Installing new sewer lines is not something Utah plumbing contractors do every day. But it is common enough to be a service we offer here at Beehive Plumbing. It’s also not something a typical homeowner can do himself. Installing a new sewer line requires a lot of knowledge, quite a bit of technical skill, and a ton of expensive equipment.
If you think you need a new line, give us a shout. We serve most of north and central Utah, including Utah, Davis, and Salt Lake counties. We work on projects from Draper to Murray and West Jordan to Orem.
Here’s what you can expect from a new sewer line installation:
A Full Site Inspection
Before a competent plumbing contractor will even think about digging, a complete site inspection will be conducted. The point of the inspection is twofold:
- To find and identify problems with the existing line; and
- Determine if full replacement is really necessary.
A site inspection also helps installers determine the best route should a new line actually be necessary. The site inspection is all about preparation so that everyone is on the same page before work begins.
Excavation Work
Replacing a sewer line requires excavation, and excavation generally requires a local permit. The contractor will obtain the permit on your behalf. Along with the permit comes a requirement to follow all local plumbing codes. The final work will have to be inspected before your installer can button everything up.
Excavation involves digging a trench along the path of the new line. Utah codes require that this trench accommodate a proper pipe slope that will facilitate uninhibited gravity flow. This almost always means a slight downhill grading as the sewer line makes its way to the municipal main or septic system.
Layout and Installation
Once the trench is completed, the installer begins with the pipe layout. Modern sewer lines are made of durable PVC or cast iron. They are laid out in the trench with no adhesive and then checked for alignment and grading. As long as everything is in order, actual assembly begins.
The installer will start at one end – usually the connection to the house – and begin assembling each pipe with either primer and cement or a gasketed joint. The goal is to create watertight connections between each pipe in order to prevent leakage and root intrusion.
This is often the longest step in the process. Installers need to work carefully and slowly to make sure they get it right. Any leaks or future problems with roots could mean major issues an installer doesn’t want to deal with later on.
Municipal Inspection
The new sewer line will need to undergo municipal inspection before the trench is backfilled. The installer is likely to run his own inspections and tests prior to the city or county coming out. He will run pressure and leak tests and, if necessary, a visual inspection using video cameras.
A successful municipal inspection will result in official approval to seal things up. If the installation fails, corrective actions will be outlined by the inspector. Hopefully the installer doesn’t have to rip it all out and start over.
Backfilling and Compaction
Finally, the trench is backfilled and the soil is compacted. Compaction is a necessary step to ensure the new line does not move. If all goes well, you will be ready to plant grass right away.
Needless to say that installing a new sewer line isn’t a DIY project. It is not even something that every plumbing contractor can do. But it is something we do here at Beehive Plumbing.