While most homeowners can handle minor drain clogs, it’s essential to seek professional help regarding sewer repair. Left untreated, damaged lines can lead to expensive foundation damage and health hazards from sewage backups.
A deteriorating or damaged sewer line can also be a magnet for pests like rats, mice, and mosquitoes. If you notice an unexplained increase in these pests, it’s likely time to call for a repair. Visit https://myjoeplumber.com for professional help.
Pipe lining is one of the latest advances in sewer repair and offers a much less disruptive alternative to traditional methods. Also known as cured-in-place piping (CIPP), this method of repair is made by placing a liner inside the old damaged pipe, which is then inflated with pressurized air and then heated so that it hardens into a strong new pipe. This process is eight times cheaper than a complete pipe replacement and requires no excavation.
Pipe liners are made from long sections of resin-impregnated fabric that are inserted into the damaged host pipes and then inflated with air pressure. They can take on the shape of curved or circular areas in the host pipe, and they are capable of covering multiple bends and turns without losing their structural integrity. Once the lining is installed, plumbers can reinstate any connections that were covered and then test the liner for leaks and functionality.
A clogged or damaged sewer pipe is a major health risk and can cause costly and messy repairs to your home. A professional plumber can use video inspection to identify the source of the problem and then recommend the best solution. Depending on the condition of your pipes, you may need to replace them completely or simply reline them.
Some common causes of a broken sewer pipe include:
Roots – Long invasive tree roots can invade and damage buried pipes. They seek out nutrients from waste and water flowing through the lines, and they will eventually clog them if the pipes are cracked or broken.
Oil, Grease and Fats – These substances can build up in your pipes, shrinking the space that waste can flow through. They can also create blockages if they are mixed with sewage or other hazardous materials.
Sewer Line Clogs – Items like paper towels, “flushable” wipes and excessive toilet paper can lead to a blocked sewer line. If not addressed quickly, these clogs can overflow into your home and cause significant damage.
In order to avoid these problems, you should regularly have your sewer line inspected and cleaned. Regular maintenance can reduce the chance of a clog or break, and help extend the life of your sewer line.
Pipe bursting
If your sewer line is clogged or damaged, it can cause serious problems for your home. Not only will it affect the flow of waste and moisture, but it can also damage your appliances and personal belongings. Fortunately, there are some ways to get the problem under control quickly and efficiently. One such method is pipe bursting, which involves pulling an expander head through the old pipeline and bursting it apart to make way for new pipes.
This technique can be used to replace old sewage and water lines without extensive excavation of your property. It’s also less expensive and quicker than traditional methods, and it can reduce the time it takes to get your plumbing back online. However, it is not suitable for all situations. You should always consult with your plumber to see if this service is right for you.
Before beginning the process, your plumbing professional will need to find the piping system. They will use a camera to examine the condition of your sewer line and find any blockages. They will also need to determine the size of the existing pipe and its layout. Once they have all of this information, they can begin the work.
The first step in this trenchless method is to dig a pit at the entry point of the clogged or damaged pipe. This pit is called a launch pit, and it is necessary to support the equipment that will be used in the process. The pit will also need to be large enough to hold the new pipe once it’s installed. It may also need to be large enough to accommodate other services, such as gas lines or water service lines.
Once the pit has been prepared, a technician will insert an expander head into the old piping and pull it through the clogged or damaged area. This head breaks the existing piping into small pieces and shifts them outward into the ground. The space that the pulverized debris leaves behind is then filled with new high-density polyethylene (HDPE) piping.
This is a great method for replacing aging or damaged piping, and it’s safe for the environment as well as your home or business. It’s also a great choice for properties that would be difficult to dig through using conventional means, such as those with lawns or landscaped areas. The HDPE pipes used in this process are very durable and can last up to 50 years without leaking or needing replacement.
Pipe snake
Drains and pipes can get clogged with hair, soap scum, and other debris. When this happens, the resulting clog can stop water flow and cause backups. While there are several tools that help unclog drains, a sewer snake is one of the most effective. However, if you don’t know how to use a pipe snake properly, you could damage your drain pipes and cause leaks. This guide will teach you how to use a pipe snake safely and effectively.
First, loosen the thumbscrew on the snake’s head and insert it into the pipe or access point on the wall. Make sure the head of the snake is not too long for the drain you’re snaking. Also, avoid running hot water while you snake the drain. This can trap the heat inside your drain and damage it. Once the snake is in place, start turning the handle to push it down the drain. Keep rotating the handle at a steady pace and don’t press down too hard, as this can damage the drain entrance or the pipe itself.
As you rotate the handle, the snake will move down the pipe and eventually hit a clog. When this happens, the snake will retract back up the pipe. This will allow you to see if the clog is soft or solid and determine whether you need to break it up or pull it out.
You can also try using a hand auger to remove your clogs. This tool is similar to a snake but has a corkscrew-like coil that can dislodge clogs without damaging the pipe walls. You can find this tool at most home improvement stores. If you can’t dislodge your clog with a snake or hand auger, call a plumber.
When a toilet is clogged, you may be tempted to use a plunger. However, this can damage your pipes if it’s made of metal or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). If you can’t fix your clogged toilet with a plunger or drain cleaner, consider calling a professional plumber for assistance. In addition to snaking the drain, a professional can use a video camera to inspect the pipes and pinpoint the problem.
Hydro jetting
Keeping your drain and sewer lines clear is crucial to the functionality of your home plumbing system. These pipes are responsible for moving waste and dirty water away from your home, but if they become clogged, it can cause major problems and result in costly repairs. This is why it’s important to use professional drain cleaning services, like hydro jetting. Hydro jetting uses highly pressurized water to break up and wash away debris and clogs in your pipes. It’s a non-invasive service that doesn’t require digging up your yard. Instead, your plumber accesses the clogged pipes through a cleanout, which is an opening in the ground designed to grant easy access to the pipe.
The plumber inserts a camera into the drain line to locate and determine the severity of the clog. Once he or she knows where the clog is located, a specialized nozzle attached to a high-psi water hose is directed at the clogged pipe. This nozzle has forward and rear facing jets that pulverize the clog and flush it away with the force of water. This is much more effective than using a drain snake, which can only break up a limited amount of material and may not reach deep enough into the pipes.
It also prevents future clogs. Bacteria, soap scum, and other debris can build up on the walls of your pipes, leading to corrosion that wears holes in your pipes over time. This is especially common in older pipes that are made of materials like clay or cast iron. By thoroughly cleaning your drain and sewer lines, hydro jetting removes these foreign materials and prevents them from damaging your pipes in the future.
Another benefit of hydro jetting is that it can be used as a preliminary step before other sewer repair services, like pipe lining or section point repair. Lining can’t be applied if residuals remain on the pipes, and hydro jetting is a fast and efficient way to remove these contaminants.
Moreover, hydro jetting can be used to clean stubborn tree roots that infiltrate and block the sewer line. This is a very effective and cost-efficient method of clearing a sewer line that cannot be addressed by other means, such as a drain snake or a power auger. This is because it provides a much deeper cleaning of the entire length of the clogged pipe, allowing the plumber to find and fix any damage that is caused by the root infiltration.