Commercial buildings and restaurant owners are responsible for maintaining the pipes connecting their premises to the city sewer main, generally to the curb or sidewalk. Drain and sewer pipes left in disrepair could cause flooding and groundwater contamination, representing a serious environmental hazard. As full service commercial plumbers, CityWide can repair or replace water and sewer pipes to correct a number of problems.
- Broken, cracked, offset or collapsed pipes — damaged pipes due to shifting soil, frozen ground, settling, etc.
- Blockage — grease buildup or a foreign object is restricting or prohibiting proper flow and/or cleaning of the line.
- Corrosion — the pipe has deteriorated and/or broken, causing sections of the pipe to collapse and restrict flow.
- Leaking joints — the seals between pipes have broken, allowing water to escape into the area surrounding the pipe.
- Bellied pipe — a section of the pipe has sunk due to ground or soil conditions, creating a valley that collects paper and waste.
- Leaking joints — the seals between pipes have broken, allowing water to escape into the area surrounding the pipe.
- Root infiltration — tree or shrub roots have invaded the sewer line, preventing normal cleaning and/or roots have damaged the pipe.
- Off-grade pipe — existing pipes are constructed of substandard or outdated material that may have deteriorated or corroded.
Traditional Repair Method
Sewer line repairs are typically performed using the “open cut” or “trench” method to gain access to the area surrounding the damaged portion of the pipe. A backhoe may be used to open and refill the work area.
Trenchless Repair Methods
Trenchless Repair methods cause less damage than traditional repair techniques. But sewer line replacement doesn’t have to mean ruined parking lots, sidewalks and open trenches that put your business in a holding pattern and prevent or inhibit customer access to your facility. Trenchless technology is the latest step in quality sewer repair and replacement with almost no impact to the surrounding environmental landscape — and it’s cost-effective.
Pipe Bursting
We make small access holes where the damaged underground pipe starts and ends. Using your broken sewer pipe as a guide, our pipe bursting machine pulls full-sized replacement pipe through the old path and breaks up the damaged pipe at the same time. The new pipe is highly resistant to leaks and root intrusion with an extra long life expectancy. It’s a faster process than open cut methods and can replace cast iron, clay, terra cotta, PVC and concrete pipes. The process even allows for upsizing lines and there is less risk of damage to utilities in close proximity to damaged pipes.
Pipe bursting techniques can be used in the following applications:
- Sewer laterals
- Water mains
- Irrigation lines
- Manhole to manhole
- Under slabs and floors
- Under roadways, driveways and parking lots
- Historical sites and locations where preservation is required
Pipe Relining
Relining creates a “pipe within a pipe” to restore 100% function and flow. Epoxy relining materials mold to the inside of the existing pipe to create a smooth and tough new inner wall.
Many times, pipe relining can be performed through a building’s sewer clean-out access and the process usually requires very little digging in most cases none. Pipe relining may be used to repair root-intrusion, bad joints and rusted piping. It seals all cracks and holes and seals any joints or connections underground which saves you thousands in restorations repairs of concrete, landscape or blacktop. It’s used for sewer and drain lines, roof drain pipes and storm lines.
The relined pipe is seamless and durable.
A felt-lined flexible tube (the liner) is filled with an epoxy and resin mix then inserted into one end of the damaged pipe. Then a “bladder” is inserted and inflated to press the new lining against the sides of the existing pipe. The bladder is left in place for four to six hours until the lining has cured and adhered to the old pipe. The finished pipe is seamless and durable. A video camera inspection will be performed to ensure that the pipe is draining properly and is free of obstructions. All materials used in the relining process are non-hazardous.
