Underground Pipe Repair Without Digging Up Your Yard

Many aspects of plumbing have changed over the years, and one of the biggest changes recently is how underground sewer pipes are repaired. Since the dawn of modern plumbing, fixing underground broken pipes was done one way. Dig a hole, find the break and replace it. Now new technology is making digging a thing of the past. We can now fix sewer pipes from the inside out. With many names and tactics ranging from bursting, grouting, patching, and lining; all of these “trenchless” options significantly reduce damage to a customer’s property and reduce the cost of fixing a broken line. With so many options it can be confusing which is right for you. Let’s go over some of the most common.

Patching is done when you have a relatively small area that is broken or separated. Patches come in different lengths, most common is a two-foot patch. A resin is poured onto a fiberglass mat which is rolled and pushed down the pipe to the affected area. Once in place an air bladder is blown up inside pushing the patch tight against the walls of the pipe. After a few hours of curing the bladder is deflated and pulled out. Leaving a thin “cast” of fiberglass around the diameter of the pipe, fixing the broken section and smoothing out any variations in the pipe.

Bursting is when the entire pipe is replaced with a new high density polyethylene pipe. It works by pulling a tool called a bursting head through the existing pipe which breaks the old pipe into pieces while pulling the new pipe behind it. This is done by using a heavy cable and hydraulic pulling machine.

Pipe Lining also gives the customer an entirely new sewer line. This is done with similar materials as pipe patching. A fiberglass liner is soaked in epoxy resin and pulled through the entire length of the sewer pipe. When the resin cures you essentially have a new pipe within your old one.

Grouting is used primarily inside the home or business to help correct leaks in piping installed inside walls. A head and spinning brush are pushed into the pipe, then a resin is sprayed and spread over the piping filling in any breaks or rough spots. The spinning brush smooths out the resin to insure a smooth drain. This method works great for rehabbing whole buildings. Not only is there no cutting into the walls but after only a few hours the plumbing can be used again.

All of these types of sewer repair and replacement methods are very common today because they are fast, economical and non-invasive. If you have plumbing that is leaking underground or roots have been an issue in the past, call Gold Seal Plumbing. A sewer camera inspection will show any problems you may have with your piping. If you do have some issues, we can go over the options to make a permanent fix. Most liners have a 50-year warranty so you can rest assured that your sewer issues will be solved for a very long time.