
Steps for repairing a sewer pipe
- Insert a video inspection tool into the sewer pipe and look for evidence of tree roots growing inside the pipe.
- Attach a cutter head onto the end of an electric drain snake. ...
- Mix two-part epoxy in a clean bucket using an electric drill and mixing paddle.
- Use a traffic cone as a funnel to pour the epoxy into the polyester pipe liner.
How to replace sewer line under concrete slab without digging?
Some of the potential OSHA requirements for permit-required confined spaces include:
- An employer must develop and implement an extensive written program for space
- Testing, monitoring, ventilating, communications, and lighting equipment
- Barriers and shields
- Retrieval devices
- Proper worker training
- Provide an entry supervisor
- An employer must provide and train rescue service personnel
- Entrants must wear harnesses with retrieval lines
How to fix a broken sewer line under your house?
The Ways to Prevent a Broken Sewer Line
- Evaluate the Trees and Plants Growing near Your Home’s Sewer Line. We’ve already discussed how tree roots could wind up damaging the sewer line under your yard. ...
- Exercise More Caution When Using Drains inside Your Home. Being more careful can do wonders for your sewer line. ...
- Perform Routine Maintenance. ...
What are the signs of a broken sewer pipe?
What Are the Signs of a Broken Sewer Pipe?
- Strong sewer odor: This is the first sign that something might be wrong. ...
- Toilet that gurgles: This one is a little trickier to spot. ...
- Drains that take a long time to clear: Sewage seeping into your plumbing can cause debris to enter and clog up the drains. ...
How to fix a broken pipe under the House?
- The sound of running water when taps are not being used
- Warm spots on the floor
- Patches of wet grass around exterior walls
- Wet or damp carpet
- Low water pressure
- Moisture on internal flooring
- Mildew or mould under carpets, rugs or at the base of drapes
- A musty odour
- Unexplained increases in your water bill
- Rising damp

How do you replace a cast iron sewer line under a slab?
1:153:10Cast Iron Plumbing Replacement Under A Slab Fouundation - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe old cast-iron pipe was breaking down and then take you on down you can follow the cast-iron.MoreThe old cast-iron pipe was breaking down and then take you on down you can follow the cast-iron. Piping. Along the wall and then you can follow the PVC.
How do you replace a sewer line under a basement floor?
1:3118:41Fixing Sewer Pipe Under Concrete / Basement Floor D.I.Y. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd yeah when you run it you have to buy your own diamond blade to cut the concrete. So I alreadyMoreAnd yeah when you run it you have to buy your own diamond blade to cut the concrete. So I already got the diamond but it's a good thing I talked about the saw. So I could cut the concrete.
How do you find a leak in a drain pipe under a slab?
1:593:41How To Find A Broken Sewer Pipe Under A Slab - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what we want to do is wherever the water level is we want to go ahead and mark it with a piece ofMoreSo what we want to do is wherever the water level is we want to go ahead and mark it with a piece of tape. And Mark the elevation. And then just keep an eye on every hour even up to six hours monitor.
How do you install a sewer line under a concrete slab?
1:051:58How to Install Plumbing in a Slab - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAgain you can see we've got the insulation on the water lines as it passes through the concrete. AndMoreAgain you can see we've got the insulation on the water lines as it passes through the concrete. And the right of the frame here and then the sewage lines are wrapped in a felt and taped.
How do you replace plumbing under concrete?
0:3616:17sewer line under concrete slab repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo i'm going to cut this area out and repair my probably it's a three or four inch old galvanized orMoreSo i'm going to cut this area out and repair my probably it's a three or four inch old galvanized or steel drain pipe in order to cut through the concrete.
How do you fix PVC pipe in concrete?
0:025:32How to Repair pipe in concrete slab - fixing broken, repairing ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou want to put your tip. In here and then rotate it until it it aligns with the head so just likeMoreYou want to put your tip. In here and then rotate it until it it aligns with the head so just like that until you feel it. There he goes and push.
How much does it cost to fix a leak under the slab?
According to HomeAdvisor, the national average of a slab leak repair job is about $2,280. Meanwhile, the average cost of a simple pipe repair is about $630. On the high end, however, repairs may be up to $10,000 or more if total repiping and damage remediation, such as mold or asbestos abatement, are required.
How do I find a broken pipe under concrete?
0:051:48How Professional Plumbers Find Slab Leaks - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe can use this equipment here to listen to the leak and hear where it's actually broken. ThisMoreWe can use this equipment here to listen to the leak and hear where it's actually broken. This allows us to hear not only volume of the leak. But different frequencies and different pitch.
How deep are plumbing pipes under a slab house?
You will find your sewer lines 12 to 24 inches below the concrete slab in a slab house. All homes require a foundation to help support the weight of the house. A slab house uses a concrete slab as its foundation.
How do you fix a sagging sewer line?
The traditional method for replacing a sagging sewer line is known as the dig and replace method. As the name implies, a contractor will dig down into your property until the sagging section of pipe is exposed, then repair the pipe and backfill the trench.
How do you fix a crack in a sewer line?
Pipe lining—If the damage to your sewage pipe is minimal, pipe lining can be used to insert an inflatable tube covered in epoxy into your sewer line. From there, the tube is inflated, pressing against the existing line. While it's up against the existing sewage line, the epoxy cures and hardens, repairing the leak.
Can PVC pipe be encased in concrete?
Some PVC pipe products are specifically intended for encasement in concrete such as EB20 and EB35 electrical utility duct (“EB” stands for “Encased Burial” per NEMA standard TC6&8).
How deep are sewer lines in basement?
They can be as shallow as 12″ to 30,” or as deep as 6+ ft. Often times this is simply a matter of climate. In really cold climates, the pipe is buried deeper to prevent the pipe from freezing solid in winter. Every now and then you will run into a sewer line that is buried deep even in a warm climate.
Is basement floor drain connected to sanitary sewer?
What most people don't know is that their home basement floor drains are usually directly tied to the sewer system of the whole house. In some houses, they even run directly into a sump pit from which the water is lifted to the exterior surface with a pump.
How do you fix a crack in a sewer line?
Pipe lining—If the damage to your sewage pipe is minimal, pipe lining can be used to insert an inflatable tube covered in epoxy into your sewer line. From there, the tube is inflated, pressing against the existing line. While it's up against the existing sewage line, the epoxy cures and hardens, repairing the leak.
What are the pipes sticking out of my basement floor?
Foundation drains are pipes that are installed under your foundation or basement floor to collect water and move it off-site to prevent your basement from filling with water.
How deep is a slab house?
Houses that are built on slabs have a concrete beam around the edge that is usually about 600mm deep. The rest of the slab sits above a 100mm to 150mm bed of gravel then a layer of plastic to keep out moisture and possibly termite barriers.
Is a collapsed drain pipe the end of the world?
Collapsed drain pipes under a concrete slab aren’t the end of the world. As distressing as this news might initially be, however, it’s no longer the end of the world, thanks to advances in composite resin technology which occurred as we waved goodbye to the 20th century. Today, composite resin compounds are used to make a whole range ...
How much does it cost to dig up a 3 bedroom house?
The reason is simple. The plumbers get to keep the all the money. Digging up a 3 bedroom 2 bathroom house typically costs $25,000, whereas pipe relining will cost about half that much. plumbers do not want to give up the $25,000 in revenues.
What are the disadvantages of digging under a house?
Another disadvantage of digging under a building is that a collapse could occur and people could die on your property. That has legal liability issues, apart from moral issues of having someone buried underneath your home.
How to repair a copper pipe?
Should you decide to repair the copper pipe, rather than replace, it’s a fairly easy procedure. A hacksaw or tubing cutter can be used to cut out the damaged portion. The next step is to simply replace it with new tubing and copper couplings before soldering it into place to repair the flow.
How do I know if my slab is leaking?
Pipes. Luckily, there are several signs that indicate a leaking pipe under your slab: The first indicator is the presence of water or damp spots on your floor. Leaking hot-water lines can also create warm spots on your floor.
What to do when a leak is identified?
Once the leak is identified, a plumber can evaluate the situation and the location of the leak. At this point, a plan is configured and put into place. In some cases, it’s better to re-plumb the affected section, while other times new new piping throughout the the entire house will be necessary.
What are the signs of a sewer line leak?
They are more difficult to detect and often go unnoticed until there are visible signs which include damage to your foundation or domed (raised) sections of flooring.
Why does my water bill increase?
Finally, a significant increase in your water bill could be a sign of a leaking pipe. Since a broken line runs continuously, your water bill will rise. If you notice an increase that you can’t explain, either your water company is taking advantage of you, or you have a leak!
Is it hard to repair a leaky pipe?
Many people assume that repairing a leaky pipe beneath a slab is a difficult task. However, it’s not as hard as you might think. Locating and gaining access to the pipe can be tough, but once you know the general area of the leak and can cut your way through the slab, repairing the pipe is simple.
Can copper pipes be replaced?
Before beginning the repairs on a section of pipe beneath a concrete slab, consideration should be given to re-piping, rather than using a temporary fix. Should you decide to repair the copper pipe, rather than replace, it’s a fairly easy procedure.
What happens when water is leaking from a pipe under a concrete slab?
Additionally, if warm water is leaking from a pipe under your slab, it can create hot spots or small pools of water on the concrete floor. Sounds of leaking or running water: When a faucet is on, you can hear the water running through the pipes in your home.
How to tell if a concrete slab is leaking?
Warm or wet spots on the concrete floor: Because slabs are porous, you may be able to tell there’s a sewer line break just by looking at the floor. If there is a large water or damp spot, it’s more than likely a slab leak. Additionally, if warm water is leaking from a pipe under your slab, it can create hot spots or small pools ...
What causes a slab leak?
When there is a break in a pipe that runs under the concrete foundation of your home, a slab leak is in full effect. From the break or crack in the water or sewer pipe line, water or waste seeps into the ground and your foundation. Because of the extensive damage broken drain pipes under basement, garage and other slab floors can cause, ...
What is a slab floor?
If you have a basement or garage, these two spaces are more than likely built on slab floors. A slab is essentially concrete poured over leveled ground. Sewer systems and drain pipes may run beneath the slab.
Can a water leak be under a slab?
A high water bill does not necessarily mean there’s a slab leak, though. If the plumbing inside your home seems sound, then you could have an unseen slab leak beneath your home’s foundation. If you suspect you have a broken drain pipe under your basement, garage or other slab flooring, it’s crucial to contact a licensed team ...
Can you run water pipes in a concrete floor?
During the initial building of a home that has a concrete slab foundation and basement level, any plumbing that runs under the home must be put in before the concrete is poured, since the plumbing runs in the dirt, not within the actual concrete.
Can you run a gas line under a concrete slab?
It can be any material you desire. As long as it is at least 12″ above the ground you can run it almost any way you want to.
How is plumbing run in a slab home?
During the plumbing slab construction, the pipes are buried in gravel or sand beneath the slab and are (obviously) difficult to access. The plumbing through slab isn’t easy to reconfigure once placed. Modern homes are more likely to have a moisture barrier that protects a concrete slab.
Can I bury PVC pipe in concrete?
You can, but it would be wise to bury the pipe in sand or pea-gravel under the slab to be poured. Not a great idea to embed the PVC pipe directly in the concrete, because of the old (and well established reliable) saw “ concrete cracks”.
Is it OK to bury copper pipe in concrete?
Concrete in direct contact with copper would corrode it. 15mm copper pipes will need to move as they expand / contract with the heat produced. Think about using plastic push fit pipes instead Run them in a plastic waste pipe.
Do gas pipes run underground?
The materials for running a gas line underground are so readily available now and you as a home owner are allowed to do gas piping for your own home. And this is true in almost all counties in the USA. Not sure about countries other than the USA. Just call your local building department if you have one and verify.
Can you build a structure over a gas line?
Please be advised that building a structure over – or too close to – a natural gas pipeline is a safety hazard and an unacceptable building practice that may be in violation of federal pipeline safety regulations.
