Sewer vs. Septic Systems

January 9th, 2012 Posted in Sewer-Septic Service and Installation
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Every homeowner on a septic system and prospective homeowner should understand the difference between a septic system and a sewer system.  Septic and sewer are both wastewater disposal and treatment systems.  Every time you flush the toilet, wash dishes or clothes, or take a shower, all that water and waste that goes down the drain has to go somewhere and that somewhere is either a septic system or a sewer system.

With a septic system, each home has its own wastewater treatment and disposal system typically consisting of a septic tank and a drain field.  Waste water is treated by natural biological activity in the septic tank and in the soil under the drain field. The treated wastewater is disposed of by allowing it to leech into the soil under the drain field.

A septic system can only be installed on property that is large enough to accommodate the septic tank and drain field.  In addition, the soil must allow water to percolate (seep into the soil) at a sufficient rate to dispose of the treated water.

A home connected to a sewer system uses a large diameter pipe called a sewer lateral to route waste water to the large municipal sewer lines usually located in front of the property.  The municipal sewer lines transfer the waste water to a municipal wastewater treatment facility where it is treated and disposed of.

If you own a home or are considering buying a home with a septic system, you should understand that the system will need to inspected and the septic tank pumped out every three to five years.  Sewer line repairs are only needed if there is a blockage or if the sewer lateral is damaged.

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Should You Repair Or Replace a Sewer Line?

November 3rd, 2011 Posted in Drain Lines
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A broken, collapsed, or totally clogged sewer line is serious problem that needs immediate attention.  You will need an experienced plumbing contractor or sewer-septic contractor that handles sewer and drain line installation and  repair to identify the source of the problem and help you determine whether to repair the drain line or whether a replacement pipe will be necessary.

A sewer line that clogs frequently or leaks probably has cracks that are infiltrated by tree roots.  These roots can be cleared, but unless you address the underlying problem they will grow back and the problem will reoccur.

If the pipe is leaking in one area, there is a good chance that leaks or cracks will soon form in other areas of the pipe.  If you have a broken or collapsed line, you will need to know what caused the problem and the condition of the rest of the pipe.

First, have any clogged lines cleared by a mechanical rooter or high pressure hydro-jetting, then have a video camera inspection done of the inside of the pipe.  Your sewer-septic technician or plumber will run a small video camera through the accessible area of the pipe and be able to let you see the condition of the inside of the pipe.

You will know from the video inspection whether one section of the pipe can be repaired or whether it should be replaced.  If the damage is limited to one section and the rest of the pipe is in good shape, your plumber or sewer-septic professional can probably repair it. On the other hand, cracks and damage throughout the line means that the entire pipe should be replaced.

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Sewer Line Repair Methods

December 16th, 2010 Posted in Sewer Lines
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Your sewer lines carry wastewater, including untreated sewage, from your home to the municipal sewer.   A broken sewer line provides an avenue for this wastewater to seep to the surface.  In addition, it can seep deep into the soil and contaminate the groundwater.  In either event, it poses a health hazard and potentially expose you to legal liability.

If you suspect a broken or leaking sewer line, have it checked out by a sewer septic professional today.  This is not a problem that the homeowner can handle themselves.  Sewer line repairs require special equipment and expertise and are best handled by a professional with experience in sewer line repair services.

If your sewer line is broken, there are a couple different types of repairs to consider.  The traditional method involves digging up the old line using a backhoe, then replacing the damaged section or the entire line if necessary.  This method really tears up your yard, shrubs, driveways, patios, and sidewalks.

There are “trenchless” methods that involve less digging.  In one such method, a section of flexible pipe is dragged through the area where the old pipe was laid.  The old pipe is destroyed and the pieces are removed in the process.  This method has the advantage of requiring less digging.   Usually, only two medium sized holes are needed, one at each end of the pipe section to be replaced.  One potential downside is that this method is not allowed by some local building codes.

In the other trenchless method, a coating is sprayed on the inside of the old pipe creating a new pipe “liner” like the inside of some tin cans.  This method minimizes the necessary digging, but it is only effective on pipes that are essentially structurally sound but have a few cracks.

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Repairing Broken Sewer Lines

December 16th, 2010 Posted in Sewer Lines
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A broken or damage sewer line is a serious matter that requires immediate attention.  Your sewer line collects and routes all of the waste water from your home into the municipal sewer main line, including untreated sewage.

A broken or damaged sewer line allows raw sewage to escape into the ground where it may leach to the surface or deeper into the soil where it can contaminate groundwater.  In either case, the raw sewage is not only imposes a health and environmental hazard, but also exposes you to legal liability.

A sewer line repair is one of those jobs best left to a sewer-septic professional who has experience in sewer line service and repair.  Although replacing a broken pipe that’s buried in your yard sound simple, sewer lines have complicating factors that weigh in favor of hiring a professional.  The contaminated soil must be disposed of properly, and no matter what repair method is used, it will involve specialized tools and equipment.

Locating the line, avoiding cutting any utilities while digging, and sizing, connecting, and installing the repair section so that it works properly, lasts for years, and complies with local building codes all add to the challenge.

The traditional method of repairing a sewer line is to dig a large deep trench to expose the old sewer line, remove the damaged section, then splice in a new section of pipe  Unfortunately, this method destroys your yard, driveway, sidewalks.  Also, this method is only effective if the undamaged sections of pipe are still structurally sound.

Trenchless sewer line repairs include dragging a new section of pipe through the old pipe, and spraying a hard liner inside the old pipe to create a new inner surface.  Check with your sewer-septic professional to see if either of these methods are appropriate for your situation.

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