What You Need to Know About Trenchless Repairs

What is a Trenchless Sewer Repair?

If you’ve recently encountered a problem with your home’s sewer line, you might have been told that you will need to schedule a trenchless sewer repair. If this is the first time you’ve heard of this term, it may sound intense — however, it’s far from that.

Unlike a traditional sewer repair that requires trenching to get to the root of the problem (i.e., your lawn will be dug and ripped up), a trenchless repair skirts around that method and solves the issue without tearing your luscious greenery apart.

Now, before we get into the nitty-gritty of what you need to know about a trenchless repair, here are some signs you’ll need to schedule one in the first place:

Why Would I Need a Trenchless Sewer Repair?

Drains are Slow or Completely Clogged Completely

Typically when this happens, it indicates that your sewer line is blocked, which may lead to a backup. And if all of the fixtures in your home (i.e., sink, bathtub, etc.) are slowly draining at the same time, it can also indicate that you have a problem with your main sewer line.

You Smell Sewage Outside or in Your Basement

If there happens to be a crack in your sewer line, there’s a strong chance that you’ll smell the foul odor of sewage outside on your property or inside of your basement.

Unexplained Puddles of Wastewater in Your Lawn

When walking around your front lawn, did you happen to see random puddles across it? What about abnormally green patches of grass around your property? If you’ve seen either of these signs, it’s not only a cause for concern, but can also indicate that you have a cracked mainline, a broken septic tank, or clogs in the drain field.

What Can a Trenchless Sewer Repair Fix?

Damaged Sewer Pipe

When you notice either one or a few of the signs mentioned above, there’s a strong chance that there’s a damaged sewer pipe on your property that will need to be repaired as soon as possible. Failure to schedule a trenchless sewer repair, with a professional, right away could result in:

• Continued experience with slow draining drains.
• Continued blockages around your home.
• More unexplained puddles and putrid smells.

While there are some temporary fixes out there to make the problem disappear for a short time, those will only lead to more plumbing trouble and headaches. So, if your home requires a trenchless sewer repair, it’s essential to make your appointment immediately.

What Happens During a Trenchless Sewer Repair?

The Process of Trenchless Pipe Bursting

When the big day arrives for your trenchless sewer repair appointment, here’s what the process can look like:

1. First, the crew will search and locate the crack within the sewer line. Once they find it, they’ll be able to start the trenchless pipe bursting process — which is one of the four main common types of trenchless sewer repair services offered around the nation.
2. Next, a winch guides the pipe bursting tool through the original pipe.
3. After that, the expander displaces original pipe fragments into the surrounding soil, while the bursting head pulls in the new polyethylene pipe.
4. Finally, once that has been completed, the crew will reenter the line and will see if the pipe has been restored successfully.

Trenchless Sewer Repair in Seattle, WA

If you encounter a problem with your home’s sewer pipe, contact Fox Plumbing & Heating at (206) 309-4240. We have the skills and knowledge to solve even your most troublesome sewer-related issues. We’ll be able to get to the root of the problem in a quick and efficient manner and will help get your plumbing back in working order in no time at all.