There’s a critical system beneath your home that shouldn’t be overlooked: your private sewer lateral. At Pipe Spy, a leader in trenchless sewer line repair and replacement in the East Bay Area since 1998, we understand the importance of proactive sewer maintenance. Here’s why now is the opportune time to schedule your sewer inspection. Stay Ahead of Sewer Problems Often, … Read More
What are trenchless sewer pipe repair methods?
Sewer repair projects can be a huge headache for homeowners. They can be disruptive, expensive, and time-consuming – but these can all be avoided using the right trenchless sewer repair method. In this post, we’ll discuss trenchless sewer repair, the different trenchless repair methods and technologies, and which method to choose for your sewer repair. What Is Trenchless Sewer Repair? … Read More
What happens when you receive a Deficiency Notice?
If you receive a deficiency notice for your private sewer lateral from the City of Oakland or other East Bay municipality, it means the city has identified a problem with the pipe that carries wastewater from your house to the main sewer line, i.e, your private sewer lateral. As a homeowner, you are responsible for addressing this issue. Here’s what … Read More
How To Unclog A Sewer Lateral
A clog in your sewer line can be frustrating, especially if you don’t know what’s causing it or what to do next. Here’s how to address both minor and major clogs – and how to tell the difference between the two. A Clogged Sewer Lateral Is a Big Problem When clogged, private sewer laterals (PSLs) can damage other parts of … Read More
Why You Should Avoid a DIY Sewer Line Repair
As a homeowner, it’s important to have basic knowledge about repairing and maintaining common issues that arise over the lifetime of a house. Many homeowners become extremely adept at managing household projects and repairs. But there is one DIY project that is definitely not basic and best left to the plumbing professionals: sewer line repair. Sewer repairs can become very … Read More
What Are Requirements for Private Sewer Laterals in Oakland and the East Bay?
In the East Bay region of California, all residential, commercial, and industrial properties are subject to the East Bay Municipal Utility District Private Sewer Lateral Program (EBMUD PSL) Program. The EBMUD ordinance is a local program designed to improve the quality of San Francisco Bay Area water resources. Old, cracked sewer pipes can allow rain to infiltrate municipal wastewater facilities: … Read More
Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover Sewer Line Repair?
When we find ourselves dealing with the challenges of an unforeseen home repair, the first question we have is, “How much is this going to cost?” That question is usually followed by another: “Will my homeowner’s insurance cover any of this?” Below we offer some of the knowledge we have gained in our decades of experience providing professional sewer repair. … Read More
Why do I need to apply for a sewer lateral permit?
Obtaining a sewer lateral permit is required before installing a sewer lateral in Oakland, California. Sewer permits issued by the city are designed to ensure that installation and upgrade work complies with local health and safety ordinances as well as to ensure the public sewer system is protected from any possible damage or contamination. Many cities in the San Francisco … Read More
Sinkholes: When Sewer Repair Goes Wrong
Some homeowners find themselves dealing with an unexpected and worsening problem on their property: sinkholes. Sinkholes are usually an artificial problem typically caused damaged sewage pipes and drainpipes, broken septic tanks, buried trash, or soil that was not properly compacted after excavation work. Sinkholes can appear where underground sewer pipes have been damaged. This is especially noticeable when the soil … Read More
Do Low-Flow Toilets Cause Sewer System Problems?
Low-flow toilets have become popular in recent years. As the name suggests, low-flow toilets use less water, which is an important consideration in the drought-prone San Francisco Bay Area. However, there are possible downsides to low-flow toilet fixtures and the effect they can have on your sewer and plumbing system: things to keep in mind if you’re thinking about purchasing … Read More