Why Is Open Trench Excavation Sometimes Necessary for Sewer Line Repair?

open trench sewer repair oakland and east bay

Open trench excavation is the traditional and previously most common method for sewer lateral repair or replacement. Open trench excavation involves  excavating a trench for the manual installation of each piece of pipe. This type of sewer work is applicable to collapsed pipes, severely broken pipes, and heavy root blockages. The open trench method is, on average, more costly than trenchless … Read More

Trenchless Sewer Repair vs. Traditional Sewer Repair

sinkhole repair

Out of sight is out of mind, and sewage systems are often taken for granted. Until something goes wrong, many people do not realize how critical the humble sewer system can be. As a result, home and business owners are often faced with an unpleasant situation. One thing is for sure: Property owners cannot avoid sewer repairs and maintenance. Damaged … Read More

Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover Sewer Line Repair?

Homeowners-Insurance-Policy plumbing

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

What Is Sewer System Smoke Testing?

sewer-smoke-testing

Property owners in Oakland and Berkeley may experience “random city smoke testing.” Local ordinances require sewer lines to be tested for code compliance. What Is Sewer System Smoke Testing? Underground smoke testing is used to detect deficiencies in sewer pipes and the sewage system. Smoke tests can be especially important after episodes of heavy rainfall. Smoke testing is a low-cost … Read More

Sinkholes: When Sewer Repair Goes Wrong

Sinkhole-Moraga

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

How to Identify and Repair a Sewer Line Belly

sewer-line-belly

Sewer line bellies are a common problem with sewer pipes and can be a real headache for homeowners. A belly or sag in a sewer pipe will eventually lead to standing water and sediment collecting inside the sewer line, which over time results in erosion, blockage, and ultimately a major sewer line backup. What Is a Belly in a Sewer … Read More

How to Identify the Symptoms of a Sewer Line Break

identify broken sewer line

The sewer line is a part of your house. Just like your roof, your doors and your windows – it serves a particular function and purpose. If left unchecked, breaks and fractures can cause a lot of distress and property damage. Learning how to identify the symptoms of a sewer line break can prevent these issues. Common Symptoms and Solutions … Read More

10 Questions To Ask A New Sewer Contractor

Pipe Spy plumbers

Selecting an experienced plumber can be a challenging task. Making the right choice for your project can consist of a lot of factors and you’ll want to know how to screen for the best service you can find. Dealing with underground plumbing issues often requires a fast response. You want a company that is reliable and can communicate effectively so … Read More

Safety First: Why Pipe Spy’s Confined Space Certification is So Important

Sewer line repair or replacement is physically demanding work and not visible to us above ground. Though we have tools that help us gather information about where the sewer line is located, its depth, surface areas that need to be restored, and other utilities in proximity, the total story is not revealed until we dig the ground up where necessary to complete the project. … Read More

Utility Easements: Getting Your Neighbors’ Blessing

Sometimes neighbors share utility spaces underneath their properties, and it’s not always a welcomed realization. By law, an easement is a right to cross or otherwise use someone else’s land for a specified purpose; and lots can get lost in the translation of this law when it comes to property lines, neighbors, and the cost to resolve issues related to it. To … Read More