Did you know that water supply systems have been around for over 5,000 years? Today they evolved into heavy-duty pipelines that supply water to your home and businesses in your city. Since the 1970s, pipe materials have grown sturdier; however, they remain susceptible to issues that require professional resolution. Common problems for homeowners include sewer backup, blockages, burst pipes, and more. And while there are certain things you can do on your own to improve or prevent these issues from arising your underground plumbing requires special tools and expertise from a licensed plumber.
1: Inspection
You know something is not working right when your water pressure drops. This affects the flow of water that supplies your faucets, toilets, shower, and other appliances. If the issue affects your entire building, you should call a plumber to conduct an investigation. And no one knows plumbing anatomy like The Pipe Doctor.
To start, the plumber will come in and start their investigation. When searching for a blockage, technicians can conduct a camera inspection to locate the problem area. Sewer camera inspections are a minimally invasive procedure that allows professionals to identify the source of your problem for effective repairs. They serve as the precursor to pinpointing issues and implementing the appropriate solutions.
2: Stubborn blockages
If the sewer camera reveals a blockage requiring moderate pressure for resolution, hydro jetting provides the solution. This is a service that uses a hose with a rotating nozzle that shoots water pressurized at 4,000 psi through the affected pipe, thereby clearing the materials affecting your water flow.
3: Damaged pipe repair or replacement
Wherever the source of the problem is, a plumber can find it and fix it. Older homes means older pipelines, and as time goes on they become weaker and more susceptible to damage, leading to leaks or bursts.
4: External plumbing issues
The name itself is a little misleading because these pipes are usually found underground. A side sewer line connects an individual property plumbing system to the main water line, and the main water line is the connection to the public sewer system. When either of these pipes are affected, there are two ways to solve them:
1 – Trenchless sewer repair
Whether it is sewer repair or side sewer repair, you can count on The Pipe Doctor to help you out. We offer trenchless sewer repair in greater Seattle, which is lower cost and takes less time. If the above steps don’t solve the problem, we can solve the problem this way most of the time. Here is how it goes:
1 – First, we must inspect the plumbing system, and that involves using our sewer camera to see what is causing the problem.
2 – Next, if the problem is not too severe and the pipe can be salvaged we clean it and remove any debris and blockages involved.
3 – Two methods exist for repairing a salvageable pipe already in place without resorting to expensive excavation techniques: pipe bursting and cured in-place piping.
Pipe Bursting: We pull a new pipe through the old one, causing the old one to burst – however, this does not damage the plumbing in your home because the new pipe just takes the place of the old one.
CIPP or Cured in Place Pipe: sometimes an older pipe just needs a little reassurance, in which case we use this technique. Plumbers insert a flexible liner into the existing damaged sewer line, inflate it to fit, and cure it to remodel the pipe within the old one.
4 – Inspection: After completing the procedure, we conduct a final test and walk-through to verify the pipe’s repair and restore any disturbances, such as landscape and paving adjustments.
2 – Trench sewer repair
This is the last resort, but we can do it. For significant sewer line repairs, additional work may be necessary to complete the task. It is very similar to the above procedure, but excavation to the pipeline is necessary for proper repairs so the plumbing specialist can implement the proper tools needed for the fix. This requires digging, whether by trenchman or a backhoe, to expose the afflicted pipe. Subsequently, repairs and replacements can occur, and as mentioned earlier, we inspect the disturbed area, then cover it with soil and compact it for adequate support.
There are many simple fixes for plumbing problems around the house that you can do yourself, like using chemicals to treat simple pipe blockages or adjusting the water level in your toilet bowl. But what about external plumbing problems? The pipes that connect your home or building to the main water line require the help of a plumbing specialist. If you’re in the greater Seattle area, The Pipe Doctor has a team of licensed plumbers ready to investigate, assess, and repair the problem.