Techniques for Replacing Sewers in Omaha

There are three methods for replacing sewers: traditional trenching, pipe bursting, and pipe lining. American Rooter Plumbing offers all of these services.

Unfortunately, if a drain line has what is called a “belly,” or a sag, in the drain line, the only way to fix it is to dig it up. Sometimes, when exposing just this section of bad pipe, we find that a simple sewer repair will allow us to line the remaining sewer line towards the house and then towards the city connect, providing you with a brand new line. Pipe bursting may also be an effective solution, preventing you from having to trench your entire yard. We prefer pipe lining if it’s an option.

Contact our officeat (402) 298-5414 for more details on sewer replacement methods in Omaha and possible limitations.

Pipe Lining

At American Rooter, we want to provide less-invasive and safe solutions to repair or replace a sewer. Thus, we chose to invest in the CIPP method of pipe lining rather than the PIPP method. With the CIPP process, also known as Cured in Place Pipe, the plumber will only need one access point. Unlike the PIPP process, the plumber would need two access points – two holes to access the pipe. One access point would be where the pipe replacement starts, and the other would be where it ends.

As you begin researching, you will find both methods of lining on the market. You will see different geographical areas of America, or even different geographical areas of the world, that allow for a single access point with no digging. Unfortunately, this is not an option in the Omaha Metropolitan Area if you are replacing your outside sanitary sewer. This is because the drain line in the building is usually a 3-inch drain line, and when it exits the property, it turns into a 6-inch drain line. Pipe bursting and pipe lining will not be successful starting at a 3-inch line and continuing through to a 6-inch pipe.

While pipe lining is the most preferred method for property owners, it may not be available in your area because of code regulations or your plumbing situation.

We can and have requested permission from the city. Sometimes the Omaha Plumbing Board will approve lining; other times, they will not. The city might not have a good reason for not allowing it other than they “do not know enough” about it. Some board members are very interested and want to learn more, but other board members do not like change, sadly. Pipe lining has been around since 1970’s. It is available nearly everywhere else in this country and in many other countries outside the states.

Pipe Bursting

If pipe lining is unavailable in an area like Omaha, then pipe bursting is your second option. When our sewer team and plumbers at American Rooter Plumbing replace a sewer via pipe burst, you will see two access points – the starting and end points. We will expose the pipe where it exits the building and connects to the city, providing you with a new sewer line.

Most of the time, we must expose the city connect, which is under the street. Additionally, in about 2017, the City of Omaha started changing how things worked regarding contractors breaking up the streets. We believe this is to help protect our roads from chips and potholes when partial panels are being removed.