Camera Inspections of Sewer Lines

June 4th, 2013 Posted in Sewer Lines
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One of the greatest tools available to professional sewer and septic system contractors are the high-technology cameras.  They allow the technician to inspect sewer pipes, as well as septic systems, for problems from the inside of the pipe.  These high-resolution cameras are waterproof, have lights and are very tough.  On one end is the camera head, while the other end is a monitor and control unit.  The two ends are connected by a heavy-duty and flexible wire, which sends the images back to the control unit.

When first inspecting a commercial or residential property for a blocked sewer line, the professional sewer contractors will use the camera to see what is going on inside of the pipe.  The technician is able to determine if a crushed pipe or a restriction in the pipe, due to a build up of sludge, is causing the blockage.  In some cases blockages can also be caused by a low spot in the pipe, which interrupts the flow of sewage in the pipe.  Sewer line camera inspections are able to also take the guesswork out of where the blockage or other problem is occurring.  The technician is able to locate exactly where the problem is in the pipe.  This is very beneficial when the pipe is crushed and the only way to repair the pipe is to dig it up.

The camera is also used extensively by qualified septic system contractors during both routine inspections, as well as when investigating specific septic system issues.  It allows a detailed look at the condition of the entire septic system from the tank to the drain field.  This results in potential issues to be identified early, before they become critical and really expensive!

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Common Sewer Line Repairs

June 4th, 2013 Posted in Sewer Lines
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Professional sewer contractors responding to a service call involving a sewer pipe blockage will perform a camera inspection of a sewer line and identify what is causing the blockage.   If the pipe is damaged or installed incorrectly, the only repair available is to dig up and replace the pipe.  Usually this damage is either a crushed pipe, a cracked pipe or a pipe with a dip or “belly” in it.  A professional sewer contractor will be able to quickly identify the problem and make the repair quickly with minimal impact on existing landscaping.   Cameras have made identifying and repairing sewer line problems much easier!

The repair of a crushed or cracked sewer pipe is relatively straightforward.  The area is first excavated, then the damaged pipe is cut out and a new section of pipe is put in place.  If there is any dirt, stone or tree roots in the pipe, they are removed.  The excavation is then backfilled and compacted, with the landscaping then being restored.  The only time this can get somewhat complicated is when the sewer is “deep” in the ground, resulting in a much larger excavation.  There are specific government regulations related to “deep” excavations, because of safety concerns related to the potential collapse of the trench, while the technician is working on the pipe.

The repair of a pipe with a low spot or “belly” is pretty straightforward as well.  The area is excavated and then the pipe is lifted and stone is placed under it to support it at the proper elevation and to prevent it from sagging again.  It is critical that every sewer pipe has the proper fall on it to keep the sewage flowing in the pipe.  Once corrected, the excavation is backfilled, compacted and the area restored.  The same issues related to “deep” excavations apply here as well.

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Sump and Ejector Pumps

June 4th, 2013 Posted in Sump Pumps and Ejector Pumps
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Just about any home with an in ground basement is going to need a sump pump and perhaps an ejector pump.  A sump pump is used to remove rainwater and groundwater from the area around the home’s footings, while the ejector pump is used to pump sewage out of the home and into the sanitary sewer system.   A qualified plumbing contractor that specializes in sump pumps and ejector pumps will be able to install, repair, maintain and replace these systems as necessary.

In homes with a full in-ground basement, there is not a way for rainwater and ground water that is collected in the drain tile to be removed from the footings.  Often this leads to a leaky or otherwise damp and “musty” basement.  A pit is installed in the basement slab and the drain tile is routed into the pit.  A pump is then installed in the pit, which is connected to a drain line that is routed out of the home.  The pump is plugged in to an electrical outlet and the pump is operational.  As the pit fills up with water, the sump pump then pumps the water out of the pit and it is discharged outside of the home.

Ejector pumps are used when the lowest point of the plumbing in a home is below the sanitary sewer outside of the home.  As a result, sewage from the home is unable to be discharged into the sanitary system.  The solution is to install a pit to collect the sewage, with the ejector pump removing the sewage from the pit.  It is pumped into a pipe at a higher elevation, which then allows the sewage to be gravity fed into the sewer system.

If necessary, both pumps are critical to the home being able to function as designed and be habitable.  Both pumps must be regularly checked by a qualified plumbing contractor, who specializes in this type of work, for proper operation.

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Clearing Clogs With High Pressure Hydro-Jetting

June 4th, 2013 Posted in Drain Cleaning
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Blocked or otherwise restricted sewer lines are a real pain to deal with, especially when they keep occurring!  Sometimes a traditional plumbing ‘snake” will remove the blockage but if it keeps happening, then Hydro-Jetting may be the best option.

High pressure Hydro-Jetting is a very effective way to remove almost any blockage from any sanitary pipe.  It is also is a good method of cleaning out any build up of sludge on pipes which is reducing the size of the pipe.   In many cases the real cause of the blockage is the restricted pipe.  A qualified plumbing contractor, who specializes in sewer work, will be able to determine if this is a viable solution to your blocked residential or commercial sewer line.

The highly trained technician will arrive on the site with a large truck carrying all of the necessary equipment to complete the project, as well as the water source.  Once the equipment is set up, the technician will insert a special nozzle on the end of a water hose into the pipe thru a ‘clean out”.   Utilizing a combination of copious amounts of water and very high pressure, the blockage will be broken up, which allows water to flow though the pipe freely.

At the same time, the walls of the pipe will be cleaned of the build up of sludge, which will restore the pipe to its original inside dimension, which effectively resolves the cause of most blockages.   The large quantity of water also helps flush the sludge and remnants of the blockage downstream.

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Septic to Sewer Connections

June 4th, 2013 Posted in Sewer Lines
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As cities and towns continue to grow and infrastructure improves, many homes and businesses are now able to access public sewer systems, which did not exist when the home or commercial building was originally built.  As a result, these homes and businesses, which have existing septic systems, now have the option to do a septic to sewer conversion.  While the cost of these conversions is not necessarily inexpensive in the short term, they are often cost effective in the long run, as the cost to of ongoing septic system inspections and septic tank pumping is eliminated.

A qualified and professional sewer and septic contractor, who is a licensed in the jurisdiction the work is to be performed in, will be able to assist in determining if a septic to sewer connection is the right choice by performing a detailed cost / benefit analysis.  In some cases it may be better to leave the home or business on the existing septic system, especially if there are very high “tap fees” associated with making the conversion.  In some areas, “tap fees” are accessed to help pay for the new sewer line, but the sewer contractor will be able to assist in determining if there are any “tap fees”.

If the project moves forward, the sewer and septic contractor selected will be able to economically perform all work related to the project including all necessary permits, coordination with the jurisdiction, installation of the sewer line, restoration of all disturbed areas and all necessary inspections.  In addition, they will work with the jurisdiction on the abandonment of the existing septic system as well, which will be required once the tie is made.

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