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. 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!
Get in Touch With Our Team
Client Testimonials
REAL REVIEWS FROM REAL CLIENTS
Judy DePompeo
2 days ago
Robert and Logan were great! They installed a new state-of-the-art hot water heater and a utility tub. Robert explained everything and provided troubleshooting suggestions for a flawless plumbing experience. We are very happy with WL Staton for providing us with an expert in his field. They will be our first choice in plumbing and HVAC needs!
Jon L
2 days ago
Joe did an amazing job at my historic property downtown w a major leak . Staton is my go to for over 27 properties .
denise grady
2 days ago
My Plummer did an excellent job! Highly recommended. Fair pricing and membership. Very pleased with the services!
Stephanie Henson
3 days ago
My technicians were Keith and Allen. From the moment they entered my home they explained in detail the work that was going to take place. They even provided photos. The price quoted was exactly what I was asked to pay except for the discount that was provided. I was never pressured to purchase additional services. I highly recommend Staton for any of your plumbing needs.
Rhonda Orin
4 days ago
Our water stopped working on a snowy Friday night — a disaster! But only until Saturday morning, when we met master plumber Keith Turner. Keith calmly fixed everything! It’s rare to find someone like that — boy, were we lucky.
Karla Kurfess
4 days ago
Very polite, very thorough, explained things clearly and provided alternate solutions.
Constance Hollidayoke
5 days ago
Luke was knowledgeable and efficient in getting the job done. Also very personable and friendly. Laughed with us at our embarrassing situation. Would definitely request his help again. Thank you so much
Timothy Leonardi
6 days ago
Stanton’s Matt McClure did an amazing job replacing our failed sump pump. He took the time to explain everything and ensured that along with the new pump he made adjustments to our system to prevent this issue in the future. We also appreciate Stephanie’s efforts to get a technician to us in less than 24 hours after our call. We felt the price for the repair was fair, and Matt ensured we received the current $75 coupon for plumbing work. We continue to be impressed with Stanton’s professionalism and value- Matt is a shining example of the type of service that makes Stanton our first call if we have an issue.
MC Garnett
6 days ago
Tony & Antonio did an guys job despite the challenges of a 50 year old furnace 15 year old water heater, & "interesting" work by whoever walked in the utility room. They made everything work. Thank you to then and the company for arranging things around weather problems.
Robert Sherman
6 days ago
From the online scheduling, then Steve the technician that came out to see about the repair of our furnace everything was good. Unfortunately we got the bad news that our furnace had to be replaced. Then Derick came out to give us an estimate for the furnace replacement. Stanton really worked with us and made this purchase an easy decision. We were scheduled for a next day Saturday install. Justin came out, he didn’t have a problem with me observing him while he did his job. After he was finished, he gave us a great overview of our new furnace and all the features of it. I would highly recommend Steve, Derick, and Justin from Stanton any HVAC needs.