The vast majority of residential properties features a sewer pipe which transports waste from the plumbing system into the public sewer system. While these pipes are normally designed to be robust, they can occasionally fail. When a pipe failure occurs, it can create a plumbing emergency as waste can back up into your home or leak into the surrounding land. If you suspect that a sewer pipe on your property has burst, it is important that you call an emergency plumber. Below is a guide to the steps an emergency plumber may take to repair the damage.

CCTV inspection

The first job the emergency plumber will need to do is to locate the exact site of the damage. If the sewer pipe is located deep below the ground or is very long, this may not be easy to do. An emergency plumber will use a special CCTV camera to inspect the pipe. This waterproof camera is fitted with a light and a long flexible cable which means it can be fed into a pipe. Live pictures will be fed back to a small monitor allowing the plumber to locate the exact point they need to access.

Trench digging

Next, the plumber will dig a trench into the ground next to the pipe until they reach the same depth as the damaged pipe. If the pipe is at a shallow depth, the plumber may do complete this part of the job using a spade. However, if the pipe is deep in the ground, they may call in a small excavator. If the plumber opts to use an excavator, they will typically complete the final part of the dig using their hands to prevent causing any accidental damage to the pipe with the machinery.

Pipe repair or replacement

The emergency plumber will then carry out a visual inspection of the sewer pipe. They will then be able to decide if the pipe can be repaired or if it will need to be replaced with a new section. If the pipe can be repaired, the plumber will apply an epoxy resin to the pipe to fill the gap. This epoxy resin will then have heat applied to it so that it hardens and seals the pipe. 

If you would like further information and advice about emergency pipe repair, you should contact an emergency plumbing service today. A contractor will be happy to answer any questions you may have. You can also read more here, or on similar sites.

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