Plumbing excavations are used to resolve pipe problems that are underground and cannot be resolved through other methods. The excavation job is often used as a last resort as digging up the landscape is often not preferred. But when certain problems are only solved through accessing the pipe directly a plumber will need to perform plumbing excavation. Here at Optimised Plumbing Services, our Emergency Plumber team will perform any needed excavation services throughout Sydney.
The main reasons why plumbing excavations will be needed are:
- When the pipe has corroded and needs replacing
- When the soil only allows for excavations
- If blockages are only able to be removed through directly accessing the pipe
- If tree roots have entered the pipes and can only be removed manually
When do I need Plumbing Excavations?
Most times the need for plumbing excavations is when the pipe needs to be repaired and replaced. Excavating around the pipe allows a plumber to directly access the system to perform the repair or replacement. Other methods are usually preferred over excavation to limit the damage dealt on the property. At times the only or best method to perform the replacement or repair is to excavate the ground, being:
Pipe Material
There are many different materials used in creating a pipe, ranging from concrete, metal, plastic to clay. Pipes when they age will begin to corrode depending on the type of material. The pipe or the joints corroding will lead to parts weakening and the chance of them breaking. If the pipe is corroded to the point that parts are breaking, holes are forming and other issues occur, excavating and replacing the pipe may be the only option.
Soil Condition
The soil that is around the piping system can at times cause issues to develop. The soil might cause the pipe lines to break, collapse or crack and the chance that the soil moves and causes the pipes to not be in the correct place can occur. Soil freezing can also cause issues to the pipes and often break them. When the soil causes issues to the pipes excavations will be needed to access the pipes, repair or replace them and try to ensure the soil does not cause problems in the future.
Blocked Drains
When underground pipes experience a Blocked Drain there are many ways to combat them without the need for excavations. Such as hydro-jetting techniques or using plumber’s snakes, blockages inside pipes can be handled without accessing them directly. There are at times clogs that are extremely deep, heavy or tough to handle without the need for excavations. Accessing the pipe might be the only way to deal with the blockage but is often the last resort for dealing with blocked drains.
Tree Roots
Tree roots entering pipes is a serious problem that can cause pipes to be blocked, move and break. There are methods to remove tree roots from pipes, including root killer, but the roots might be within the pipes too much that manually removing them is needed. Excavations might also need to occur if the damage the roots caused to the pipes was so impactful replacing the pipes is needed.
What Signs Indicate that Plumbing Excavations are Needed?
Drain and pipe problems will often be known through specific signs and issues occurring. Excavation will occur when a professional plumber looks over the problems and determines if it is the best method to resolve the issues. The main signs of drainage problems that might need excavation to occur are:
Clogged Drains
When plumbing lines are blocked then they can easily be dealt with by numerous techniques. When multiple systems become blocked, such as the sewerage systems, this means that the problem is often from the main plumbing line being blocked. If the blockage is cleared however the system still is clogged or experiences similar issues then the main line may have to be accessed directly.
Water Drains Slowly
If drains are not completely blocked then the sinks, toilets and other systems may experience water to drain slowly. The plumbing line might not be exactly blocked however there could be one or many obstructions limiting the water flow. If the obstruction is large and cannot be removed through other blocked drain removal techniques then directly accessing the pipe is required.
Sewer Smells
The smell of sewage near sinks or other drains might indicate that the plumbing line is cracked or broken. A plumber will often have to resort to repairing or replacing the pipe and excavations may be the only option to successfully complete this task.
Sinkholes or Indentations
Around the property, if there are any indentations or sinkholes then the plumbing lines underneath may be leaking water. The soil dissipates and the landscape, vegetation and parts of the property sags or a sinkhole may appear. A plumber will have to access the leak to stop it where excavating or similar processes will help.
Unusual Healthy Patches of Grass
Leaks in underground piping systems may also cause the grass in some areas to be much greener than others. The waste and water leaking will fertilise the grass and soil and could be a sign that a plumber will need to be contacted.
Trusted Plumbing Excavations for Sydney
Optimised Plumbing Services will perform plumbing excavations throughout Sydney when needed. Our excavation services have us using a variety of techniques to access pipes to replace or repair them. Each fully qualified plumber, working from North Shore to South Western Sydney, ensures that the plumbing excavation services are completed properly. That is why trusting Optimised Plumbing Services for excavation and all other plumbing jobs is the best way to go!
Want to learn more? Read our blog on 10 questions to ask your plumber.
