Out of sight is out of mind, and sewage systems are often taken for granted. Until something goes wrong, many people do not realize how critical the humble sewer system can be. As a result, home and business owners are often faced with an unpleasant situation.
One thing is for sure: Property owners cannot avoid sewer repairs and maintenance. Damaged sewage lines can leak harmful materials into the ground and make a home unsafe to live in.
What Are the Different Types of Sewer Repair?
There are two main types of sewer line repair:
1. Traditional (Open Trench) Sewer Repair
The traditional sewer repair method, also known as the open trench method, involves digging up the ground around the damaged section of a sewer line. Once the repair to the sewer line has been made, the the trench is backfilled with earth.
This sewer repair method is disruptive, unattractive, and costly option for homeowners.
2. Trenchless Sewer Repair
A more modern method is known as trenchless sewer repair, whereby old pipe is replaced with new pipe without digging a trench.
Trenchless repair is performed by using the pipe bursting method, which expands and breaks existing pipe while simultaneously replacing the defective pipe with new high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe.
How Is Trenchless Sewer Repair Superior to Open Trench Sewer Repair?
Trenchless repair offers several advantages:
- Less Intrusive. Trenchless repair leaves no visible scars on your property. There is no need to destroy your yard, concrete, brick, or stone surfaces to access sewer lines. There is no interruption in the use of your homes internal pipe systems.
- Lower Costs. Because it takes less time to complete a trenchless repair and requires less physical labor, the costs associated with trenchless repairs are significantly lower then traditional open trench repair. Additional long-term savings are achieved by creating a reinforced sewer line that is stronger and less likely to be damaged in the future.
- Quick Completion Time. A trenchless repair can be done much faster than a traditional sewer line repair. With trenchless repairs, work is completed in a timely fashion. Keep in mind: The longer a damaged sewage line is allowed to leak, the more damage it can cause.
What Does a Quality Sewer Repair Look Like?
Homeowners usually try to find a repair service that they can trust to do the job right. If they know what a good repair looks like, it may help them to avoid problems. A good repair will allow all of the sewage to flow out of the home freely and there will be no odors.
Appropriate Street Excavation
If the street had to be dug up, it will need a patch when the job is done and poor workmanship is the number one cause of pot holes and sinking asphalt in our city streets. A bad street excavation is one that does not use new back fill materials and or is improperly compacted. The results of poor work quality might not become visible for years before it appears. Be sure plumbing workers bring in new backfill material.
A good repair will use materials that are as strong or stronger than the original street. The repair should include quality testing and assurance the compaction was done in compliance with your city’s guidelines and specifications. This includes ensuring the digging area is properly secured.
Sinkholes and Proper Backfill
Sinkholes are created when the ground around the sewer line is washed away or is otherwise removed. When sewage is coming out of a broken sewer line, it can cause a gap in the ground to form, and that will eventually cause the top soil to sink into the hole. The way to prevent this from happening is by making repairs as quickly as possible and by making sure that any dirt that has been removed from around the sewer line is properly disposed of and backfilled with new material.
A Good Customer Experience
While it is important to determine if your sewage line has been repaired correctly, working with your plumber should always be a good experience. This means a sewer repair should also be honest and transparent: no hidden fees, guarantee of service, and a pleasant and timely repair.
A quality sewer repair provider should be willing to work with homeowners to come up with the best solution to meet their needs.
Next Steps
If your sewer line is in need of repairs, it’s important to find a qualified, experienced professional as quickly as possible. However, proper sewer line maintenance starts before an emergency. Homeowners are encouraged to schedule a sewer camera inspection every 4-5 years to check for any potential blockages or damages in your sewer line.
Contact us today to request a quote.