Fixing damaged sewer pipes is never fun, but it’s necessary to protect the value and safety of your property. A failing sewer pipe can cause major problems like foul odors, blocked drains, and sinkholes.
Damaged sewer pipes can also leak hazardous materials into the ground and attract unwanted pests. Ignoring the problem will make it worse, so you must take action to correct it.
A traditional sewer line repair involves excavating the damaged pipe and replacing it with a new one, which can destroy your landscaping in the process. Once the repair is complete, you’ll need to restore the area and dispose of the old pipe. Fortunately, a technique called trenchless sewer repair lets you fix your sewer line with less disruption.
What Is Trenchless Sewer Repair?
Trenchless sewer repair is a convenient and efficient alternative to traditional sewer line repair. This technique involves minimal digging, and it works by sealing off the damaged line from the inside, often by creating a “pipe within a pipe.” Plumbers access the pipe at ground level, which eliminates the need for heavy excavating equipment, reduces damage to your landscaping, and saves time and labor. It also helps to prevent problems for about 50 years into the future.
When plumbers use no- or low-dig methods to fix your sewer line, they typically start the process by using a video camera to inspect the sewer pipes. Once they decide how to proceed, the actual repair takes place underground. Depending on the type of sewer pipes you have and the nature and extent of their damage, plumbers may apply different repair methods, including:
Cured-in-Place Pipe Lining (CIPP)
Cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining involves using a specialized winch tool to insert a thin, flexible, resin-infused liner into the damaged sewer pipe and then inflating it to create a pipe within a pipe. As the liner’s epoxy hardens, it creates a watertight seal, and the old sewer line becomes a support for the new pipe.
The new liner is jointless, corrosion-resistant, and thin enough to preserve the pipe’s capacity, which can improve the flow of material through the sewer line. Contractors can make sewer line repairs by accessing the pipe near the building’s foundation or at a point on the street without disturbing the pavement or landscaping. The repair typically takes several hours to complete.
Slip Lining
Slip lining involves pulling a plastic slip liner into a damaged sewer pipe to seal the leak. The slip liner is less flexible and more pipe-like than a CIPP liner, so it may also take up more space within the original sewer pipe, which can restrict the flow of material that can flow through. Plumbers typically use slip lining on large heavily corroded or otherwise badly damaged sewer pipes. They may have to do some minor digging to access the damaged sewer line before they install the liner. The repair usually takes under a day to complete.
Spray Lining
Spray lining is a technique that plumbers use to seal sewer pipes with polymer or epoxy. It’s a suitable fix for pipes that have minor cracks or damage.
First, the plumber must drain the sewer pipes. Once the pipe is dry, they insert a sprayer into the pipe and deposit a thick epoxy coating on its interior surface.
This process permanently seals leaks and cracks in the pipe. If the plumber can access the sewer line directly, no digging is required. The epoxy cures in a few hours, so the repair typically takes less than a day to finish.
Benefits of a No-Dig Trenchless Sewer Repair
If you’re looking to repair a damaged sewer line, a no-dig fix can save you from hassle. Benefits of trenchless sewer repair include:
Minimal Damage to Property
No- or low-dig trenchless sewer repair is less likely to disturb your lawn, plants, soil, driveway, or sidewalk. When contractors must dig into the ground to install the liner, they will make small holes at the sewer pipe’s entry and exit points to minimize damage. This tactic can significantly reduce the amount of time, money, and effort it will take to restore the landscape.
Quick Turnaround
Trenchless sewer repair involves little to no downtime. When contractors can avoid digging your damaged sewer pipes out of the ground, the repair usually takes a few hours.
Cost-Effective and Permanent Repair
Trenchless sewer repair requires less labor and heavy equipment than traditional pipe repair. In some situations, trenchless sewer repair is the less expensive option. At the very least, choosing a no-dig solution means it should cost little to no money to restore your landscaping, garden, or pavement.
For the Best Trenchless Sewer Repair, Call Miami Benjamin Franklin Plumbing!
If you’re having problems with your sewer pipes, trenchless sewer repair can help keep your plumbing functioning well in the long term. Miami Benjamin Franklin Plumbing provides high-quality sewer services that help you protect your property value. To learn more about our repair options, call us today. Remember—if there’s any delay, it’s YOU we pay!
