Trenchless Pipe Bursting

This popular method involves digging two holes and pulling the replacement pipe through the damaged pipe. As the new pipe is pulled through, a cone-shaped attachment works to break apart the old, broken pipe so that the new pipe can be installed without excavation/digging up your entire yard.

How to Tell if Your Sewer Line Needs Repair or Replacement

Sewage Backups & Blockages – If you’re experiencing clogs or water backflow, it is a sign that you have some sort of drain or sewer problem. If you see water backing up when you flush your toilet or use the sink or the bathtub, you should know it’s also a sign of trouble. If you’re experiencing regular backups and your attempts to clear the line fail, make sure you contact a plumber to schedule a sewer inspection.

Sewer Odor – A sanitary sewer should be airtight everywhere with the exception of vent stacks. Sewer odors around your property are a tell-tale sign that there is a crack or a clog somewhere in your sewer line.

Slow Drain – A slow drain may be a sign that a blockage is forming, which will eventually lead to a clog and a sewage backup. If your bathtub, sink or a toilet is draining slowly, try solving the issue in the early stage. If you experience slow drainage with all your drains, it’s likely you’re not dealing with a simple clog but a bigger problem.

Soggy Spots on Your Lawn – If you have undetected leaks in your sewer line, you may notice damp, soggy or raised patches of ground in the yard. This means that there is a lot of water underneath the surface of your lawn.

Lush Patches of Grass – Have you spotted an extra green and lush patch of grass? Have your plants begun to flourish and grow surprisingly fast? Maybe it’s because the soil around the leakage has been receiving extra nutrients from the unexpected fertilizer called – the sewage.

Septic Waste Pooling in Yard – One of the most obvious signs that you have a broken sewer pipe is septic wastewater pooling in the yard. You may be facing a broken main line or septic tank, or a clogged drain field under the pool of sewer water.

Types of Sewer Line Damage

BELLIES
Most people do not know what term “belly” in the sewer line means. It is simply a low or sagging spot in the line. Bellies can occur with clay, PVC, or other material piping. Many times bellies are caused by improper “bedding” of the line during the installation of the original sewer line.

When a sewer line has a low spot or is “sagging” the pipe will begin holding water in this area. Sometimes bellies do not create a problem. Problems begin when debris like paper, grease, or other solids begin to settle in the low area and are not flushed through the line, creating soft blockages. In many cases, soft blockages can be cleaned and pushed out easily with regular cleaning. However, in some cases the only way to fix a belly is to repair or replace the sewer line.

COLLAPSED SEWER LINE

Certain types of sewer lines are susceptible to collapsing. These include bituminized fiber pipe and cast iron pipes. Also age and deterioration play a significant role in pipes collapsing. If a sewer line has collapsed in anywhere in the line, it is recommended that the sewer pipe be replaced.

PERFORATIONS
Perforations consist of multiple holes within a line. Perforations typically occur in pipes made of cast iron. Cast iron sewer lines tend to deteriorate and are susceptible to collapsing. In addition, cast iron pipes are more likely to experience tree root infestation. When a perforation condition is detected, it is recommended that the pipe be replaced.

SEWER LINE SEPARATION
A sewer line separation is exactly what it says – the sewer line has come apart. The primary reason for separations is ground movement which can be naturally occurring or created by an external source. Cracked joints can cause separations over time. Installation workmanship can be the culprit in some cases. For example, joints in a PVC should not pull apart if properly installed. In all these cases, the sewer line needs to be replaced.

SEWER LINE REPAIR & REPLACEMENT METHODS
Sewer lines can be replaced with two main methods, sewer line excavation and trenchless sewer repair. The method chosen to perform the repair or replacement depends upon various factors for the homeowner to decide on.
1. Sewer Excavation
2. Trenchless Sewer Repair