Facts About Excavation & Sewer Line Repair

Not many homeowners think about the health of their home’s sewer lines or whether they are operating properly, but they are an integral element of any working home. And as the years go on, sewer line repair and replacement may be required. If sewer lines fall into disrepair it can result in costly damage to your property and even create health and safety issues for your family.    

Poor sewer line maintenance can lead to blockages and clogs that surpass scheduling a routine service call with a licensed plumber. When sewer line problems become extreme, you’ll not only need the help of a seasoned team of plumbers but also an excavation contractor. Fortunately, there are local home service companies that offer both expert plumbing services and excavation services. Before you book a sewer line repair consultation, it may be wise to understand some facts about excavation and sewer line repair. 

Facts About Excavation & Sewer Line Repair

Sewer line repair and excavation will require the help of both a plumber and an excavation expert. There are several strategies that may be taken to repair sewer lines. Gaining access to the clogged or damaged section of the sewer line may involve removing pieces of asphalt or concrete, while other methods may be less invasive. It all depends on the extent of the sewer line repair project and how much of the sewer line needs to be addressed. There are two main sewer line repair methods that are used in sewer excavation… 

• External Sewer Line Excavation – External excavation is the traditional process of sewer line repair and has been around for years. During external sewer pipe excavation, a plumber and contractor will work hand-in-hand to dig trenches around the sewer line to expose the pipe and gain access to it. Once they diagnose the problem, the sewer line is either repaired or replaced entirely. While this method is productive and the most common way to repair a sewer line, it often can damage the surrounding landscape and/or concrete. 
• Interior Access Sewer Line Repair – Interior line repair is less invasive than external excavation. Rather than having to dig a large trench, this is a more targeted form of sewer line repair that doesn’t require contractors to dig large trenches or uproot landscaping. However, trenchless sewer line excavation is more expensive. But if you weigh the costs of having to replace landscaping, broken walkways, or risk causing harm to the foundation of your home, the cost and inconvenience may even themselves out. There is always the possibility that if upon inspection, the sewer line is found to be too extensively damaged it will require further excavation. 
• Combination Sewer Repair Methods – As mentioned above, there may be instances where a combination of excavation techniques are used to properly repair sewer lines and/or replace the entire line. This may require drilling access holes where piping can run through so that it can be placed in the existing sewer line. While a combination of methods isn’t ideal and can become more costly to the homeowner and disruptive to the exterior of the property, it is sometimes the only way to accomplish the sewer line repair project. 

Reasons to Excavate Sewer Lines

Not many homeowners are jumping at the chance to have the outside of their property excavated. After all, it’s a hassle and causes a great deal of upheaval in your day-to-day routine. But if your sewer line needs to be repaired, you’re left with little choice. Here are the top reasons to fix sewer lines and avoid further complications and costs. 

• Damaged Sewer Line – Sewer lines can become damaged due to multiple factors. It isn’t uncommon for tree roots to grow through the existing sewer line and create clogs and damage. That could be one reason. Another contributing cause could be years of flushing things other than toilet paper down the toilet or pouring grease and other drain-clogging debris down your drains.

• Installing a New Septic System – When you’re changing from a traditional septic tank to the city sewer system, you’ll need a new sewer line to make the switch. You might choose this option if your old one needs repairs or because of new laws in your area that require new septic systems in place to be in code with newer infrastructure. 

• New Construction – Installing a new sewer line is an essential part of building any home or business. Excavations are necessary to install new sewer lines so that the property can have access to clean water.

At the end of the day, your plumber and excavation contractors will know the best approach to take to replace or repair your sewer line. Regardless of which method is chosen by the team, it is inevitable that your sewer line will need servicing throughout its lifespan. This will be dependent on how old the underground infrastructure of the property is and if the sewer lines have been maintained throughout the years. 

Contact Sky Heating for Sewer Line Repair

If you are having an issue with your sewer and are in need of expert sewer line replacement or repair, call the trusted excavation team at Sky Heating. Our technicians and excavation contractors are fully trained and equipped to quickly determine the source of the problem and correct it. In addition to repairs and sewer line replacement, we provide ductwork, air quality, and plumbing services in Portland, Gresham, The Dalles, and elsewhere across Oregon and Southwest Washington. Call us at 541-275-2918 or reach out online to schedule sewer line service.