Serving central Maryland & eastern shore
Sewer Lines and Excavation
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.
Wondering which of these repair methods are best for your property? We can help!
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Client Testimonials
REAL REVIEWS FROM REAL CLIENTS
Patricia Clark
2 days ago
Vince was great! He reviewed everything that needed to get done, explained it in layman’s terms to me and got most of everything repaired in one hour. I really thought that my plumbing repairs were going to be complicated. Not So! I’m so glad I called Staton.
I called Staton again this time for my washer & dryer hook ups. The hot and cold valves were corroded from a previous leak. Frank was wonderful. He finished ahead of schedule and did a beautiful job.
Thanks Staton, thanks Frank
James Waters
2 days ago
They came on time and completed the work earlier than expected.
Ron Schneider
2 days ago
Great service. Always on time efficient. The work is done right the first time for a reasonable price. Joe is awesome.
Ron
Ben Carter
2 days ago
Knowledgeable and friendly service. James was punctual and knew exactly how to handle an issue with old cast iron pipes. Great work!
Jixa H
3 days ago
Tony, Justin and their team did a great and clean job setting up our new Dual AC system. Everything works well.
Joe Lafferty
3 days ago
Santos, was very thorough and knew his trade. My AC units are in way better condition.
Kevin Bradshaw
3 days ago
Thank you to Derick for getting our new furnace scheduled on a quick turnaround and Justin for installing it and doing a great job! Great customer service and answered all questions and even rewired our shutoff to make our space more functional and bring awareness to where the switch is.
Jennifer Dietrich
4 days ago
I’m glad I finally called experts. I had other companies come to assess a well pump situation, but when this company came out, the difference was clear. The process from diagnosis to repair was very transparent, fairly priced, and quickly accomplished. Rob Was friendly, professional, and communicative throughout the entire process. This company handled the situation that felt like I was not being taken advantage of, but was being guided through a remedy..
Chaffee Shopping
4 days ago
Technician was expedient and knowledgeable!
Lori Akguner
4 days ago
I highly recommend Staton and in particular Luke Perron! He is very knowledgeable and professional and patiently answered all my questions. He recognized a problem with my copper pipes and scheduled repairs for the next day. I'm very pleased with the outcome.