Sewer / Drain Cleaning, Leaks, Repairs, & Replacement
Sanitary Sewer or Drain pipe cleaning, diagnostic leak testing and locating is essential to properly diagnose the problem areas within a sewer system and for determining the condition of the pipe. The cleaning and/or testing of the system will remove buildup and clogs, and/or confirm bellies, root invasion, separations, pipe collapse and offsets within the sewage pipe allowing the evaluation of the sewer pipe(s) to be as close to accurate as it can be.
In repair situations, once the testing is complete we are able to determine the sewer repair options that can be offered. These can be traditional methods such as sewer pipe replacement via a slab penetration and/or an under slab tunnel or the most modern, least intrusive, “No-Dig” restoration technique, known as a Cast In Place Pipe (CIPP) lining where a drain liner is installed within the section of failing sewer pipe, restoring the pipe to it’s original integrity.
Sewer Leak Testing, Drain Inspection & Cleaning Methods
General Static Test:
Typically the first course of action to determine if a problem exists within a drain or sewer system. The drain system is tested as a whole above slab or foundation level. It is filled with water and monitored for a period of time for a drop in water level. A drop in water level would indicate a failure within the household sewer or drain system and this test would be expanded to a Static Leak Isolation Test.
Static Leak Isolation Test:
Static Leak Isolation is performed should a drain system fail the general test. The drain branch lines and main sewer line are isolated from one another and are tested individually to determine which section(s) is failing. Once a drain line is identified as leaking it is video inspected for clarification and to determine the cause and extent of the problem such as roots, bellies, separations and/or offsets in the sewer pipe.
Video inspection of the sewer / drain line is conducted when possible failures are isolated and/or when a suspected problem is believed to exist. A video inspection is performed and the recordable video footage is displayed on screen in digital quality, full color, with the ability to zoom in on problem areas. The information gathered via video inspection can be accessed at a later time and clients can be supplied with DVD’s documenting the problem areas within the pipe. There may be situations where the ability to video inspect a sewer pipe is limited such as a collapsed pipe, extensive root invasion or excessive build-up on the interior of the sewer pipe.
Hydro-Jet Drain CleaningHydro-Jet Drain Cleaning:
Hydro-jet drain cleaning is performed using a Sewer Jetter made specifically for cleaning sewer lines, storm drains or downspouts. It utilizes high pressure water to scour the interior of the pipe and is very effective in removing debris such as washing machine detergent buildup, hair, sludge, grease, roots, etc. etc. from within the pipes. At times it is necessary to jet out drain lines to remove buildup and root invasion on the interior of a sewage pipe in order to properly inspect the pipe for estimate repairs or just to clean out the pipe due to ongoing backups and clogged drains. *(A sewer machine can also be utilized for drain cleaning of stopped up sewer line(s) or to clear a drain line that is completely backed up).
Line Locating / Line Tracing:
Electronic Line Locating or Tracing is performed to determine the location and path of a failing drain or sewer pipe. This is important especially when considering traditional methods of repair such as slab penetrations or tunneling. Identifying an incorrect location can lead to additional penetrations and footage when tunneling, increasing the cost of repairs. *(This is also performed when tracing copper water pipes under slab leaks).
Sewer Restoration, Repair & Replacement Methods
Offered by DFW Pipe Restoration & Plumbing
Cast In Place PipeCast In Place Pipe – CIPP:
Trenchless Technology such as CIPP Lateral Lining for drain or sewer pipe repair is applied through a cleanout with no digging or cutting required. The liner is typically positioned within a translucent bladder (or connected to a positioning hose) and vacuum impregnated. Next, the liner/bladder assembly is inverted through the cleanout and directed upstream or downstream by use of a guide shoe. Only the bladder is located within the cleanout since the liner does not begin to invert until it is positioned within the horizontal lateral drain pipe. The process includes the use of a camera port which allows a lateral push camera to be inserted inside the translucent bladder, providing visual verification of the liner placement prior to curing. The epoxy coated liner cures in about two hours or less. When cured, the bladder is re-inverted and removed from the pipe. The liner is open ended so there is no cutting at the upstream or downstream end. This system allows for installation from one access point, typically from an outside cleanout. The installer can determine the placement of the lining by where they position the liner within the bladder.
A hole is jack hammered into the slab and the dirt is removed above the location of the leaking pipe or slab leak. The broken section of sewer pipe is removed and replaced with new pipe. The new pipe must be adhered to a good portion of existing pipe. If the old pipe is corroded and in poor shape a much longer length of pipe may need to be replaced. This may entail increasing the size of the hole and/or tunneling under the slab. Slab Penetrations can be messy and often involve secondary costs beyond the repair itself such as the removal of cabinets or custom flooring above the area where the slab penetration is made to replace the leaking sewage pipe. *(This method is also used for potable water pipe leak repairs or replacement).
Under Slab TunnelingUnder Slab Tunneling:
Typically, this method of repair is considered if the broken sewer pipe is in close proximity to an exterior wall or if it is determined that extensive sewer pipe replacement is needed. A hole is dug from the exterior wall and a tunnel is made underneath the slab foundation to the location of the slab leak and where the sewer pipe needs to be replaced. Upon reaching the broken pipe it is removed and replaced with new pipe. The new pipe must be adhered to a good portion of existing “old” pipe and additional tunneling may be required to do this. Under slab tunneling of considerable length is required when replacing long sections of pipe. Damage to existing landscaping may also occur when this method of repair is chosen or required. *(This method is also used for potable water pipe leak repairs or replacement).
Yard Line / Main Sewer Line Replacement:
This is required should the main sewer line from the city sewer or septic to the entrance of the home require replacement. A backhoe is used to dig up the line and/or the line is hand-dug, the failing sewer pipe is removed and replaced with new pipe and the trench is backfilled. The new pipe must be adhered to a good portion of existing “old” pipe. This method may also involve tunneling underneath or jack hammering through concrete driveways or sidewalks depending on the path of the main sewer line.