A damaged main drain line is much worse than a simple clog. Cleaning out the line isn't enough; you must also have the damage repaired. Repair techniques, such as trenchless versus traditional, depend greatly on the type and cause of the damage.
1. Extensive Root Damage
Generally, root intrusion into a pipe requires mechanical root removal and perhaps a chemical treatment to prevent the roots from growing back. Sometimes, though, a more thorough repair is needed. Extensive damages that affect more than a short section of piping will still require removal, but then it may be necessary to have a trenchless repair performed. This effectively relines the pipe so that roots can't easily penetrate it again.
2. Bellied Pipes
Bellying is caused by shifting soils around the pipe. A void forms below the sewer lines, sometimes due to natural soil shifts and other times in response to a leak from the pipe itself. A section of the pipe then settles into this void, which causes the joints to separate on either end of the bellied section. A bellied pipe can't be fixed by relining since the pipe lengths no longer line up. Instead, the section is dug up and seated back into place.
3. Pipe Collapse
Pipes can also collapse due to a combination of soil shifts and age. Soil pressure on the pipes, which can sometimes be exacerbated by pressure from large tree roots, causes a pipe to collapse. If the collapse is partial, the pipe can sometimes be opened back up using a trenchless liner installation. More severe collapses may require digging up and replacing the damaged pipe length.
4. Outdated Materials
Old sewer line materials may be aging to the point where repair is no longer possible. Excessive degradation from rust and corrosion is a common issue. The pipes are simply falling apart in the ground. A trenchless relining may provide a short-term solution, but severe degradation can't be permanently fixed in this manner so a full sewer line replacement will eventually be needed.
5. Cracks and Breaks
Cracks and breaks along a drain line can be a severe issue or a cause for minor repairs. Breaks along joints are relatively common and are typically fixed with a trenchless relining. Major cracking along the entire length of a pipe section, though, can mean failure of the line is imminent. The damage must be assessed to determine if relining is an option or if replacement is the better solution.
Contact a drain line repair service if you suspect issues with your home's main sewer line.
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