At Valley Plumbing, we pride ourselves on delivering high-quality, reliable plumbing services across Northern Utah, specializing in complex sewer line repairs. Recently, we completed a challenging sewer line repair project for a customer in Murray, Utah. This comprehensive job involved both a spot repair and the installation of an epoxy-coated sewer liner to fix a deteriorating clay sewer line. The project not only restored the functionality of the property's sewer system but also ensured long-term durability and peace of mind for the property owner. In this case study, we’ll detail the work completed, highlight the effectiveness of trenchless sewer repair technology, and share the customer's positive feedback on the work we performed.
The Problem: Deteriorating Sewer Line
Our Customer, the landlord of the property, had been experiencing issues with the sewer line on the west side of the property. The existing clay sewer pipe, located approximately 5.5 feet underground, had developed a "belly" that caused significant drainage issues. A "belly" in plumbing is a sag or dip in the pipe that leads to standing water and blockages, preventing the proper flow of waste to the city’s main sewer line. In addition, the pipe was old and susceptible to further damage or collapse.
The sewer line ran under a sidewalk slab and a fence, making traditional sewer replacement difficult and disruptive. To address the issue effectively, the team at Valley Plumbing recommended a trenchless sewer repair method using an epoxy-coated sewer liner, as well as the replacement of the damaged section of clay pipe with a new SDR35 pipe.
The Solution: Comprehensive Sewer Line Repair and Epoxy Liner Installation
The project involved both spot repair and trenchless sewer repair methods to minimize disruption while ensuring a lasting solution. Below is the breakdown of how Valley Plumbing approached and executed this complex job:
Step 1: Excavation and Pipe Removal
To begin, the Valley Plumbing team carefully excavated the area around the damaged sewer line. This required removing two sections of concrete sidewalk slabs and digging down to expose the damaged section of the clay sewer pipe. The team worked meticulously to expose 14 feet of the old clay pipe, ensuring that the excavation was done cleanly to avoid unnecessary damage to the surrounding landscape.
Step 2: Pipe Replacement
Once the damaged section of the pipe was exposed, the team removed the 14 feet of clay pipe where the belly had formed. The old pipe was snap-cut, and debris was cleared from the work area. Valley Plumbing then replaced the deteriorated section with high-quality SDR35 pipe, known for its durability and resistance to corrosion. The new pipe was bedded in ¾ gravel to provide additional stability and ensure proper drainage.
Step 3: Sewer Liner Installation
Next, the Valley Plumbing team used trenchless technology to shoot a 22-foot epoxy-coated sewer liner from the repair site back toward the house, followed by another 20-foot liner toward the city’s main sewer line. The epoxy coating inside the liner creates a smooth, seamless surface that effectively seals the pipe, preventing future leaks, root intrusion, or blockages. This trenchless method allowed us to restore the sewer line’s functionality without needing to dig up the entire length of the sewer pipe, significantly reducing the disruption to the customer's property.
Step 4: Installing Dual Sweep Cleanouts
To ensure future maintenance would be easy, we installed two new dual sweep cleanouts. These cleanouts allow for easy access to the sewer line in both directions—one cleanout facing toward the house and one facing toward the city main. This ensures that any potential clogs or blockages can be addressed quickly and efficiently.
Step 5: Backfill, Compaction, and Landscape Restoration
Once the sewer line repairs were completed and inspected by the city, our team backfilled the excavation site with care, compacted the soil to prevent future settling, and restored the landscaping to the best of our ability. While final landscaping was left to the customer, we ensured that the property was returned to a clean and tidy state.
The Results: A Seamless Sewer Line Repair with Long-Term Benefits
Our Customer was highly satisfied with the work performed by Valley Plumbing. He recognized that sewer line repair is a significant and potentially disruptive job, but trusted our team to deliver on our promises—and we did. The combination of spot repair and trenchless sewer lining resulted in a completely restored sewer line, providing long-lasting performance and reliability.
Valley Plumbing’s solution not only resolved the immediate issue of the damaged sewer line but also ensured that the customer's property was protected from future sewer-related problems. The use of an epoxy-coated sewer liner offers long-term benefits, including:
- Durability: With a 50-year manufacturer warranty on the sewer liner and a 10-year service warranty, our customer can rest assured that his sewer line will remain functional for decades to come.
- Cost Savings: Trenchless repair methods reduced the amount of excavation required, saving time and money on labor, materials, and landscaping restoration.
- Minimal Disruption: By using trenchless methods, Valley Plumbing minimized the impact on the surrounding landscape, keeping the property’s aesthetic intact while delivering top-notch sewer line repairs.
Customer Testimonial
Here’s what our customer had to say about his experience with Valley Plumbing:
"Valley/Towers Plumbing put in a main sewer drain for me. This is a big, expensive job. No project goes perfectly, so you have to trust the company you work with. I trusted these guys, and they worked hard to fulfill every promise verbally and in writing. I am completely happy with the work they did and would use them again."
"This company is old school, and they have been around for decades. They aren’t slick, but they are solid. A shout out to Jules for all his hard work and dedication to the job!"
Why Choose Valley Plumbing?
Valley Plumbing is proud to serve the residents of Utah with reliable, professional plumbing services. With decades of experience and a commitment to using the latest technology—such as trenchless sewer repair—our team is equipped to handle even the most challenging sewer line repairs. We understand the importance of trust, transparency, and quality workmanship, which is why homeowners like our customers turn to Valley Plumbing for their most critical plumbing needs.
If you're facing sewer line issues or need expert plumbing services in Utah, contact Valley Plumbing today. We're here to provide efficient, cost-effective solutions that will keep your home’s plumbing system running smoothly for years to come.
