If your home was built before 1975 you have a chance for having one of five different types of sewer lines, half of which are out of service.
If the sewer had issues before, it may even have been partially or fully replaced. Regardless, Orangeburg, clay, and even cast-iron pipes eventually wear out. Even PVC and ABS pipes get damaged from trees and stresses in the earth.
What can you do, other than dig a trench to lay a new pipe? Keep reading to find out the symptoms of damaged pipes and how to fix them — without excavating.
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Top Symptoms of Damaged Pipes
There are many common reasons pipes get damaged or destroyed. Tree roots, heavy equipment, ground shifts, corrosion, foreign objects, and other dangers could be the culprit.
But how can you tell, unless you dig up your sewer line? The top symptoms of damaged pipes are:
- Flooded yard
- Foul-smelling yard
- Very healthy grass spots
- Water damage in the house
- Sewage backup
- Slow draining and gurgling
Part of the problem of a broken or damaged pipe is that air gets trapped or sucked back into the home. Not only can sewer gases cause health issues and foul smells in the home, but it also mimics poorly ventilated drainage.
A quick fix is for a professional to check your ventilation first. Another thing they can do is send a camera down your sewer line and get a visual check on the piping.
Replacement of a sewer line could cost you thousands of dollars in man-hours, materials, and excavator equipment rental. Pipe repair is never fun, but there are options other than a full excavation and replacement.
How Trenchless Pipe Repair Can Solve the Problem
Trenchless pipe repair is a 50-year-old technology that has continued to develop a lot. Now, the cured-in-place pipe lining used in trenchless pipe repair has the same 50-year rating as new PVC piping.
It fixes pipes in most situations of pipe damage or pipe breaks, but not all. If the damage is too extensive, another procedure called pipe bursting can also be a trenchless solution.
Cured-in-place pipelining is a system where air pressure forces a membrane impregnated with resin through your pipe until it reaches the main sewer line. An air bladder follows behind and forces it to be flat against the interior wall of your pipe. The air bladder helps it keep its shape during the curing process.
After a few hours, the lining finishes curing and the air bladder comes out. After removal, you’re set for another 50 years.
This is superior to sprayed-in place methods of the past.
Your Reasons for Getting Trenchless Pipe Repair
Now that you know the symptoms of a damaged or broken main sewer pipe and how the trenchless pipe repair cost can be lower than excavation repairs, you can breathe a sigh of relief.
Trenchless pipe repair is an ideal solution for many people, but it’s best to consult with your plumbing service provider to see if it’s a good fit for your situation.
Something we know is a good fit for anyone’s situation is being informed. Keep browsing to stay informed with the latest in home improvement and commercial construction techniques.
