their services to assist you with everything from stubborn clogs to root intrusion in order to prevent further damage to your water lines. Your sewer line could last an incredibly long time, especially when you have materials like PVC pipes.
Our philosophy is simple, we always want to maintain equipment to give it the longest life possible. Next, we want to focus on repairing when something goes wrong. Then only as the last choice, we replace equipment when needed. That’s the John Owens Way.
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