If you have sewer line blockage issues in your home, you need to address them immediately. A backed-up sewer can cause expensive structural problems and release foul-smelling, unhealthy odors into your home.
If you’re located in Southeast Michigan or the surrounding area, Hoover Electric, Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling can help. Our trenchless sewer line repair method addresses the problem quickly, economically, and with minimal digging and disruption.
Warning Signs Your Sewer Line Is Blocked
A sewer line block can begin in a neighbor’s system or in the municipal system and spill into your pipes. Foreign objects and substances, such as tree roots, grease, hair, bathroom waste, and non-biodegradable waste, can also cause sewer clogs. Here are some warning signs of sewer back-ups:
- Reduced water pressure causes toilets, sinks, and showers to drain slowly or not at all, creating the need to repeatedly plunge your drains
- Water or sewage backing up into one or multiple showers and floor drains when you flush a toilet
- The smell of sewage could mean potentially dangerous gasses are being released into your home
- Clanking and gurgling noises, especially if they increase in regularity and volume
- Increased water bills could be an indication of a blockage, which can stress your entire system
- Insect and rodent infestations
- Cracks in your home’s foundation
- Standing water in your basement and yard
What Are the Consequences of a Clogged Drain?
Sewer clogs can be serious, especially if left unchecked. In addition to plumbing issues, there are structural, health, and safety issues to consider. The longer you wait to address sewer line obstructions, the more expensive and disruptive the repairs will be.
- Unaddressed clogs can cause long-term damage to your pipes. Residue and buildup can be corrosive and result in pipes bursting.
- Long-term pipe blockages can smell bad and create pools of standing water in your yard, damaging landscaping and attracting pests.
- Backed-up sewage and standing water can be breeding grounds for dangerous germs, bacteria, and other pathogens that can attack your gastrointestinal and respiratory systems. Tainted water could also seep into groundwater, creating a public health concern.
- A blockage can impact your home’s structural integrity. Leaks can lead to soil erosion and create sinkholes, which can cause your home’s foundation to crack or shift.
Traditional Sewer Line Repair: The Messy Truth
Traditional sewer line repair can be messy, smelly, and disruptive. Outside the home, extensive trenches may need to be dug to access pipes and your home’s foundation, potentially destroying the yard and landscaping.
Inside the home, repairs could include cutting holes in floors and walls and temporarily limiting or eliminating access to the kitchen and bathroom. The job can take weeks or longer to complete.
Trenchless Sewer Repair: The Modern Solution
Hoover’s trenchless repair — or no-dig sewer repair — largely eliminates property damage and disruption to your life. Generally, there’s minimal digging, preserving the appearance of your home and yard. Trenchless repair is fast, less disruptive, and cost-saving in the long run.
Below are the different methods of trenchless sewer line repair:
- Pipelining (cured-in-place pipe, CIPP): Hoover’s CIPP no-dig method addresses relatively minor damage. An epoxy resin liner is inserted into the pipe through a manhole or excavation point, inflated, and allowed to cure, sealing the damaged area.
- Sewer pipe clamps: A corrosion-resistant clamp is used to seal small cracks in your pipe. This method requires digging only a small hole.
- Pull-in-place lining: Two access points are dug, and an epoxy liner is pulled through the pipe. Air is sent through to expand the liner, then steam, which adheres the liner to the interior of the pipe.
- Pipe bursting: Pipe bursting is a no-dig method for more severely damaged pipes. Two access points are dug, and a hydraulically-powered bursting head is inserted into the pipes. The machine breaks apart the old pipe and pushes it aside while simultaneously pulling the new pipe into place.
- Directional drilling: This method involves slightly more digging because a new tunnel is created. A horizontal drilling machine drills into the ground and creates a new tunnel under your existing, damaged pipes, where new pipes are then inserted. The old pipes can then be removed or left in place.
- Sliplining: A trench is dug, and smaller diameter “carrier” pipes are inserted into the existing line. Grout is used to fill the void between the old and new pipes.
- Internal pipe coating: This method is used for larger pipe repairs. The line is drained and pressure-washed to remove debris. Once dry, the interior of the pipe is sprayed with epoxy coating to seal leaks and cracks.
Is Trenchless Sewer Repair Right for Your Home?
Trenchless sewer repair works in many instances, but not all. If your pipes are old, collapsed, or misaligned, or if the damage is extensive, trenchless methods may not work. Hoover’s technicians meet with you, evaluate your situation, and create a solution that best suits your needs.
Call Hoover Today
Hoover Electric, Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling has provided exceptional, competitively priced service to the Clinton Township and Troy areas since 1980. If you have backed-up pipes or any other plumbing, heating, or cooling needs, contact us to schedule a service and receive a free estimate.
FAQ
How long do trenchless repairs take?
Repairs can often be completed in as little as one day. However, it depends on the project, but the process is faster than traditional sewer repair.
How expensive is trenchless sewer repair?
Upfront costs can be expensive. However, less digging and less disruption to your home, yard, and landscaping may save you money in the long run.
Do trenchless repairs last as long as traditional methods?
Trenchless pipe lining is water-resistant and doesn’t rust. They can actually last longer than steel pipes.
