Tag Archives: sewer line

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Commercial Underground Pipes and Proper Maintenance

Commercial Underground Pipes and Proper Maintenance

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Just like residential plumbing systems, underground lines and pipes for municipalities and commercial properties can take a beating over time. That’s why local governments and business owners should familiarize themselves with the importance of proper maintenance for underground pipes and utilities. With routine maintenance and consistent monitoring, these pipes will provide their intended services without the risk of catastrophe.

Trenchless Technology and Its Role in Underground Pipe Maintenance

Underground pipe maintenance isn’t a simple fix, or at least traditionally. But over the past decade or so, trenchless technology has been a saving grace in the industry. Without the need to dig huge holes manually or with heavy machinery, the amount of time needed to fix underground pipes has been halved or become even more efficient than that.

In addition, studies show that nearly $1 trillion of aging water and sewage pipes across American will need to be replaced within the next 25 years. But with trenchless technology techniques such as directional drilling, microtunneling, pipe ramming, and pipe bursting, municipalities and commercial properties can fix the issue on time and under budget.

Sewer Rehabilitation

Destroyed over time by roots, natural wear, and tear, and other environmental factors, sewer pipes are always a concern for homeowners, commercial property owners, and municipalities. But with the advent of trenchless technology for pipes and maintenance, how people approach the problem has changed drastically.

Again, instead of digging a hole and searching for signs of aging or leaks, trenchless tech provides an easier way to fix any issues. Small, flexible cameras can find signs of potential problems. Once these issues are discovered by the technician, pipe bursting (installing a larger pipe inside the original pipe by breaking the old pipe), slip lining (installing a smaller pipe in the original pipe, or cured-in-place piping is administered.

Using any of these techniques can prevent a full-scale project with holes and potential hazards present in highly trafficked areas. And with the addition of trenchless technologies, governments may even save money due to the less amount of man hours per project.

Time Is a Major Factor

Time is always a major factor with regard to underground pipes and infrastructure repair. And that’s what makes trenchless solutions such an excellent choice for a project. With less setup work, easy operation of the machinery, and quicker repairs, trenchless options provide a fast option for projects where time is of the essence.

Hiring the Right Company for Underground Pipes and Maintenance

With the latest breakthroughs in underground maintenance technology, municipalities should begin to take a proactive approach to underground infrastructure. The more they can monitor pipes and provide maintenance, the less of a chance that a major problem is likely to occur.

But these same government entities and companies should also be wary about who they hire for the work, as not just any company will do. Therefore, they should look for a company with the right mix of modernized equipment, a skilled staff, and years of experience. By doing so, maintenance of pipes and underground systems becomes a routine expense that offers a fully working solution to plumbing, sewer, and other utilities.

EPS Inc. dba Express Plumbing has been serving the Bay Area since 1989.  We are an advanced civil engineering and plumbing contractor.  Our fleet of advanced equipment combined with our experienced technicians can get the project done within budget and on time.

If you have an upcoming project, contact Nick Bechwati today to discuss plans.


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Municipal Underground Sewer Rehabilitation

Municipal Underground Sewer Rehabilitation

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Talk about trenchless technology and sewer rehabilitation that involves municipalities and entire

neighborhoods. Just like plumbing at home, lines and pipes underground take a beating so the cities and local counties are always involved in rehabilitating these underground lines.  EPS Inc. is proud to be a reliable partner for the Bay Area municipalities when they need an equipped and experienced underground construction contractor.

Many underground sewers throughout the country are aged and outdated, relying on old technology such as clay and cast-iron pipes. As a result, the threat of sewers backing up and underground infrastructure failing is an alarming reality. Fortunately, municipalities are rising up to the challenge of aging infrastructure by undergoing mass sewer rehabilitation.

With the added benefit of trenchless technology, the process is becoming far less invasive, yet the results are the same: a fully functioning sewer system with a minimal chance of catastrophic failure. Here’s a glance at how the process works and what to expect as a result.

Why Underground Sewers Fail

Underground sewer pipes can fail for a number of reasons. But perhaps the most severe problem is due to the corrosive effects of hydrogen sulfide gas. A natural byproduct of human waste, this gas can corrode manholes as well as metal pipes. The gas is also highly flammable, adding another unsavory dimension to sewer rehab.

Rapid population growth in many municipalities has also led to increased levels of this gas, along with excess use on dated sewer systems. Throughout the country, many sewer systems are reaching the end of their useful life—typically in the range of 40 to 50 years. This can lead to a bevy of issues, including pipe displacement or pipe bursts.

One other reason why underground sewer systems fail is due to the material of the pipes. Clay pipes can break and move over time, while cast-iron and other metal pipes corrode due to water seepage and hydrogen sulfide gas. Fortunately, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) pipes can amend this situation. Made from plastic, these pipes are durable, non-corrosive, lightweight, and easier to install.

How Trenchless Technology Is Revolutionizing Sewer Rehabilitation

In years past, sewer rehabilitation was an arduous process. Not only did workers have to dig out and replace pipes manually, but the disruption to traffic and damage to municipal and personal property was vast. Plus, the costs were exorbitant.

Today, trenchless technology makes these problems an aspect of the past. Unlike traditional sewer repair, this technology allows contractors to repair pipes within a matter of hours or days rather than weeks or months.

Making the repair process easier, trenchless technology also comes in a variety of options to suit timeframes and budgetary restrictions. The most common trenchless repairs for municipalities include:

  • Directional boring
  • Pipe bursting
  • Epoxy and resin (manhole-to-manhole lining)
  • Lateral pipe lining
  • Sectional point repairs

With several options, municipalities can choose the perfect option for their sewer rehabilitation needs. 

Sewer rehabilitation isn’t an aspect of municipal utilities that can wait until failure. Much to the contrary, it’s a process that requires a proactive approach from local councils and politicians With EPS Inc. dba Express Plumbing on their side, they know they have a hands-on company that relies on its experienced staffed and vast fleet of necessary equipment to get the job done quickly, within budget, and least disruption to the local community.

Call to discuss an upcoming underground construction project in the Bay Area with Nick Bechwati, leading the way in providing innovative civil engineering techniques and technology to accomplish the task at hand no matter how complicated, large or small an underground construction project is.


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Why is Video Inspection of Sewer Lines So Important?

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Unfortunately Sewer line plumbing problems tend to come up when we least expect them, but knowing how to handle the situation best can save you lots of money and time. Sewer lines are often the issue, and a video camera inspection can quickly pinpoint the area needing the most attention.

What is a sewer video camera?

Before you get excited send your iPhone down the drain to take a video, it’s important to note that a video camera for the sewer line is a specialty camera generally used by professional plumbers and not available on the open market for the general public. We use it more, so it’s worth the investment.

Why have a sewer line video done?

Let’s just say it won’t be a YouTube hit, but it will minimize the hit on your pocket. Here are some very common reasons why we get called out to perform a video inspection of sewer lines in the Bay Area. This is just a few examples and not a inclusive list of reasons.

  • A real estate transaction may require an inspection on older homes
  • Homeowners lost something of value down the drain and want to locate it
  • A block or clog in the drain that’s in the sewer line and must be located

“A little rat decides to visit during a video inspection”

Sewer line video inspection cost?

Our San Mateo plumbing company always provides a free estimate, so you’ll always know the cost upfront. The exact cost will vary depending on the length of the pipe, location, difficulty in performing the task, and location of the sewer line.

Benefits of a Real-Time Sewer Line Video Inspection

A big problem can be created from a small one if you’re not dealing with an experienced plumber, trenches are dug up, pipes are cut and simply a big mess is created that you don’t want to deal with emotionally or financially.

Real time sewer line inspections save you time and money by taking the guess work out of the equation.
We are insured, bonded, and certified to handle all sewer repair and installation requests.

In fact our plumbing company has the advanced equipment needed to perform multi-directional sewer line inspections. We can reach tough places, and our advanced equipment gives your real-time inspection.

Like most home repair problems, catching issues early is very important, so the more you maintain the plumbing the less problems you have in the long run, but if ever you have a lateral line obstruction, sewer repair or installation, you can rely on our San Mateo area plumbers to get it done right the first time. We’ve been your sewer line experts since 1989.


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Express Plumbing
307 N. Amphlett Blvd San Mateo, CA 94401
Phone: (800) 246-6425 $246 - $6425
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