Posts Tagged ‘Water Line Replacement’

Stages of Water Line Replacement Using Trenchless Technology

Monday, November 28th, 2011

Replacing your Pomona home’s water line with trenchless technology is an impressive process. It is more technically advanced than the old method by leaps and bounds (in the past, the answer to a broken water line was a backhoe and a new pipe), and it can be cost effective in many instances, especially if the problem is only with a small length of pipe. Let’s take a quick look at the stages of pipe replacement should your water line need to be swapped out.

  1. Accessing the Water Line – The first step is to find the affected length of pipe. If it’s unclear where the problem is located in the pipe line, a hole may be dug (or an existing manhole used) to run a video inspection through the line and find the problem. In the case of a leak, this usually isn’t necessary.
  2. Inspecting and Clearing the Line – Once the leak is located, it’s time to clear out any existing water and/or debris or roots in the way of the new line.
  3. Setting Up the Equipment – There are several ways to go about replacing a pipe, but in all cases, a pair of access ports are dug on either side of the affected pipe line. On one end, the new pipe is fed in and on the other side a winch is used to pull the pipe through.
  4. Installing the New Pipe – Burstlining is a common method used to replace an old pipe. A burst cone attached to the front of the new pipe is pulled through the old pipe, breaking it apart as it’s fed through.
  5. Finishing the Process – Once the pipe line has been replaced it is connected to the water system and the pits are filled in. When done, there may be only a small reminder of the work that was done on your property.

At the end of the day, everything is cleaner, more environmentally friendly and in many cases, more cost effective. It’s a wonder anyone still uses the messy old method of digging up the entire yard just to rip out the pipe. But, they do, so if you find yourself with a burst water line, make sure to contact a plumber with the tools and experience needed to replace your pipe the right way.

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Components of Trenchless Water Line Replacement: Some Pointers from San Dimas

Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011

Trenchless technology is a relatively option for pipe repair and replacement, allowing your San Dimas plumber to replace main water lines or sewer lines under your property without digging a massive trench in the ground. Cost effective and environmentally friendly, this process is designed to minimize the impact on homeowners who are worried about losing their favorite trees or disrupting their neighbors.

But, what exactly is involved in trenchless water line replacement? Here is a quick look at the process and the components involved in each step of it:

  1. Puller Unit – The puller unit is responsible for pulling the new pipe through the space between the two access points. A cable is attached to the new pipe to pull it through. The size and type of puller unit used will depend on the type of pipe being replaced.
  2. Bursting Cone- A bursting cone is often attached to the head of the new pipe to break apart the old pipe as the new one is fed into the hole. This makes it possible to feed new pipe without having to remove the old pipe.
  3. New Pipe – There are a couple of options here including a brand new line of pipe replacing the old one or a liner being fed into the old one to patch cracks and leaks. The repair method used will depend on the severity of the problem, length of the affected pipe and recommendations from your plumber.
  4. Access Points – Two access points will be dug on either side of the affected pipe line. One pit houses the hydraulic pulling unit, the size of which will vary depending on the equipment used by your plumber and the power needed to pull your new pipe. The second pit is used to feed in new pipe, which means it needs to be slightly larger.

How the trenchless replacement process works depends largely on the pipe being replaced and which repair method you select. If you have a sewer line that has cracked along a five foot length, trenchless pipe replacement may be the best option. However, a smaller problem in your water line like a small crack may be fixed without a full replacement or relining. The best way to know for sure is to call a professional and have them inspect your pipe line. Video technology makes this easier as well.

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