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Trenchless pipe lining can be an extremely effective option for repairing and preserving an older sewer line. When the process is done correctly by an experienced plumbing company, it should allow the existing sewer line to last for around another 50 years in most cases. That said, the sewer pipe still needs to be regularly inspected and maintained or else it likely won’t last nearly as long as it could. Here, we’ll explain everything you need to know about pipe lining, including how it works and what types of sewer issues it can repair.
What Issues Can Pipe Lining Repair?
Pipe lining is a great option for repairing a sewer line that is leaking due to cracks and tree root intrusion. It can also preserve a sewer line that is affected by rust and corrosion and at a high risk of leaking in the future. Unfortunately, it won’t work if the sewer line has major damage or if a section of the pipe is broken or collapsed. In this case, you’d still need to have the damaged, broken or collapsed part of the pipe dug up and replaced. However, you can usually then line the rest of the existing sewer line to extend its lifespan. This will usually be less expensive than digging up and replacing the entire sewer line.
The only way for a plumbing company to determine if pipe lining is an option for repairing a sewer line is to inspect the pipe with a camera. This allows them to identify the specific sewer line issues and determine the extent of the damage. Even if the pipe only has minor damage, there are still a few specific situations where pipe lining won’t work to overcome your sewer issues. One situation is if the sewer line has settled and has a sag or belly in it that prevents waste from draining properly. Another issue is if the existing sewer line doesn’t have sufficient slope since this will also prevent waste from draining properly and lead to the sewer line frequently clogging.
Pipe lining can usually be performed on any type of sewer pipe. However, if your home has an old clay sewer line, many plumbers will still recommend just replacing it instead of trying to repair it through pipe lining. The main reason is that old clay pipes tend to be quite brittle. This means that the sewer line could still end up collapsing in the future even after being lined.
How Pipe Lining Works
Pipe lining repairs a sewer line from the inside and essentially creates a new pipe within the existing sewer line. The process is done by inserting a flexible fiberglass or polyester liner or tube soaked with epoxy resin into the sewer line. The line is normally inserted through a sewer cleanout either inside the house on the vertical plumbing stack or outside in the yard. However, the plumber will need to access both ends of the sewer line. That means they’ll have to dig a small hole in the street where your sewer line meets the municipal sewer main. The lower section of the pipe between your yard and the sewer main may still be in good condition. If so, they may instead just dig a hole at the edge of your yard near the street or sidewalk.
The first step is to perform a camera inspection to determine the condition of the pipe. This inspection is also necessary to measure how long the sewer line is so that the plumber can cut the liner to the right length. The next step is for the plumber to fully clean the sewer line either by rooting, hydro jetting or sometimes both. This step is important for removing tree roots, rust, etc. and also for ensuring that the liner can fully bond with the inside of the pipe.
After cutting the liner to the correct length, the plumber fully saturates it in a two-part epoxy resin and then pulls it through the pipe. A rubber bladder is then inserted into the liner and inflated, which pushes the liner up against the interior walls of the pipe. The next step is to cure the resin so that it hardens and bonds with the existing pipe. This is normally done by first running hot water through the pipe to start curing the resin and then using ultraviolet light to finish hardening it.
The rubber bladder is left in place during the hardening process to ensure that the entire length of the liner bonds with the pipe. After the resin is fully cured, the plumber will then deflate the bladder and perform another camera inspection just to make sure everything is as it should be. Once the process is complete, what’s left is an extremely strong, durable lining that fully repairs any damage to the existing pipe and ensures the sewer line can no longer leak.
How to Know When Sewer Repairs Are Necessary
Spotting the signs that your sewer line needs to be repaired is usually fairly easy. Tree root intrusion is one of the main sources of sewer issues and will almost always lead to the sewer line clogging up fairly frequently. If your sewer line is merely clogged, having it hydro jetted or rooted will allow it to again work properly. If tree roots are present, you’ll definitely want to have your sewer line repaired or else the roots will quickly return.
No matter what the cause of the clog is, you’ll eventually end up with sewage and wastewater backing up inside your house and overflowing out of shower and floor drains on the lowest level of your home. Luckily, you’ll usually notice other issues with your plumbing and drains before your sewer line fully clogs. In most cases, you’ll see that your drains are slower than normal and your toilets don’t flush properly. You’ll also often hear your toilets and drains making a chugging or gurgling sound as the water goes down.
If your sewer line is leaking, you will often also notice some obvious signs outside your house, such as a strong sewage odor. Another thing to watch for is if the ground near the sewer line is wetter than the rest of your yard or feels soft and spongy when you walk on it. A sewer line leak will often also cause the grass or vegetation near the leak to grow faster and look healthier and greener than the rest of the yard. This happens because the water and waste leaking out of the pipe feed and nourish the grass in that area.
If you ever notice any of these issues, you’ll definitely want to get your sewer line inspected as soon as possible. Should you wait, the problem will likely only get worse and could result in you needing to have your sewer line replaced.
Call the Professionals
At Black-Haak, we’ve been providing expert home services in Greenville and the Fox Valley area since 1956. We’re a local, family-owned company that is ready to help you overcome any plumbing, drain and sewer issues your home has. We provide 24/7 services, so you can count on us whenever an emergency issue arises. To schedule a sewer inspection or any electrical, heating or air conditioning service, contact us today.
