Sewage lines require immediate attention when they are damaged. Delays in fixing them can result in foul smells permeating your home, which is not only bothersome but can be detrimental to your family’s health.

Since sewer lines are mostly underground, plumbers will need to dig to get to the bottom (pun not intended) of the problem. The excavation process involves removing the topsoil using high-pressure water to reveal the pipeline beneath.

Conditions When Excavation Is Needed

While no one likes to have their properties dug up, the following situations call for it:

1. Broken Sewage Line

Grease and foreign objects flushed down the drain can clog and damage sewage lines. Plumbers will need to replace this line or a part of the line by physically accessing it via a dug-up hole. Regular drain cleaning and routine sewage line maintenance are necessary to avoid invasive and often costly excavations.

2. Septic System Update

Repairing a damaged septic tank usually requires a new sewage line, which means plumbers will have to dig to lay out the new pipeline. This also applies if there are changes in the existing municipal rules regarding septic tanks and sewer lines. In both cases, excavation is the only way to get these done.

3. New Building Construction

A sewer line and other underground connections are essential systems installed during the construction of a new property. The only way builders can install them is by excavating the land.

4. Poor Soil Condition

The condition of the soil can also cause problems with many sewer lines. When the soil moves due to climatic changes, the line can end up damaged. Often, this will crack and collapse and cannot be fixed using a no-dig method.

5. Tree Root Intrusion

Trees within or close to your home can invade sewage lines and cause blockage. This can be difficult to resolve if you opt for no-dig methods.

6. Blockages

Apart from tree roots, some obstructions cannot completely be removed if the pipe is not accessible. This is the case with corroded pipes needing to be replaced. To do this, plumbing excavation is required.

7. Old Pipes

Sewer lines can be made of different materials, including metal, clay, plastic, and concrete. Regardless of the material used, pipes will age over time, and corrosion will eventually set in. When this happens, you might need excavation services to repair or replace the old lines.

Types of Sewage Line Excavations

Excavation can be performed in any of the following four ways:

1. External

Of the various excavation methods, this is heavily dependent on labor. Nevertheless, external excavation is quite effective when reaching underground pipes. Plumbers and builders have used it for many years, especially when working in a generally large area.

2. Rerouting

This is a trenchless repair method that reroutes sewage lines from the outside. Rerouting is less expensive as it does not require much digging. It is also less invasive and leaves much of your property relatively untouched.

3. Interior

In this excavation technique, plumbers use a jackhammer to penetrate the ground or slab to find and repair the source of a leak. Interior excavation is less damaging and more economical, but it can be invasive, especially in homes where the sewage leak is located indoors. Flooring or carpeting often gets damaged, which can require replacement.

4. Pipe Bursting

A pneumatic or hydraulic head is used to remove old pipes. Afterward, new pipes are installed using a special lining. Pressure is then applied on the lining, so this will expand and fill the pipes.

5. Open-Top Excavation

Open-top excavation is a reliable and affordable digging method. However, the completion time can be long and often means digging up the entire area surrounding the damaged pipe.

6. Combination Method

Usually, plumbers use a combination of excavation methods when repairing a damaged sewage line. This will often depend on the layout of your property and the type of sewer line repairs needed.

The Excavation Process

Before starting the digging process, excavators must mark all utility lines because if they accidentally hit these, it can result in service disruption, if not serious injuries to the workers or passersby. Planning things out ensure everyone is safe and that the excavation job succeeds.

An excavation plumber will often use video inspection cameras to see the inside of the pipes, assess their condition, and choose the best strategy to use so the problem can be resolved. Before doing the repair work, plumbers may also need to secure all necessary permits.

What To Look For When Hiring an Excavation Plumber

When looking for excavation contractors, consider the following:

1. Licenses and Insurance

Hire only plumbing service providers that are duly licensed and insured. These employ professional and responsible plumbers who can handle any excavation project.

2. Experience and Tools

Check how long the company has been in the industry. More often than not, the number of years it has been providing the service indicates that the company is worthy of your trust. The excavation equipment that the firm uses is likewise crucial because this determines how effectively they can get the job done.

3. Skilled Team

Aside from checking the company history, you should also look into the profiles of their plumbers. Check if they have sufficient training and are duly certified. Background checking is crucial because you will be welcoming virtual strangers into your property.

4. Customer Reviews

These days, people often give honest reviews online about any service they have received. Based on what people say about the contractors you plan to hire, you can determine how well they work, how good their customer service is, and whether they are worth your time and money.

Key Takeaway

Excavation to fix damaged underground plumbing may seem like an ancient method for some. Still, it’s among the most effective, which is why excavation or digging remains an option for fixing plumbing problems.

This is especially true when the issue involves the sewer line, which is usually located underground. When this line breaks, the best way to access it for repair is by digging up your property. This is not always easy for many homeowners since the potential for damage is significant. Nevertheless, there are now less intrusive versions of the excavation method that still deliver the expected results.

Call Absolute Electrical Heating and Air for your plumbing problems that require digging or excavation.

Excavating sewage lines for repair or replacement is challenging. Call Absolute Electrical Heating and Air, and let us do it for you. We have a team of experienced Arvada, CO, plumbers equipped with the needed skills and knowledge — not to mention top-notch equipment — that can deliver quality sewer line repairs.

We have been in the business for over a decade now, so we can assure you that we will do the job right. We take pride in our customer service, which goes the extra mile. Call us today.