Posts Tagged ‘Trenchless Pipe Replacement’

Woodbury Plumber’s Tip: Why Replace Your Sewer Line

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

You probably don’t want to think about having to replace your Woodbury home’s sewer line, and hopefully, you won’t ever have to. Most sewer lines last many years without having to be replaced, so it’s possible you won’t have problems with your line for the entire time you are in your home.

It is not uncommon for sewer lines to need replacement at some point, however. Some common reasons for replacing a sewer line include:

  • The line has broken, cracked or collapsed. This can be the result of an intruding tree root, extremely cold temperatures resulting in freezing, wear and tear or simply the pressure of soil over time.
  • The pipe has deteriorated or corroded. Even the highest quality materials eventually break down, whether from within or without. As the pipes rust and degrade, they can spring leaks, rupture or collapse.
  • A section of the pipe has collapsed. Because of soil conditions surrounding a certain section of the pipe, that one section may collapse, creating a bottle neck that becomes a full-fledged obstruction.
  • Leaking joints. The fittings connecting sections of the pipe can become loose, worn or corroded, which means the seal is degraded and the line starts leaking.
  • The sewer line was made of substandard materials to begin with and has broken down over time.

If and when you encounter any of these situations, you will likely discover that the best solution is to replace at least a section of the line, if not the whole thing. Often, if there is damage to multiple sections of pipe or if the whole line is very old, it is best to replace the whole thing at once.

One alternative to replacing the line outright is having it relined, using trenchless technology. This is less labor intensive and doesn’t require digging up your whole yard. It is not necessarily the solution for everyone, so ask a Woodbury professional if it might be appropriate for your particular sewer line replacement needs.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Services | Comments Off

Pipe Relining Versus Pipe Replacement in Lambertville

Monday, December 5th, 2011

Technology allows us to do a lot of amazing things these days in Lambertville. One of those things is pipe relining – a form of trenchless technology that allows you to actually reline the pipe. The process, developed by an Engineer in England about 20 years ago, is effective both in terms of cost and durability, but is it the right option for you? Let’s take a look.

Relining at a Glance

The process involves clearing out any debris, dirt or roots that have built up there over the course of the last few years with a high pressure jet system. Using trenchless technology, your plumber will jet the line through a pair of small holes instead of digging a massive ditch in your yard.

Once the current line is clear, a liner is inserted into the pipe through the hole dug for the jetting. The liner is designed to keep out any roots and ensure a water tight seal for decades to come.

Why Relining?

So, what makes relining a better solution for some people than replacement? The process is less expensive and in terms of invasiveness, it is one of the least destructive repair methods for your home’s water or sewer lines. The resin in the pipe liner is designed to withstand roots and seal up any existing cracks in the pipe to make the pipe as strong as or stronger than when it was installed, and most of these liners are rated for 50 years.

The major concern for some people is that the liner isn’t a new pipe. The same cracked, broken pipe is still there and if something happens to the liner (which can and will eventually happen), the pipe cannot do its job as a backup. Replacement costs more but it is permanent and therefore more effective when you want to know it will work for years to come.

If you are on a budget, however, relining is less expensive and quicker than pipe replacement and because it is done using trenchless technology, the impact on your property is minimal. That’s a pretty good deal for anyone that wants to ensure they don’t have to worry about a burst sewer or water line anytime soon.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Services | Comments Off

Is Trenchless Technology Cost Effective? A Question from Trenton

Friday, November 11th, 2011

One of the number one questions asked by Trenton homeowners faced with pipe replacement is how cost effective each method is. In particular, they want to know whether trenchless technology with its smaller points of access and far less damage to the property, is as cost effective as just ripping up the lawn and tearing out the old pipe.

Cost effectiveness of trenchless technology depends largely on what the problem is and whether you need a full replacement or if the pipe just needs to be inspected and repaired. Here’s a quick look at what you’re likely to face in the event of a pipe problem:

  • Video Inspection – If the problem is still minor and the location of the leak is not yet apparent, video inspection makes it easier to find the issue instead of pulling out a huge length of pipe. When used properly, video inspection can greatly reduce the cost of a pipe repair job, especially if repairs end up not being necessary.
  • High Speed Jetting – Jetting of your pipes can effectively remove clogs, mineral build ups or other issues that might make your sewer or water line less effective.
  • Pipe Replacement – Pipe replacement itself is considered more cost effective than exhuming and replacing an entire length of pipe. With far less damage to your property and no need for heavy equipment to dig up the pipe, a skilled and experienced trenchless plumber is a great alternative to the costly old methods.

As you can see, different trenchless technologies are each designed to solve different problems but will generally offer a very cost effective alternative to the traditional methods long used to solve these kinds of problems. The smaller your problems, the more cost effective it is. At the same time, don’t forget how much better it is to have your yard intact, regardless of the cost differential.

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Services | Comments Off

How Does Trenchless Drain & Sewer Replacement Work? A Question from Scranton

Monday, November 7th, 2011

If you have a problem with your drains and/or sewer line in your Scranton home, you’re probably dreading the visit from a plumber you know you have to schedule. You’ve heard horror stories of five figure replacement costs, complete with backhoes tearing up the yard and concrete being ripped out of your driveway.

But, with modern technology, plumbers can now access, repair and replace drains and sewer lines with far less digging. Instead of digging a trench the length of the pipe, they use two much smaller holes to access either side of the affected pipeline.

Inspection

The first step in any replacement is inspection. Your plumber must determine where the problem is located and what steps will be best to fix them. This is done by digging a small hole in the ground and accessing the pipeline. A video inspection unit can then be used to scope the pipe and check for clogs, leaks, roots infiltration or other problems that might be causing your plumbing issues.

Once the problem is located (and additional problems are ruled out), it’s time to fix it. In the case of replacement, a second pit will be dug on the opposite end of the length of pipe that needs to be replaced. Both holes are usually no more than two feet square, giving the plumber enough space to work. In many cases, the pipe will be jetted as well to remove any excess waste or clogs.

Replacing the Pipe

To replace the pipe line, a bursting cone is attached to the head of the new length of pipe and attached to a winch by a line of cable run through the middle of the existing pipe. The winch assembly then pulls the new line of pipe with its bursting cone through the old length of pipe. As it moves through, a plumber will feed new pipe into the hole bit by bit. The bursting cone makes space for the new pipe by destroying the old one.

The process is extremely efficient and allows your plumber to replace the pipe without actually digging up your yard and without replacing more pipe than is strictly necessary. You save money and the process is done just as quickly. Not a bad deal considering how invasive pipe replacement used to be.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Services | Comments Off