Repairing a broken sewer line is one of the more unpleasant responsibilities of business owners and home ownership. Unlike most repairs, they can't be put off because the primary symptom for a broken sewer line is a pungent sewage smell that may be constant or intermittent. It is more than most people can handle! Leaking sewage also poses a health risk since it drains into surrounding soil and may even end up in the city water supply, depending on your water table.
Table of Contents
- Common Water and Sewer Line Problems
- Sewage System Backups
- Trenchless Sewer Line Repair
- Cost of Sewer Line Replacement
Sewage System Repairs
1. Underground shifts
Pipes damaged due to ground settling, shifting soil, extended freezes or drought. Climate conditions can mean your pipes are more susceptible than other geographic areas - especially if you're in an area with extreme cold or dry conditions.2. Blockage
Grease and foreign objects can cause build-up or restrict the flow through lines.3. Corrosion
Deterioration of pipes can lead to leaks or broken pipes, reducing flow and increasing the risk of an environmental hazard.4. Sinking
Extreme ground conditions can cause a section of piping to sink, creating a low spot where solids can collect and restrict flow.5. Root infiltration
As trees and plants grow larger over the years, their root systems can encroach on piping, possibly damaging the pipes or infiltrating a sewer system.Sewage System Backups
If you do get that awful smell in your home, first test your main plumbing fixtures. A toilet that won't flush is a pretty good indicator that there is at least a clog in the sewer line. Run the bathtub and shower taps to see if they are draining correctly; if water starts to back up, there's a problem somewhere in the pipes or sewer line. Contact a reputable plumber right away.
There are other, less odorous signs of sewer line problems. Basement flooding is a primary one, mainly if flooding occurs each time it rains. Another is the washing machine draining into the toilet, tub, or shower. Don't let the lack of smell hold you back from calling a plumber because water-related problems can quickly escalate into severe damage including mold.
Plumbers determine where damage lies by inspecting drains through snaking a video camera down the pipes and out to the sewer line. If the damaged piece of line exists outside your property line, the bill goes to your homeowner's association or municipality. But if it's in within your property, you pay.
If you suspect the sewer lines in your building are at risk, a quality commercial plumber can diagnose any problems and help avert a disaster. A reputable commercial plumber that utilizes state-of-the-art technology and equipment can provide testing and repairs with minimal disruption to your business and good value for your money.
Trenchless Sewer Line Repair
Sewer line repairs used to be a very messy job. Plumbers would call in contractors with backhoes to dig up the yard or driveway so that they could get to the problem area and replace the damaged lines. Homeowners hated this-in addition to the sewer line repair; they were now facing additional costs to repave their driveways and landscaping.
Trenchless, or slip lining sewer line repair, is a less invasive way to fix a broken line. Only one hole is dug at home to access the damaged area (another is drilled at the city's main sewer line), so there is no trench to spoil the yard or driveway. A new pipe is inserted down the hold and into the old pipe, which is then burst and dragged out. This method, called pipe bursting, is most often used in residential areas.
Another trenchless method, pipelining, needs only one hole. A plumber inserts a flexible, resin-coated tube into the damaged pipe and inflates it. As the resin hardens, it creates a new pipe inside the old one. This method is not feasible for every situation; an experienced plumber can evaluate if it's a viable option.
The process can be quite costly. However, it is bound to last for a long time. Consider it as a significant investment for your home. Always remember the tips mentioned above. To ensure best results, hire professional plumbers to help you with your project.
Cost of Sewer Line Replacement
As years pass by, this greasy, nasty stuff will slowly clog your pipes which require to be cleaned out. Running a sewer snake through the pipe will create more damage to your pipes so it won’t necessarily help the situation.
It is difficult to find out whether your line needs to be repaired or entirely replaced. You can check the yard for wet sinkholes or the smell of sewage which will be one of the best methods to know whether the sewer system needs to be replaced. If there are trees are in the way of sewer line then it needs to be cut down. The sewer line runs close to the gas line which needs to be taken care of as well. If the main sewer line does not go directly to your home which requires the road to be torn up, all of the above add to the cost of sewer line repair and replacement. Thus replacing your sewer line could cost you more than $5000 to $10,000 but there is one right way to run a camera down through the whole line, and you can quickly identify where the problem lies. It benefits a lot which proved to be better than paying for a full sewer replacement if you don't need one.
Then the next step is to find someone to replace your sewer. Make sure that you hire a professional and reliable plumber and avoid hiring the first plumber you see in the phone book. Try to make an effort and get estimates from three or four different plumbing services. Get the recommendations from your relatives and friends who had experienced the services of plumbers in such a situation ever before. Checking the credentials and the local business bureau about each plumber you call for an estimate will give you a heads up if there are any problems you should know about. Don't go behind the affordable services and hire only those plumbers who have the most experience and give the best estimate.