Sewer lining is a method that is commonly discussed as a solution when experiencing problems with a sewer line. The process of inserting a plastic tube inside of a sewer line tends to be less costly and quicker than excavating for a sewer line replacement. For these reasons most homeowners are interested in the process, yet unaware of the problems to follow when installing a sewer liner.
The most important factor to understand is that the process of lining a sewer is completely illegal as per the NYC DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) and DOB (Department of Buildings). There are many unlicensed plumbers who will take the risk of performing the installation, and nowhere to be found when you experience another problem in the near future. It is important to contact 311 if you have been a victim of illegal sewer lining.
The primary reasons as to why the process has been deemed as illegal in NYC is that the plastic tube will not cure problems such as a back-pitched pipe, root infestation and separated or crushed pipes. It is important to understand that these are also the most common problems that lead to a backup of your sewer line.
|
|
A sewer liner does not consider any other drain connections you may have connected to your sewer line. The plastic tube will cut-off any leader lines, driveway drains, storm sewer connections etc. Many of these connections are unknown to the homeowner as they are made underground and will first become apparent when the plastic tube is inserted in the pipe. It is often that a homeowner will spend thousands of dollars to find out that the liner has created a larger problem than they had been experiencing.
Sewer liners will also decrease the diameter of the existing sewer line. Over time a sewer pipe will collect debris that starts to decrease the size of a sewer pipe; it may make a 6” pipe into a 5” pipe. The liner does not remove this debris and would make the diameter even smaller, resulting in greater odds of a sewer clog.
Recently in Brooklyn
Harris Water was hired to install a new sewer line one month after the homeowner had spent $9,000 on a sewer liner. Upon excavating the property, it had become apparent that the sewer liner had not extended 7’ from the foundation wall of the house. The existing clay pipe was separated causing the sewer liner to get stuck. The installer continued to push the plastic tubing into the pipe causing a complete blockage of the sewer line. The sewage had been seeping into the surrounding soil on the property, until it reached the point of over-saturation which led to the backup in the house.
Harris digs on property |
Harris installs new pipe |
