Express Sewer & Drain Blog

A Pipe busting can be a homeowner’s worst nightmare. The damage caused can be detrimental to the welfare of the home, leading to extensive water damage.  A variety of things can cause the collapse of the pipe. Two of the leading causes are frozen water pipes and built-up pressure. As a homeowner what do you do when a pipe bursts in your home?

Possible Causes

Water freezing in the pipes is a result of extreme cold temperatures. The freezing causes the pipe to explode because water naturally expands when frozen. No matter the material the pipes are made of, they are at risk for breaking if in cold climates.  Iron, lead or PVC plastic are all mediums used to make piping. Regardless of which you use, even the strongest pipes will burst if repeatedly exposed to harsh climates. The expanding and retracting of the frozen water eventually wears out the pipe causing it to burst. An excess in pressure caused by a clog or malfunction in the pipe can also cause the water to build up, putting an intense amount of pressure on the pipe causing it to burst.

What should you do when you discover a pipe has burst?

Once a pipe has burst you will need to call a plumber to inspect the pipes and see what exactly caused the problem. Once that is determined there are a few routes you can take. Hearing you have a busted pipe is quite bad news as it can be ridiculously expensive to repair. There are several ways you can go about the repair and you must decide which is best for you.

Trenching: 

Trenching is an expensive way to repair a pipe that has burst. It is also sometimes thought of as an outdated method since new trenchless means of fixing pipes have been discovered. We will get to that later. The first step in trenching is locating the sewer line. You may have had your sewer cleaned out or your may have a survey that shows the location of the pipe. If not, there are other ways of figuring that part out.  Technicians have the capability to run a video camera down the line and stop at a variety of points. The camera is equipped with a radio transmitter that sends signals on its location. The technician will have a locating device that he can sweep over the suspected areas that picks up the signal from underground. This is done until the strongest signal is found. This information is key. The technician will then mark this spot usually with paint on the ground. It must be done as accurately as possible to avoid hitting the pipe while digging.  Prior to this you will want to contact your utilities provider to come and mark the lines and cables that you want to avoid damaging.  Also keep in mind sprinkler lines and landscaping lights and fixtures. 

After sorting through possible obstacles like grass or mulch the digging process will begin. The technician will then dig straight down, trying to avoid the pipe itself, but also trying not to cause an abundance of damage to your lawn. While trenching you must dig the entire length of the pipe. This is why trenching is not super popular and certainly not preferred by homeowners. The amount of work is much greater therefore it takes more time to complete. Additionally it is more expensive because you have to replace your entire landscaping as the trenching completely ruins its appearance. You must dig quite deeply, remembering that you must dig all around the entire cylinder. Your pipe may surface as low as 18”-30”.  Next you must find the source of the problem by inspecting the entire pipe and replacing it.

Trenchless Pipe Repair:

 There are few types of trenchless methods that have proven to be more efficient. Trenchless pipe replacement is also much less traumatic to your lawn and soil than trenching.

Cured in place piping (CIPP) is a popular form of trenchless pipe repair, as is pipe bursting. Each allows you to complete the job without ruining the surrounding area. It is therefore a cheaper solution. Trenchless methods only take a few hours as opposed to a day or two to fully finish the job. CIPP replacement methods replace the pipe from the inside by placing a new lining within the pipe. Amazingly the lining can last effectively for up to fifty years! It protects against and corrects cracks, root intrusion, and chemical infiltration issues that are causing issues with your sewer system. The liner is inserted by a machine through one end of the pipe. The machine carries it through to the other end. With this you will not have to rip up all of your grass and landscaping.

Pipe bursting similarly prevents you from ripping up your yard. In this method an expander head is sent through the pipe. The expander breaks apart the old pipe and a new pipe is attached to the device. Simultaneously the old pipe is removed and the new pipe is laid. Again you will save money through this method by not having to repair your lawn. This can be a lifesaver for homeowners.  This is a miraculous process that is highly recommended for burst, busted, collapsed pipes. Trenchless methods of repairing or replacing pipes require minimum amounts of intrusions on your property.

Replacing and repairing pipes can be quite a chore. Though digging trenches are an older form of repair, trenchless methods are regarded much higher as they save you money and the trouble of repairing your yard after the pipe is fixed. A malfunctioning pipe is no joke and should be attended to right away. 

Contact your trenchless experts today to learn more about the methods enacting by our professionals. We will educate you on which methods of repair are best for you! Our solutions are quick and simple and will leave you satisfied with the repair!