When you mention the words “sewer line clog” to a homeowner, those who know how devastating they can be will wince at the thought. For years, sewer line problems were among the worst issues a homeowner could face with their plumbing. Removing a clog from one of these lines was an immensely difficult, invasive, and time-consuming process, not to mention immensely expensive too.
Removing a clogged or damaged pipe involved using heavy machinery to dig a giant trench in your yard, uplifting grass or even concrete to get access to the line. The old pipe was physically cut out of the ground before a new one was placed in, sealed in place, and then the soil was buried back over the top. When the job was done, homeowners were left with the responsibility of completely re-doing their yard to bring things back to normal.
However, that doesn’t have to be the case anymore. While there are times where excavation is unavoidable, trenchless sewer repair has become a popular solution to many different types of sewer line problems. This process is fast, inexpensive, and far less invasive while still also getting you the new sewer line you need.
The Trenchless Sewer Re-Lining Process
Trenchless pipe repair isn’t so much a pipe replacement as it is replacing the walls of your existing pipe with a new lining that seals it and removes the cracks or faults which are causing your problems. The process begins with a camera inspection so your plumber can find where damage exists in your plumbing and determine how big of a segment is going to need to be re-lined. Once this is done, they’ll conduct a thorough cleaning of your sewer line, removing debris that makes the walls of your line uneven.
Now that your sewer line has been prepped, they dig two small holes in your property, one on each side of the segment of sewer line that needs to be replaced. Through these holes, they cut into the damaged line and feed a special attachment through it and out the other end.
Once this is in place, they cover a cloth lining with a healthy coating of specialized resin which dries completely solid. The lining is then pushed into your damaged sewer line and pulled all the way through to the other end of the damaged section via the special tool which was fed through before.
Now that the new lining is in place, your plumber needs to make it so it sits as wide as possible so as to minimize the amount of lost pipe diameter. They do this by attaching the new lining to an air compressor, which blows it up like a balloon in your pipe. Once it’s completely inflated, the line is left in place to dry for some time. Once it dries, it will completely fill the space of the old pipe and be completely solid, sitting perfectly in place while creating a leak and damage-free seal.
Your plumber then checks for leaks to make sure that the new pipe is completely dry and solid. Once it passes this inspection, they reattach your pipe back to your existing sewer line and make sure the attachments are sealed as well. Once this is done, they fill in the two small holes and your job is finished.
Trenchless pipe repair linings are rated to last for decades, with some lasting as long as 50 years or more. In some cases, they outlast the metal piping that they’re replacing! However, unlike metal piping these new lines are entirely resistant to corrosion from rust and moisture, plus they also are immune from things like tree root intrusion and other issues which could cause your pipe to back up. If a clog happens, they can also be cleaned through rooter services or even hydrojetting.
If you have a sewer line problem, pick up the phone and call Moe Plumbing Services. at (818) 396-8002 and talk to one of our experts to find out if your issue can be fixed the trenchless way!