SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT AND TRENCHLESS SEWER LINE REPAIR

Did you know that all of the drains in your home lead to the main sewer line, which runs from your home and connects to a city sewer line or septic tank? The sewer line is the largest drain of your home and is, therefore, very susceptible to clogs. Typical sewer line clogs are caused by a buildup of debris over time. Clogs can also occur when tree roots have penetrated the walls of the pipe.

Sometimes when a sewer pipe starts experiencing issues, there are signs. Your drains may start backing up or clogging, your toilet water levels might rise and fall and you may smell foul odors around drains or in your yard. The sewage may start seeping into the ground in your yard, making it soggy and attracting rats and other nasty vermin.

While there may be signs of damage or a clog, you’ll never really know if spot repair is an option until you have a plumber take a look. Plumbers can lower tiny cameras into a drain to get a good look at the problem. If the entire pipe is in bad condition it will need to be replaced, but if the damage is only in one location, a spot repair can be performed.

A spot repair focuses on fixing only the broken part of the pipe and is a great option is some circumstances, but many homeowners are still unfamiliar with and have questions about spot repairs.

In more serious cases, such as a total collapse, your plumber may need to replace the entire sewer line to prevent future problems from occurring. In this scenario, investing in a replacement now can actually save you money in the long run and can also help to ensure that your sewer line works more efficiently and has fewer problems going forward.

If your sewer is backed up by a clog, it can lead to other problems in and out of the home in no time. This is why it is so important to contact a plumber right away once you notice a problem. Learn more about Roto-Rooter's sewer line replacement, repair and cleaning.

SEWER LINE INSPECTIONS

Sewer lines should last around 50 years, and nobody looks forward to the time when they need to be replaced. Sometimes, when problems start arising, the entire sewer line doesn’t need to be replaced. Schedule a local plumber, who can use new methods and technologies, may be able to perform spot repair.

Some plumbers recommend having your sewer line inspected twice per year, while others recommend closer to once every three years. Once your chosen plumber has inspected the area, they can advise you on how often you should have your pipes inspected going forward.

The only way to know for certain whether your sewer line requires repair or replacement is to hire a professional plumber to complete a thorough sewer inspection. A sewer inspection is recommended for current homeowners, as well as new homeowners who are looking to purchase a used home. Being aware of any issues in your sewer line can save you time, money, and frustration down the road. Roto-Rooter plumbers use a video camera to inspect sewer lines, giving homeowners full visibility into any potential problems—they see what the plumbers see.

SEWER LINE SPOT REPAIR

If damage to the sewer line is localized, plumbers will replace any damaged pipe sections using an open cut or trench. A small trench gives plumbers access to the source of the problem while minimizing damage to the surrounding yard and landscape.

WHY CHOOSE A SPOT REPAIR?

There are many benefits to choosing spot repair over replacing the entire line, but the biggest is cost effectiveness. Spot repair is much less expensive than repairing or replacing the entire pipe, which can cost several thousand dollars, and still fixes the issues you are having. Another advantage is that the repair is quicker and less invasive (requires less digging) than a complete replacement. A spot repair fixes the problem without risking damage to any other utility lines, such as electric or gas. Once the repair has been completed, the line is impervious to some of the problems that may have caused the break in the first place, such as tree roots.

HOW ARE SPOT REPAIRS PERFORMED?

Rather than digging any holes, a flexible pipe liner is inserted into a drain and placed at the problem area. This liner is flexible enough to get into the pipe, but once it is in place it molds to the sides of the pipes and hardens, creating a waterproof seal. It may not seem like the most foolproof method, but the lining can hold up for upwards of 50 years.

SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT COST

Typically, a sewer line replacement can cost anywhere from $3,500 to $20,000, depending on which plumber you choose, the severity of the problem, and a number of other considerations. A repair is much more affordable and is often enough to correct the problem. During your sewer inspection, your plumber can provide an accurate estimate of what you can expect to pay for the necessary services.

TRENCHLESS SEWER PIPE REPLACEMENT

When you are living in a home that is 40 years old or older, there may be a fear in the back of your mind. The older your home, the older its plumbing is, and the older the plumbing is, the sooner the sewer line will have to be replaced. Replacing a sewer line is an expensive and intrusive process, and there’s no telling when your current pipes will begin to fail and you’ll have to call your plumber.

Images of dirt mounds, large equipment and a destroyed, dug up yard begin to fill your mind. Or perhaps you've already received an estimate that requires digging up your driveway and several trees - requiring additional costs for concrete work later. What can be done so your home doesn’t look like a construction site? Roto-Rooter’s trenchless pipe bursting and replacement service is the answer.

Traditionally, replacing sewer lines is done with a process called trenching, where the old line is dug up and replaced, but there are a couple of new, trenchless techniques that are gaining popularity.

TRENCHLESS PIPE BURSTING SEWER REPAIR INFOGRAPHIC

Roto-Rooter has created a helpful trenchless pipe bursting infographic for our website that showcases the process of trenchless pipe bursting and replacement. It details and illustrates the innovative and simplistic approach Roto-Rooter uses for replacing underground sewer pipes. The purpose of the infographic is to explain how trenchless technology allows plumbers to replace your sewer line without digging up yards, landscaping and sidewalks. In the trenchless pipe bursting infographic you can see how this process is cleaner, faster, and more convenient than traditional pipe replacement.

PIPE LINING AND BURSTING

Trenchless sewage line pipe replacement can be done in one of two ways: pipe lining or pipe bursting.

Plumbing contractors throughout the U.S. are using these technologies because of their limited damage to sidewalks, streets, trees and yards. In addition, the material has the same lifespan as current PVC and ABS main lines.

With pipe lining, a small, flexible, resin-coated tube is slid into the damaged pipe, then it is inflated (like the balloons that clowns shape into animals). After several hours, the tube hardens and creates a new, undamaged pipe. This pipe is slightly smaller in diameter, but shouldn’t affect the overall flow rate of the sewer.

Pipe relining uses a woven polyester yarn with a polyurethane coating. This yarn sock is inserted into the old pipe, then hot water or hot air is forced into the sock to expand it and cure the resin. Once the resin is cured, it assumes the shape of the original pipe and is as as hard as regular piping. The relined pipe prevents future root infiltration because it is a single sheet material. It has a long lifespan and is just as durable as HDPE.

The other trenchless method, pipe bursting, is a process that pulls a completely new pipe into the old one, which fractures outward from the pressure.

Pipe bursting uses a metal head with cutting blades to slice through the old pipe and expand it so the new High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipe can fit inside the old. HDPE has no joints, it's extremely durable and has a life span of over 100 years. Pipe bursting works if your pipe is level and has no offsets or breaks. Local plumbing companies can determine breaks by camering the line first.

Again, with both technologies, where ever these is an offset in the pipe or an area where the cable cannot get through, that section would have to be dug up. But even these small sewer repair problems beat digging up your entire yard and replacing all of your sod, sidewalks, plants or fences.

Roto-Rooter's licensed plumbing specialist can answer any questions you may have on pipe relining and pipe bursting.

TRENCHLESS SEWAGE PIPE REPLACEMENT PROS

Depending on your local codes, your pipes could be anywhere from 6-12 feet below ground and sometimes even deeper! Sewer failure can cause major disruptions for home owners and businesses. Thankfully, your Roto-Rooter plumber steps in to calm your nerves and explain their new trenchless pipe bursting and replacement service that won’t demolish your lawn.

Only two small access pits at both ends of the pipe are all that is required to fix your sewer pipe causing almost no collateral damage to the surrounding yard, trees, etc.

There are a few obvious advantages to a trenchless method. Because there is less digging, the process is usually cheaper. With traditional methods, anywhere the line runs must be dug up, and this can include landscaping and even driveways and garages. The digging used in trenchless methods is minimal and unobtrusive. As far as durability goes, either method generally comes with a warranty of up to 50 years.

The replacement polyethylene pipe is expected to last more than fifty years, possibly 100! It's seamless so there are no gaps for roots to penetrate. And in many cases, trenchless pipe repair costs less than traditional digging, by the time you figure in the savings of not having to re-pour concrete sidewalks or driveways or repair landscaping, replace trees, etc. It's amazing technology that should be considered before you tell your plumbing contractors to dig.

Processes for fixing pipes have come a long way thanks to innovative technologies that enable plumbing professionals to address these issues more effectively. Trenchless pipe repair technology allows plumbers to take action in a way that wasn't possible before, and homeowners can realize a number of advantages from this method. Here are a few of the benefits you can yield by going with trenchless pipe repair:

BETTER QUALITY AND FUNCTION

Trenchless pipe repairs put in cured-in-place liners or seamless Polyethylene piping, providing a better quality piping material for long-term benefits. These pipes help prevent off-set pipes, cracks, corrosion, rusting and tree root invasions. This benefit makes trenchless methods perfect for reducing the need for future repairs for decades to come.

In addition to providing a higher quality material, the trenchless pipe liners can increase flow capacity, helping the pipes to last longer and preventing future clogs. Homeowners can rest easy that they won't have to clean out their sewer line as often or need to worry about a burst pipe in the near future.

FASTER COMPLETION TIMELINE

The trenchless plumbing repair method can take substantially less time than older traditional approaches, but a variety of factors come into play. Crews often finish in a single day, depending on the extent of the repair. This benefit means that homeowners will enjoy a quick and tidy repair without a lot of damage to landscaping, driveways, sidewalks or trees.

The benefits of trenchless pipe repair make it a no-brainer for homeowners who need to fix their plumbing system. With less damage, faster completion and better quality, the trenchless method will save you money and provide a pipe solution that will last longer. Call a Roto-Rooter plumbing professional for your trenchless pipe repair service.

TRENCHLESS SEWAGE PIPE REPLACEMENT CONS

Pipe bursting and lining are not possible in all circumstances. In some places, pipe bursting is illegal, and in other instances, the joints of the pipe make these techniques impossible. In many cases, extra efforts must be taken to make sure that electrical and gas lines will be unaffected by the process, and this can lead to higher labor costs. Also, it may be harder to find plumbing experts who specialize or are trained in these methods.

TRENCHING

Though trenchless techniques like pipe lining and pipe bursting are great in circumstances, traditional trenching and pipe replacement is in no way antiquated. With a responsible and qualified group of plumbers, care can be taken to preserve existing landscaping and other fixtures. Also, with traditional trenching, you have a lot more choices when it comes to the shape of your pipes and the materials they’re made of.