Sewer
Your sewer system controls how waste and wastewater is removed from your home, so you want to make sure that system is running perfectly. Any issues like corrosion, cracked pipes, or blockages can cause major problems that are not only expensive to repair, but can even affect the health of your family. This is because sewer waste emits harmful gasses that can enter your home if not properly eliminated off your property.
At R&D Construction, our expert team manages your sewer system throughout every stage, from installation to inspections, repairs, and replacements. We have extensive experience working with a range of pipe materials on a variety of property types, and we understand how to work efficiently and effectively with any sewer system. If you need help with your sewer system, we’re your team!
Sewer Installation
Sewer installation is a delicate process that requires expert know-how about the exact way to angle the pipes for optimum flow away from your house. Every property is different, so every job needs its own calculations to determine the proper slope of the pipes. Determining factors include how deep the pipe is buried and how long the pipe is. If the slope is too steep, wastewater will flow too quickly, leaving solid wastes behind to cause clogs and backups. If the slope isn’t steep enough, the water won’t be able to drain away properly, causing pockets of water to build up and eventually backup.
During installation, the goal is not to disturb your property more than absolutely necessary. That means we expertly dig a narrow trench–only as wide as we need–and keep the soil compacted. When the pipe is laid and inspected, we fill in the trench–first with sand, for pipe protection, and then with soil in compacted layers. We take every precaution to make sure the pipe is safe and doesn’t settle out of place. We also evaluate the tree root placements on your property and do our best to install your sewer pipes as far from those roots as possible.
Sewer pipes are regulated regarding their material and width. Standard sewer pipes are made of PVC and are four inches wide, connected by gaskets or solvent glue. They are installed section by section, starting from the lower elevation, where they connect to the city main, and working their way up towards your house.
Our sewer installation services include:
- Surveying your property to establish the elevation of the sewer line
- Determine the slope of the pipe
- Digging as narrow a trench as possible
- Laying bedding to prevent pipe settling
- Pipe install
- Sewer lateral inspection
- Trench backfill
Video Sewer Inspection
Your sewer line works hard to keep your home free of waste, but it is not impervious to problems. Grease, hair, and other debris that improperly ends up down your drains can cause buildups that lead to clogs. Tree roots can also contribute to clogs, and can cause cracks and even complete breakage of your pipes. Unfortunately, the fact that your sewer pipes are underground means you won’t become aware of an issue until it starts to cause noticeable damage. A sewer inspection is key to catching any developing issues early so you can deal with them before they cause problems in your home.
Our experienced team uses specialized video cameras to look inside your pipes so we can get a clear view of any corroded areas, pockets of water that aren’t flowing properly, cracks, debris, tree roots, and anything else that might be causing issues. This information will direct us on how to repair your problem. Ideally, the video inspection will show perfect pipes and you’ll have the peace of mind knowing your sewer system is in excellent shape.
Sewer Repair
If you haven’t done an inspection of your sewer pipes, you will eventually learn that you have an issue in your sewer system due to some unignorable clues. These include:
- Backed up drains–especially if it’s multiple drains in your home
- A distinct sewage smell, either inside your home or outside on your property
- A soggy area in your soil
- Unexplainably lush areas of your lawn
- A crack in your driveway or pavement
- Cracks in your foundation
If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to get help right away. Sewer issues that are left for too long can cause significant damage to the foundation of your home and to the health of the people living in it. Backed up sewage releases harmful gasses and can cause mold to grow. Additionally, the greater the damage, the more expensive and involved the repairs.
In the event that your sewer pipes need attention, we offer several different repair and replacement options:
Trenchless Sewer Pipe Lining Or Replacement
Trenchless sewer repair is a quick, minimally-invasive, cost-effective alternative to the traditional routine of fixing damaged sewer pipes. Our expert team is able to repair damaged sewer pipes without excavation, avoiding the potential property damage that comes along with traditional methods.
Some trenchless sewer repairs can now be done in hours versus days. We simply dig out a 4-ft by 4-ft section in order to gain access to the pipe. This means trenchless sewer repairs can be done quicker than traditional repairs.
Trenchless sewer pipe lining is commonly referred to as cured-in-place pipe lining (CIPP). This technique creates a new pipe inside your old, damaged one.
The procedure for trenchless sewer pipe lining is as follows:
- First, we evaluate the structural integrity of the pipe. If the pipe is relatively in good shape, then we know lining it will be an effective repair choice.
- Next, we clear the line of roots and any other debris that could be causing damage and getting in the way of clear water flow. The severity of this debris is determined by a CCTV sewer inspection.
- Then, we dig the 4×4 foot section needed in order to access the damaged sewer pipe. The liner is then shot into the existing pipe, where it has to cure for a few hours. After the liner has finished curing, you have a new pipe.
- Before we finish, we perform one last CCTV sewer inspection to ensure the pipe is solid.
Pipe Bursting is another trenchless sewer repair method, traditionally used for straight runs. If a broken or damaged sewer pipe has lost its structural integrity completely, this approach is often the best plan. A high-density polyethylene (HDPE) is used to replace the unsalvageable sewer pipe.
Steps:
- As with pipe lining, a CCTV inspection is required.
- Once again, we dig a 4×4 section to gain access to the sewer pipe.
- Using a powerful hydraulic system, a new HDPE is pulled into the existing pipe, rupturing the old pipe as the new pipe takes its place.
- We perform one last final CCTV sewer inspection and the brand new pipe is complete.
Trenchless sewer repair can be used for the following situations:
- Leaky pipes
- Cracked pipes
- Underneath commercial and residential buildings
- Corroded pipes
It is helpful to Tacoma and Pierce County residents to understand what factors contribute to sewer line repairs and replacement.
- Tree roots penetrating or growing in your sewer line
- Sewer line collapsing
- Old sewer pipes
No matter the reason, getting a professional is the only way to mitigate the concern. Call R&D Construction today!
Private Sewer Lateral Repairs Or Replacements
Laterals are the places where private sewer pipes connect with the city’s sewer system. If the lateral is damaged, your sewer waste will not be able to properly exit your property. It can also cause damaging issues on public land. Our expert team will repair or replace your sewer laterals so your sewer system can seamlessly eject the waste for your property to the city main. One method we use is called pipe bursting. It works by inserting a new pipe into the old one until the old pipe bursts. The pieces of the old pipe are then absorbed into the surrounding soil.
Rerouting Sewer Laterals
Sometimes, laterals need to be rerouted in order to more effectively drain wastewater from your property toward the city main. This kind of repair requires expert understanding of the way sewer lines function and how to determine the most appropriate slope for the pipes. Our experienced team can reroute sewer laterals with minimal disturbance to your property.
Hydro Jetting
An effective way to clear a blockage in your pipes is through hydro jetting. A hydro jet is an instrument that forcefully blows pressurized water into your sewer pipes to push the blockage out and to clean any buildup of grease and debris. Hydro jetting is safe for all pipe materials and does not use any chemicals, making it an eco-friendly solution.
No matter the reason, getting a professional is the only way to mitigate the concern. Call R&D Construction today!
FAQ
What are the advantages of trenchless sewer repair compared to traditional methods?
Trenchless sewer repair provides numerous advantages over traditional methods, such as minimal property disruption, faster completion, cost-effectiveness, and environmental friendliness. Methods like pipe lining or bursting require less excavation, preserving landscaping and property structures.
How does video sewer inspection help in diagnosing sewer line issues?
Video sewer inspection enables a visual inspection of sewer pipes using specialized cameras. This helps identify issues like corrosion, cracks, blockages, and tree root intrusion, aiding in recommending suitable repair or replacement solutions.
What is involved in the trenchless sewer pipe lining process?
Trenchless sewer pipe lining, also called cured-in-place pipe lining (CIPP), follows several steps. We assess the pipe's condition, clear debris, and create a small access point. The liner is inserted and cured in place, forming a new pipe within the old one. A final inspection ensures the repair's success.