Is My Home a Candidate for Trenchless Sewer Line Replacement?

If you have been experiencing issues with your old sewer lines, you may be researching options for replacement. One of the more appealing options available is trenchless sewer line replacement, where your old pipes are left in the ground and new piping is inserted without needing to dig up your yard. However, not all homes are ideal candidates for this option and it may be better to opt for traditional sewer pipe installation. Here are some of the criteria that could make trenchless sewer line a poor solution for certain homes:

  • Poor grade. Trenchless sewer line replacements require a certain grade to make them functional. Installing these pipes in the wrong grade conditions could mean backup problems and future sewer line repair expenses.
  • Local regulations. Trenchless systems are usually installed by bursting the old pipes that are in the ground and inserting a new tube in their path. Some localities may not allow this method, especially if you have old pipes that may contain lead.
  • Tree root issues. If you want to change the path of your pipes to avoid future tree root invasions into your sewer lines, trenchless replacement may not be an option.
  • Soil conditions. Not all soil conditions are conducive to the type of sewer lines used in trenchless replacement.

It is important to know all your options when it comes to sewer line replacement. To determine whether trenchless or traditional replacement would be best for your home, call your local sewer service company for a thorough inspection and evaluation. Your local sewer professionals can recommend the best options for changing the sewer lines in your home that will best meet your needs.

Posted on behalf of:
Seagraves Plumbing Sewer & Septic
4980 Plant Atkinson Rd SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
(494) 792-2221

Repairing Old Cast Iron Sewer Pipes

If your home is a few decades old, or older, cast iron sewer pipes may still be in place around your property. Although cast iron pipes have been known to last for several decades, they can and eventually do rust or corrode. Common problems with the se older pipes are rust, or areas which leak and can cause the pipe to break. If your home still has older, cast iron sewer lines, you have a few options when they begin to fail or cause problems.

Repair, Or Replace?

Usually, the first sign that your cast iron sewer pipes are nearing the end of their lifespan is a leak or busted pipe in one section of your sewer line. It may be a joint dislocation or just a cracked pipe, both of which can be repaired. Many times a homeowner will choose to replace the portion of the pipe, often fitting a PVC pipe to replace the broken section of cast iron. However, once one problem emerges, there are bound to be more in the future.

While a small repair on your cast iron pipes may seem like an affordable option, it may be time to consider investing in a new sewer line. There are a few options to replace or reline your pipes to prevent future sewer problems. Some options include:

  • Full replacement. Digging up your old cast iron pipes and replacing them with PVC or other piping is the traditional method of sewer line replacement.
  • Trenchless replacement. Consider using trenchless replacement, which is less invasive, using minimal digging to install new piping.
  • Relining. If your cast iron pipes are still intact, an affordable option is adding lining to their interior, stopping leaks and rust from the inside.

Be aware that once you begin needing to have repairs on your cast iron sewer pipes, it’s only a matter of time before you will need a more permanent solution. Talk to your local sewer contractor about what options they have for replacing your old sewer pipes to prevent sewer emergencies.

Posted on behalf of:
Kiddco Plumbing Inc
Sterling, VA
(703) 435-4441

What Is A Side Sewer Contractor?

If you are looking for a sewer repair or replacement company, you may notice that some advertise themselves as side sewer contractors. This distinction can be important, depending on what work you are having done, and where you live. In most municipalities with a city water and sewer system, the side sewer is piping between a private home or business that connects it to the municipal sewer system. This pipe is also called a sewer lateral.  Depending on where you live, you may need a side sewer contractor when replacing old sewer pipes and connecting new pipes to the city sewer system.

Side Sewer Legalities

The issue with side sewers is they are private pipes which connect to a public system. While in most regions, property owners have the right to fix their own pipes on their property or hire someone to do so, they are not necessarily allowed to work in the right-of-way area where the private and public pipes meet. In most circumstances, the city in question requires a licensed side sewer contractor to perform that type of work.

When To Hire A Side Sewer Contractor

If your sewer system is connected to a municipal sewer system by a side sewer, it is important to hire a side sewer contractor for any sewer replacement you have performed. In some cities, contractors may even need to be registered as side sewer contractors before they are allowed to get the proper permits to perform certain services within city limits. If you are not sure whether you need a side sewer contractor  for your sewer service, call your local municipality’s water and sewer department to confirm what is required in your area.

Posted on behalf of Metro Septic and Sewer

Sewer Line Replacement Methods

Once upon a time, the only way of replacing or repairing a failing sewer line was to dig through lawns and gardens in order to access the pipe in question. The excavation of sewer lines can be a time consuming process, not to mention an expensive and destructive one. Instead of destroying your landscaping and garden design, you may want to consider some newer and less invasive methods of sewer line replacement, should the need arise.

Bursting Old Sewer Lines

The phrase “bursting pipes” strikes fear in the heart of most homeowners, but there’s one situation in which a burst pipe is actually a blessing in disguise. By digging relatively small holes for equipment and service connections, a sewer and septic professional is able to thread new lines through your old piping. Then, special heads will shatter the original, aging piping into shards.

Is My Property Well Suited to Pipe Bursting?

While this innovative method allows for the replacement of weakening or damaged lines without a large-scale excavation project, it isn’t always an ideal solution. The most common issue faced by some homeowners is related to the material of their original piping. If the sewer line is not suitable for breaking or its fragments can’t be easily absorbed by the surrounding soil, you may not be a suitable candidate.

To find out more about this effective, less destructive method of pipe replacement, contact a sewer and septic professional in your area to discuss the procedure at length. You may be able to repair your failing sewer and storm lines without sacrificing your lush, beautiful lawn in the process.

Posted on behalf of Keith Lee, Metro Septic and Plumbing

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