Does your plumbing system constantly back up or have a foul odor? Is your grass unusually lush or soggy? These seemingly unconnected issues could all stem from a serious sewer line problem. Before you invest in a traditional line replacement, take a look at the do's and don'ts of sewer repairs.
Do Contact a Professional Plumber
Could you plunge your toilet without professional help? Provided the issue isn't a serious clog, you could potentially handle this yourself. But a constantly clogging toilet, other drain backups, sewage smells in the house, an overflowing yard, and other sewer main problems require professional attention.
Failure to diagnose a sewer line issue could result in additional plumbing system damage or other types of damage to your home and yard. Not only do you need a professional to inspect and diagnose a sewer main issue, but you also need a plumber to fix the problem. A sewer line replacement or trenchless liner repair requires extensive plumbing knowledge, years of experience to complete, and high-quality materials and equipment.
Don't Ignore Your Options
Gone are the days when your plumber could only dig a deep trench in your yard and replace the full length of the drain pipe. Modern plumbing innovations, such as trenchless techniques, provide the repairs necessary — minus a messy yard or damage to your landscaping.
Even though your main drain pipe may have cracks, a leak, or another similar issue, you won't necessarily need to replace it. A professional plumber should understand trenchless lining techniques and have the ability to help you to understand this alternative.
If you decide a trenchless repair is the best option for your home's plumbing system, you will also need to explore the two common approaches — lateral pipe lining and pipe bursting. Lateral lining is a popular option that requires the plumber to remove blockages and then repair the pipe with a resin liner. This approach is also known as a cured-in-place liner.
Instead of removing the outer layer of the pipe, the plumber will leave the original sewer line as-is. As the resin enters the pipe, it hardens and bonds with the inside of the existing surface. In comparison, pipe bursting includes the destruction of the original line and a replacement with a new pipe.
Do Think About Your Yard
Are you not sure which option is the right choice? If you're still debating a traditional replacement, consider what will happen to your yard.
The plumber can explain the trench-type replacement and how it will impact your grass and landscaping. The extent of the potential damage depends on where the sewer line is, what is on top of it, and the amount of ground the plumber must remove. While the degree of damage may vary, your yard will not look the same.
If you don't want to add the cost of landscaping to the overall pipe repair price tag, you already adore the way your yard looks, or you don't have time to re-landscape your property, a trenchless option is the best choice.
Don't Forget About the Time Factor
How long will a pipe repair take to complete? The sewer line is a major part of your home's plumbing system. Without the main, your plumbing won't work. The importance of this line may mean that it takes longer to repair or replace the sewer pipe.
To minimize the amount of time this repair takes, explore trenchless options. Without the need to dig a trench and cut or remove the old pipe, a liner application reduces the number of hours or even days of work time. This gives you back a fully functional plumbing system and can restore your peace of mind.
Does your home need a pipe replacement or repair? Contact Aurora Plumbing & Electric for more information.
