A Look At a Sewer Line Replacement When The Sewer Pipe Has to Be Dug Up
If tree roots have cracked and collapsed your sewer pipe, you may not have any choice but to replace the pipe. A sewer leak is something you have to repair right away due to the toxic nature of the problem. Your neighbors might complain and your city might fine you if your yard smells like an open sewer. Here's how a plumber might deal with a sewer line replacement.
Determine If a Liner Will Work
Trenchless sewer repair is often the preferred way to deal with sewer line problems. This replaces the broken pipe by pulling a liner through it and inflating the liner so it can harden and become a new pipe. However, when the old pipe is collapsed, it might not be possible to pull a liner through.
A plumber might use a sewer pipe camera to look inside the pipe to see what's going on. This helps them decide if a liner is appropriate or if the sewer line has to be dug up and replaced. Another benefit of using a sewer camera is that it can send a signal to the surface of your yard for marking purposes. This helps the plumber know exactly where to dig if the pipe has to come out of the ground.
Dig a Trench in the Ground
If the old pipe needs to come out of the ground to do a sewer line replacement, the plumber has to have a long trench dug next to the old pipe. The trench has to go from near your house all the way to the city sewer connection, so a large path in your yard might need to be torn out.
When the pipe is exposed, the plumber can tell how bad the tree root problem is. The plumber can disconnect the old pipe so it can be pulled out of the ground. If necessary, they might have the tree roots dug out, killed, or blocked so they can't get in the new pipe.
Put in a New Pipe
Your plumber gets to select the type of sewer line for the replacement pipe. Your old pipe may have been clay or metal. PVC is often used for sewer lines now, but your plumber may have a choice of materials. The new pipe is put in the trench and connected at both ends. If the new pipe isn't long enough, two pipes may need to be fitted together with joints.
Fill the Trench
The last step is to put the dirt back in the trench. The dirt can then be compacted and prepared for grass seed or sod. It's a good idea to avoid planting trees in the area or tree roots could become an even bigger problem. However, covering the soil with grass is necessary to keep the pipe covered and protected underground.
For more info, or for assistance, look to a service such as Laskowski Plumbing.
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