Three Things To Consider Before Replacing Your Property's Sewer Line

Sewer lines channel all the wastewater from the sinks, showers, toilets, and bathtubs toward the main sewer or the septic system. Therefore, a damaged sewer line can cause untreated sewage to leak onto your property. If your sewer line is damaged, you should replace it to restore wastewater drainage. However, before you do so, consider the issues below. 

Check If You Can Repair the Pipe

Replacing a sewer line can be complex, costly, and invasive. Therefore, before you go down this route, check whether sewer line repair is an option. Below are the forms of damage you can fix by repairing the pipe:

• Minor invasion by tree roots
• Minor-to-moderate breakage in the pipe
• Corroded sewer line
• Damaged joints 

You can restore your sewer line using the cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) relining technique. This method involves inserting a structural liner into the pipe and allowing it to cure and bond with the piping. This process creates a new, toughened pipe that is resistant to root damage, corrosion, and breakage.

However, if your sewer line is severely damaged or collapsed, pipe relining may not be effective or durable. You should replace the pipe to avoid costly repairs in the future. Therefore, use a video camera to inspect the entire sewer line and identify the extent of the damage.

Determine the Cause of Pipe Damage

An in-depth sewer line assessment will help you choose materials that can resist damage. For example, if your sewer line is in the path of tree roots, you can opt for steel or PVC pipes, as they can resist tree roots better than clay or concrete pipes. Alternatively, you can install a root barrier along the sewer line to keep out tree roots.

If your sewer line failed because of poor design, you could redesign it to prevent future failure. For example, you could use fewer joints to lower the risk of clogs, joint misalignment, and leaks. Also, if the line collapsed due to vehicular traffic, consider rerouting it away from high-traffic areas of your property.

Opt for Non-Invasive Replacement Methods

A sewer line replacement project doesn't need to involve invasive excavations on your property. Excavation destroys landscapes, forcing users to spend money on landscape restoration. You can choose a trenchless or non-invasive pipe replacement technique instead. The most popular one is pipe bursting. This method uses a bursting tool to force out the old pipe. A new pipe is installed in its place without excavating the ground. All you need to do is dig up tiny access points on each end of the sewer line.

A sewer line replacement can be complex, invasive, and costly. Therefore, engage professionals to ensure the project runs smoothly. Contact a plumbing service in your area such as Acme Plumbing  for non-invasive sewer line replacement.