A smelly pipe is worse than not having a clue as to where it came from. Make sure you know what plumbing issues you might have before they happen. Whether it’s a smelly drain or extra moisture in your basement, you need to look for the signs to have inspected.
What Is a Trenchless Pipe Repair?
In older homes, water and sewage lines eventually need to be replaced. It is not surprising that replacing something that is large and potentially intrusive and destructive as a sewer line, can cause homeowners stress.
Having to rip up their front lawn and replace their pipes might tempt Minnesota homeowners to delay fixing their pipes, but this does not have to be the case. Thankfully there is a better, faster, and cheaper way to fix your pipes – trenchless repair.
Pipe bursting and pipe relining techniques are replacement pipes for sewer pipes. These are less intrusive, quicker, and more cost-effective than traditional methods of sewer line repair. Let’s dive deep to discover how they work.
Pipe Bursting
When there is a significant amount of damage over a large portion of the sewer line, pipe bursting is the best method because it only involves digging 2 holes rather than having your whole yard dug up. The holes are dug along the whole length of the damaged section of the pipe.
Once the pipe is pulled through the existing, damaged pipe, a pointed installation head is run that is the same or larger diameter than the pipe that is being replaced. The new pipe then replaces the old pipe without the need for a messy and intrusive removal process.
Pipe Bursting Benefits
The benefit of pipe bursting is that only two incisions are required and the repairs are made durable. The new pipes with this method are also code-compliant and chemical-resistant.
This good news is that you won’t have to deal with this problem again once the problem is fixed.
Pipe Relining Method
In this method, a hole is dug and a lining material and balloon is inserted into the existing pipe. This coats the interior of the pipe and hardens the inside. This creates a new pipe inside the old one.
Pipe Relining Benefits
It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s much safer because there’s only one hole in the yard.
How to Tell If You Need a Trenchless Pipe Repair
If you notice any of these signs, don’t wait and call a professional plumbing company in North Branch right away.
Clogged Drains
The number one sign that you have a sewer line clog is when you have multiple clogged drains. If you only have one clogged drain, you should consult a trenchless plumber.
Bad Smell Coming From the Drain
If you notice foul odors coming from multiple drains in your home, it could mean the sewer line is blocked, and gas is forced back into your home. If you smell sewage, your pipes need immediate attention.
Gas bubbles are escaping through the water in the tub or drain when there is a sewage backup. Don’t hesitate to contact an emergency plumber if you detect a backup.
Slow Drains or Other Strange Behavior
The wastewater from your home drains into pipes that drain to the sewage drains if your home has a septic tank. If you do not have a septic tank, then the lines lead to a sewage treatment facility.
Draining water slowly or taking longer than usual could mean a tree root or a collapsed pipe is clogging your sewer line.
It may be a sign that something is blocking your sewer line if your toilets become back-ups or overflows more often.
There are other signs that your sewer lines are blocked, such as strange behaviors. An example is when you flush your toilet and water comes out of your sink or shower drain. This is another sign your sewer lines are blocked.
Although flushing the toilet can remove some water pressure, this would not be considered as strange behavior. Watch out for any other sinks that might have water coming out.
Water Moisture in Basement
Basement drains are usually the first place in the house where signs of a sewage break or blockage will show up. Check on your drains regularly if you see water droplets when you haven’t been using them lately.
Mold Growth
Mold grows in homes with a lot of water, so you need to be on the lookout. You can locate mold visually or by smelling it.
It’s likely that you’re having a problem with your sewer because when moisture leaks from the line, humidity increases in your home. Mold can easily grow above 60% humidity, which is why the EPA recommends your home stay between 30% and 50% humidity to keep mold growth down.
If your home reaches humidity levels higher than 60%, you should have your sewer lines checked (unless it’s just another hot & humid day)!
Beautiful Green Patches of Grass
However, if you notice that your yard has an area of particularly fast-growing and luscious green grass, your Minnesota home could be in need of trenchless pipe repair.
The reason behind this is because sewage leaks in your sewer line happen to be rich in nutrients. These unintentionally added nutrients cause the rapid growth of nearby grass. If you see patches of greener grass over your sewer lines, that means your sewer line has become clogged.
As grass grows, it should remain a uniform hue and size, so you would easily be able to tell if there are unintended nutritional supplements on your lawn. Pay attention to your lawn and notice the color and how tall different areas are.
A Soaking Wet Yard
It is possible to have puddles on your lawn after a storm for a day or two. If this isn’t the case, your sewer line may have fractured.
If left unchecked, your yard might sink, accumulating wastewater. When this happens, you need to get service quickly to avoid compromising the health of your family, high repair costs, and possibly a sinkhole in your lawn!
What to Expect With a Trenchless Pipe Repair
Trenchless pipe repair first requires a trusted plumber. A lot can go wrong if you try to do it yourself, so make sure to do your research and find someone capable of repairing your sewer line.
Here are some tips and things to expect if you have to get your pipes repairs.
Check Your Local Ordinances
Your trenchless repair system should be permitted in your area, and it should not need additional modifications to its passcode.
Remove Blockages
The majority of sewers are accessible from inside your home. It is a good idea to ensure that this area is unobstructed by any items to ensure service is unhindered. It is also a good idea to remove any garden furniture or path stones surrounding the damaged pipe area. Your plumber is going to save time by getting into your home, making the repairs, and getting out. This ensures that everything on site is safe and secure so nothing is ruined during the repair process.
Expect to Be Waterless
As this work is going on, your water supply will be shut off. This means you won’t be able to wash your hands, use the toilet, or take a shower while it’s happening.
Whenever the work is going to take longer than a day, you should stay at a family member’s or neighbor’s house. You could also use this as an excuse to go out of town to a hotel for a few days.
Understand the Damage
While trenchless sewer repairs are less invasive, there could still be some problems after repairs on your lawn. The workers dug one or two holes in your lawn. Any grass that was already there will probably be gone now, and you’ll have to fix it up.
In comparison to traditional trenching methods, this doesn’t seem so bad. However, you should keep in mind that your lawn may take several weeks or even a full year to recover to its former glory.
What to Do If You Need a Repair
Trenchless Pipe Repair technicians guarantee all workmanship and parts so you can rest easy knowing Trenchless Pipe Repair has got the job done!
