A broken or leaky sewer line is one of the biggest problems a home can experience. This is partly because repairing sewer issues can be quite costly and also because most sewer issues will lead to sewage backups inside the home. While overcoming sewer issues is never entirely simple, trenchless sewer repair or replacement is typically much easier than going the traditional route and digging up the pipe. This article will show you how trenchless sewer repair and replacement work and what advantages they have over the traditional methods.
An Overview of How Trenchless Sewer Repair Works
Trenchless sewer repair is done using a process known as pipe lining, which can repair holes, cracks and other sewer line damage. The process does require digging a small hole in the yard or street since the plumbers need to access both ends of the sewer line. Before getting started, it’s first necessary to use a camera to inspect the sewer line to determine its overall condition and the extent of the damage. This step is important for determining whether pipe lining will work since it can’t repair more major damage. The next step is to fully clean the sewer line either by hydro jetting or rooting it, which is necessary for ensuring the new liner fully adheres to the original pipe.
Once the plumbers have inspected and prepped the sewer line, they’ll begin by cutting the polyester or fiberglass liner to the correct length and then thoroughly soaking it in an epoxy resin. After inserting one end of the liner into the sewer line, the plumbers then use an inflatable bladder to force the liner through the pipe. This process turns the liner inside out so that the epoxy is exposed and the liner gets pushed up against the inside of the pipe.
Once the liner is in place, it must then be cured and left to harden so that it fully bonds and adheres to the inside of the original pipe. The first step in curing the liner is to turn the hot water on at several plumbing fixtures so that a large volume of hot water flows through the pipe. In most cases, the plumbers will then run an ultraviolet light through the length of the sewer line to finish curing and hardening the epoxy. The result of the process is that the liner essentially creates a sleeve inside the original pipe so that it can no longer leak.
How Trenchless Sewer Replacement Works
Trenchless sewer replacement is performed using a process known as pipe bursting. Pipe bursting can be a great alternative to traditional sewer replacement. That is because the plumbers only need to dig a hole in the street and next to the foundation to access each end of the sewer line.
The process involves using a cable and winch to pull a wedge through the existing sewer line. The wedge breaks up the pipe and pushes the pieces out of the way, leaving a void in the ground behind. The cable is then used to pull a flexible piece of pipe through the void so that it takes the place of the old sewer line. The final step is for the plumbers to connect the new sewer line to the house at one end and to the sewer main underneath the street at the other end.
Trenchless vs. Traditional Sewer Repair and Replacement
One of the main advantages of trenchless sewer line repair or replacement is that the process is much less invasive. With traditional sewer repair or replacement, the plumbers will always need to dig a trench to access some or all of the sewer line. That means having to dig up all of the grass and landscaping near the sewer line. Once the process is complete, you’ll obviously then need to reseed or resod your lawn. Another issue is that the process can sometimes end up harming or killing trees and shrubs in your lawn. This is the case since any roots that are in the way will need to be dug up and removed. It is sometimes also necessary to dig up the sidewalk, in which case the city will require you to pay to have that section of sidewalk replaced.
Another advantage of opting for trenchless sewer repair or replacement is that it takes a bit less time, which also means it’s usually a bit cheaper. In most cases, the entire project can be completed in just a few hours or a full day at the most. Traditional sewer repair or replacement can also sometimes be done in a single day, but it more commonly takes anywhere from two to five days. That means you may need to find somewhere else to stay for a few days since you won’t be able to use your plumbing until the job is finished.
Drawbacks to Trenchless Sewer Services
There aren’t necessarily any specific drawbacks to trenchless sewer repair, per se. However, there are situations where traditional sewer repair or replacement may still be the better option. There are also certain issues that trenchless sewer repair can’t overcome and can only be fixed by replacing the sewer line.
Trenchless sewer repair can only repair minor damage such as small cracks or holes in the sewer line. If the sewer line has large holes caused by tree roots growing into it, a plumbing company will still need to dig up and replace the damaged section. This is also true if part of the sewer line has collapsed or broken.
It isn’t always necessary to replace the entire sewer line in any of these situations, but it really depends on the age of the sewer line and its overall condition. For instance, if you have an old cast iron sewer line that has lots of rust built up inside of it, your best option is just to replace the entire thing. That’s because hydro jetting or rooting the pipe can’t always eliminate all of the rust. That means pipe lining may not be an option since the rust may prevent the lining from adhering to the existing pipe.
Some other situations where trenchless sewer repair or replacement won’t be effective are if there is a belly or sag at any point in the sewer line. This is also the situation if the line doesn’t have sufficient slope. Either of these issues can prevent sewage from draining properly, leading to frequent clogs and sewage backups. Pipe lining obviously won’t be effective for overcoming these issues since it can only fix cracks and holes. Trenchless sewer replacement also won’t work since all it does is place a new sewer line in the void left by the old line. That means the new line would still end up with the same sagging issues or still not have the correct slope.
Reliable Trenchless Sewer Repair
If you’re experiencing any sewer issues, you can trust the team at 3 Mountains Home Services to help you overcome them. We are the most trusted source for trenchless sewer repair and replacement in the Milwaukie area. We also specialize in all types of plumbing, drain, electrical, heating and air conditioning services. Contact us for an inspection and learn if trenchless repair or replacement is an option for overcoming your home’s sewer issues.
