Municipal Underground Sewer Rehabilitation
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Many underground sewers throughout the country are aged and outdated, relying on old technology such as clay and cast-iron pipes.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.
