0% APR Plus No Payments for 12 Months
on Select New Plumbing & HVAC Systems
Sewer Lines and Excavation
Book Online Now
Like most appliances and systems in our homes, sewer lines eventually require replacements. But unlike most other things, these lines need immediate attention. Any delays can result in extensive damage or health hazards.
Call Staton Heating, Cooling & Plumbing where we provide a range of sewer line repair methods, including pipe bursting and pipelining. Get in contact with us today, and we’ll help you determine the right excavation method for your sewer line repair.
Exposure to sewer gas may cause side effects like nausea, headaches, dizziness, and impaired cognitive abilities. Not to mention, it smells like rotten eggs! You’ll need a repair ASAP. Several strategies are used to repair sewer lines, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.
External Excavation
This traditional method of sewer pipe repair is tried and true; it’s been around for years and continues to be used in excavations.
With an external sewer line excavation, workers must dig trenches and tunnels to access the sewer line. This will expose the pipe completely so that it’s easier to repair or replace. However, it often causes damage to the surrounding land and structures.
Interior Access Excavation
Rather than digging up a large section of the yard, this method involves precise excavation where the damage is. It’s a way to repair sewer lines without digging large trenches.
Even though trenchless sewer line excavation methods can be costly, you won’t need to spend money repairing landscape damage once it’s done. However, it’s not always possible to use this technique; if the lines are damaged too extensively, pipe bursting may not be viable.
Reasons for Digging Up Sewer Lines
No one wants to have their lawn excavated—but if your sewer line needs repairs, it may be necessary. Here are a few common reasons why excavations are performed:
- The existing line is damaged. Oftentimes, this is due to tree roots. Damage to your sewer line can also be caused by oil, grease, and flushing things other than toilet paper. Avoid costly repairs by scheduling routine maintenance, like drain cleaning services.
- You’re updating your septic system. Switching from a traditional septic tank to the city sewer system? You might choose to do this if your septic tank needs repairs, or if a new city bylaw requires it. If so, you’ll need a new sewer line to make the change.
- Doesn’t need extra space – as the whole-house air purifier goes into the HVAC system itself, it won’t take up any space as many of the individual purifiers do.
Sewer Line Excavation Process
Before the real work begins, excavators start by marking all utility lines. Accidentally hitting a utility line may cause a service outage in your area and cause serious injuries to those nearby—in some cases, it may even result in death. Careful and precise planning is key to a successful sewer line repair.
Next, the workers will use video inspection technology to assess the condition of your pipes. It allows them to get a closer look at what’s happening within the line. Based on this information, they can select a strategy that’s optimal for your property and pipes. The plumbers may need to obtain permits or other inspections to proceed with the repair.
The specific plumbing excavation process varies depending on the methods that are used. We’re going to detail a few of them here:
Pipe Bursting vs. Open-Top Excavation
Which repair method is best for your property: trench or trenchless sewer repair? There are pros and cons to each:
Pipe Bursting
Some homeowners are hesitant to repair sewer lines because they don’t want trenches dug into their yards—it fixes their sewer line, but it ruins their lawn! One of the main advantages of pipe bursting is that it won’t require any trenches to be dug.
To remove old and broken pipes, we used a pneumatic or hydraulic head. We remove the old damaged pipe and replace it with a new one that’s perfectly sized to fit in that space.
If you’re interested in trenchless sewer line repair in Anne Arundel or Howard County, we also offer pipelining (also known as cured-in-place piping). With this method, your existing pipes are relined with epoxy. This saves you the trouble of removing the old pipes; once they’re relined, they’ll work as efficiently as if they were a new sewer line.
These repair methods have only been around for the last two decades, making them relatively recent. The lack of digging minimizes costs, both in terms of labor and what you’d spend to fix your property afterward.
Open-Top Excavation
In cases where a trenchless sewer line repair isn’t viable, there is an alternative method:
An open-top sewer line excavation is time-consuming and labor-intensive, but it ensures that your sewer line is completely repaired. Holes must be dug on either side of the pipe and around it, too. As you can imagine, this means a large portion of your yard must be dug up.
Once the pipes are unearthed, the repairs can begin. Whether the pipe requires a total replacement or just an adjustment, the workers will have easy access to the sewer line.
An open-top excavation tends to be more affordable than a trenchless repair. It’s a reliable way to repair a faulty sewer line or replace it with an entirely new pipe. That being said, this method has its disadvantages—namely, the time it takes to complete, and the expense associated with repairing your yard.
At some point or another, most home and business owners deal with a damaged sewer line. A prompt replacement is the key to minimizing damage or exposure to any hazards. We also offer expert sewer backups repair, drain cleaning, and water heater repair to keep your home’s plumbing in excellent condition. Wondering which of these repair methods are best for your property? We can help!
$100 OFF
Emergency Drain Clean
Get in Touch With Our Team
Client Testimonials
REAL REVIEWS FROM REAL CLIENTS
D Ll
1 day ago
What else can I say other than..things never quit working at opportune times. So our water heater has been going down hill for a while. To be fair, it lasted almost 22 years! WL Staton was the only place to call me back in a prompt manner. They are the only one who came out to look and speak to me face to face. And Sam, the tech that showed up, was nothing short of amazing. He walked me through the process, made sure I was comfortable and had answered all of my questions. Were they the least expensive, no. But in my opinion it was worth it. It was not a contractor grade heater and Sam was a pro during every step of the way! Would definitely use them again and request Sam!
John Sigler
2 days ago
Mike Leedy went above and beyond on this service call. Technicians like him will keep customers coming back. Truly a wonderful experience all around.
Jamie Fynes
3 days ago
I’ve had Staton come to my home for both HVAC and plumbing maintenance/repair over the past year. Service has been excellent every time. The technicians let me know what was necessary and what was trivial; I never felt like they were trying to pressure me into anything. Most recently, Jason came out for a plumbing follow-up to replace a hose bib in our finished basement, which required cutting into the drywall. He did a great job covering up the hole in the drywall with an access panel; it looks like it has always been there. I’ll definitely be using Staton for future HVAC and plumbing services.
Quinn Peters
4 days ago
Jerrell (Jor-El) is a fantastic plumber and a great person to boot. Highly recommend having him over to do the high-quality work that he’s obviously capable of. Thank you very much Jerrell!
Matt Kramer came to do some work yesterday, it was very high-quality and I genuinely enjoyed chatting with Matt while he worked. Matt seems to be a very experienced plumber who had nothing but excellent things to say about working at Staton. I think it’s important to note that he said that Staton is an excellent business to work for. Any company that treats their employees this well, he’s gonna have my business going forward.
D Ll
4 days ago
What else can I say other than..things never quit working at opportune times. So our water heater has been going down hill for a while. To be fair, it lasted almost 22 years! WL Staton was the only place to call me back in a prompt manner. They are the only one who came out to look and speak to me face to face. And Sam, the tech that showed up, was nothing short of amazing. He walked me through the process, made sure I was comfortable and had answered all of my questions. Were they the least expensive, no. But in my opinion it was worth it. It was not a contractor grade heater and Sam was a pro during every step of the way! Would definitely use them again and request Sam!
Connor Lloyd
4 days ago
Our water heater all of the sudden stopped working and we had water dripping out the bottom. We were able to get a tech the same day. Sam was amazing, he taught us about the new water heater as he was installing it and we had a really good conversation throughout. Would give him 6 stars of I could.
C Webb
4 days ago
Cristian had great customer service! He was very professional and was quite knowledgeable of the systems. Would definitely recommend Staton!
Jeff Smith
4 days ago
Pleasant to work with and excellent work and very satisfied with Stephen Stuart will be using him again.
matthew kuhn
4 days ago
Cristian was helpful and explained all option clearly
Maryanne Means
4 days ago
Professional, Timely, work well done n pleasure to have in the home.