Damaged Sewer Pipe in Edgewater, FL? Trenchless Pipe Lining and When It Beats Digging

Is trenchless an option for your damaged pipe?

Trenchless repair works from the ends of a pipe, not along its whole length. That makes it attractive when the line runs under a driveway, a patio, a mature tree or a finished yard. It does not suit every pipe, and a good plumber will say so if yours is not a candidate.

Three conditions tend to decide it, and all three come from a camera inspection:

1. The pipe is still a pipe. Lining needs a path to pull a liner through. A pipe that has collapsed or has a major offset may need to be dug up.
2. Access exists. There must be a cleanout or an excavation point at each end that the crew can use.
3. The pipe size and bends work. Very sharp bends, many fittings and changes in diameter can limit what is possible.

Before any of this is decided, inspecting the line first is the step that shows what the pipe looks like. If it is only clogged, jetting before lining may be a necessary first step anyway.

Lining or pipe bursting: two trenchless methods

Both methods leave less to restore than a trench. Both also need a clean, inspected pipe to start. Ask the plumber which method fits your line and why, and ask what happens if the camera finds something unexpected partway through.

What a lining job involves from start to finish

Steps vary with the method and the pipe, but a typical lining job follows this order, and you should expect the plumber to explain each stage on your line.

1. Camera inspection. The pipe is recorded and the damaged section located and measured.
2. Cleaning and preparation. Debris, roots and buildup are cleared so the liner can seat properly.
3. Liner installation. The resin-soaked liner is pulled or inverted into place and pressed against the old pipe.
4. Curing. The liner hardens, using heat or light, depending on the system.
5. Reopening connections. Branch lines that were covered by the liner are cut open again.
6. Final camera inspection. The finished pipe is recorded so you can see the result.

Ask for the before and after footage, and ask how long the line will be out of service. Plan your water use around it, because a line that is being lined cannot take wastewater.

Whose responsibility is the lateral in Edgewater?

The City of Edgewater utility bills water, sewer, stormwater and garbage together, and its customer line is 386-424-2400, extension 4000. We could not find a published rule on where a homeowner's responsibility for a sewer lateral stops, and not every property may be on city sewer. A trenchless repair is a significant job, so confirm with the utility which section is yours before you agree to it.

Ask the city about permits at 386-424-2400. Its 2019 fee schedule lists an "all other plumbing permits" item, but we found nothing specific to sewer lining. The city can tell you whether your job needs a permit and who should apply.

Marking utilities and protecting what is underground

Even trenchless work may need access pits at each end, which means digging. Contact Sunshine 811 before any excavation so buried lines are marked. Sunshine 811 asks for at least two full business days' notice, excluding weekends and holidays, so ask the plumber to arrange it and tell you the date.

Ask about nearby trees and other buried items too. Roots that caused the original damage can come back around a liner if they are not dealt with, so ask what the plan is for them.

When lining is not the answer

Some lines are better replaced. A pipe that has collapsed, a long section that has sagged and holds water, or a line with damage in many places may not be good candidates for a liner. A plumber should explain this plainly and show the footage that supports the advice.

If you are also seeing leaks inside the house, remember that sewer problems and supply line problems are separate. Tracing a leak is a different job from relining a drain.