Between 1993 and 2012 alone, winter storms caused around $28 billion in insured catastrophe losses. That’s an average of $1 billion per year, according to Property Claim services. For nearly one-quarter of those claims, water damage and freezing were the cause. Ah, the joys of winter weather.
When the temperature drops below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or 6 degrees Celsius, water pipes are prone to freeze and break. According to IBHS, a mere one-eight inch crack in a pipe can result in over 250 gallons of water leaking per day. Imagine 250 gallons of water spewing across your floors, soaking into furniture, destroying appliances an personal items. Not a fun image, is it? Sewer pipes are one of the easiest features of your home to ignore until they make their presence all too well known. Due to this, sewer system repair decisions are often made in the midst of 250-gallon emergencies, leaving little time for research.
To keep you from having to make costly, snap decisions in an emergency, we’ve addressed some of the common questions here:
How often should I have my sewer line inspected?
No two sewers are alike. Experts will tell you your sewer’s lifeline depends on multiple factors, but if your sewer is 40 years old, there’s a strong chance it needs replacing. Even if your home is less than 40 years old, the plumbing connected to it may be older. In an online poll conducted by Angie’s list, nearly 25% of respondents said they’ve already had their sewer replaced. Another 3% indicated it was destined to occur in their imminent future. The best way to prevent surprise leaks is to ensure your sewer is well-maintained.
How much will a sewer line inspection cost?
Inspection prices vary, but are typically between $250 an $350. Having a professional examine your sewer lining system will at the very least help you budget for future repairs or replacements.
What if there is already damage to the sewer line?
If there is damage, the next step is determining the best method to repair it. Nearly three-quarters of those surveyed by Angie’s List said they’d be willing to pay more for a sewer pipe repair if it didn’t damage their existing landscaping or outdoor structures. If having a giant trench dug through your yard isn’t on your list of backyard rehabilitation chores, consider using trenchless cured in place pipe (CIPP) repair instead.
What is trenchless CIPP?
Although it’s been around for over a decade, many homeowners are unfamiliar with trenchless CIPP technology. According to Angie’s List, 78% of homeowners had no idea a no dig solution to pipe lining repair existed. The good news is it does and it’s called trenchless repair.
A CIPP is essentially a pipe within a pipe. By using trenchless cipp technology, you can repair and prolong the life of damaged pipes without uprooting your life and landscape. The pipe lining is installed from a single access point and threaded down the original pipe to the point of damage.
What does trenchless CIPP cost?
Trenchless CIPP isn’t necessarily the cheapest option. It can cost as much as 30 to 50% more than conventional digging in some cases. Where trenchless rehabilitation saves you money, however, is in avoiding the thousands of dollars necessary to restore uprooted landscaping and outdoor structures.
Is trenchless CIPP worth it?
Trenchless CIPP replacements can save over 90% of the grounds, driveways, and landscaping that would otherwise be ripped off by conventional digging methods. This means preserving more than just your lawn, but also electrical, water, and gas lines that could potentially be damaged by more invasive methods of pipe repair.
As Murphy would tell us, anything that can go wrong will go wrong. When it comes to sewer pipes, a wrong turn can result in extensive damage and headaches. No one can predict the future or when damage will occur, so the best strategy is to stay abreast of the curve by having your sewer line inspected. The next best strategy is to ahve a plan for how you’ll repair a leak when it does occur. Trenchless CIPP repair can save thousands in landscape and renovation costs with its no dig technology. Protect your home’s integrity and landscape by making the right pipeline repair choice for you.