A Closer Look at Sewer Line Repair in Tulsa

Table of Contents:
1. What’s Causing Your Sewer Line Issues?
2. The Science of Sewer Line Repair in Tulsa
3. Torch Service Company for Your Tulsa Sewer Line Repair

As a homeowner in Tulsa, you know that maintaining your property goes beyond just paying your mortgage and mowing the lawn. One often surprising aspect of homeownership that can unexpectedly fall on your shoulders is sewer line repair. 

While the federal government awarded more than $440 million in 2022 in support of water and sewer upgrades in Tulsa, these funds focused primarily on businesses and supporting economic growth. Plus, if a portion of the sewer line that needs upgrades is located within a homeowner’s property, they’ll be the ones responsible for making the fix. 

Tulsa homeowners should closely monitor their sewer lines to address any issues early before they become a disastrous (and disgusting) backup that leaks waste or even causes a sinkhole beneath your driveway! 

Our Tulsa plumbers at Torch Service Company are available to make sure everything is running smoothly and to diagnose any issues you may have. We can also provide plumbing system repairs to sustain the health of your drains and sewer system. 

What’s Causing Your Sewer Line Issues?

Aging Infrastructure

Tulsa, like many cities, is dealing with an aging sewer infrastructure. These older sewer lines often have leaks, cracks and blockages. This is especially true for homes in historic areas with properties more than a century old like Brady Heights, Riverview, and White City.

Homeowners in older areas of Tulsa should be particularly vigilant in identifying signs of potential sewer line issues as sewer lines on their property may have gone untouched and unchecked for several decades.

Flushing the Wrong Stuff

Blockages and clogs in drains and sewer pipes cause a major headache for homeowners. Some common culprits of blockages in your sewer lines include:

Grease

Pouring grease down the drain may seem harmless, but it can solidify and cling to the walls of your pipes, causing a buildup over time. This can restrict the flow of wastewater and eventually lead to a clog.

Debris

Small pieces of food, hair, soap scum, and other debris can accumulate in your drains, especially in kitchen and bathroom sinks and showers. Over time, this debris can combine and form a blockage. 

Non-Flushable Items

Your toilet is not a garbage can, and flushing non-flushable items can quickly clog your main sewer line. Things such as wipes (including so-called “flushable” wipes), cotton balls, feminine hygiene products and paper towels can build up and cause a sewer line blockage. These items don’t break down like toilet paper and you’ll have to hire a plumber to have them removed. 

Preventing clogs can be the best action you can take to avoid needing to call a plumber.  You should let everyone in your home (or business) know exactly what is on the “No Flush” list. 

Adding strainers or filters to your drains can also avoid the need for drain cleaning services or more intensive sewer line cleaning.  If you’re experiencing frequent backups or slow drains, it’s always best to contact a professional plumber who can assess the situation and provide an effective solution.

Tree Roots Abound

Tree roots are a common cause of sewer line issues and even more so in Tulsa than in other areas because of the loamy soil that supports tree root’s health and growth. The tiny, hair-like roots of trees are attracted to the moisture and nutrients inside the pipes. These roots infiltrate sewer lines from time to time while searching for water, causing blockages and pipe damage. 

Our Tulsa plumbers can help you determine what is blocking your drain and remove or remedy the situation. 

The Science of Sewer Line Repair in Tulsa

Sewer line repair involves digging a trench that runs along the length of the damaged pipe. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the process: 

Initial Assessment

Before any digging begins, plumbers use a tiny camera, known as a sewer inspection camera or sewer scope, to inspect the inside of the pipes. The camera is inserted into the sewer line so your plumber can visually examine the pipe’s condition and identify any issues.

Excavation

Once your plumber identifies the problem, they’ll dig a trench along the affected portion of the sewer line. 

Sewer Line Repair or Replacement

Once the affected pipe is exposed, the plumbers repair the affected section. Depending on the extent of the damage, they may have to patch a leak using an epoxy resin or completely replace the pipe.

Backfill and Restoration

After your sewer line is repaired, your plumbers refill the trench with soil, compact it to ensure it’s stable, and try to restore the area to its original condition as much as possible.

Hydro Jetting

Hydro jetting is often employed as a sewer repair option that cleans pipes thoroughly. If you have a blockage from improperly flushed items or build-up of grease and debris, hydro jetting is a simple and effective option to clear the issue quickly. High-pressure water is blasted into your sewer pipe, removing obstructions blocking drains’ flow. 

Skilled plumbers armed with sewer inspection cameras can accurately diagnose the issue, select the most appropriate repair technique, and ensure a thorough and efficient repair process.

Trust Torch Service Company with Your Tulsa Sewer Line Repair 

 As a homeowner in Tulsa, it’s important to stay proactive when addressing sewer line issues. Our licensed plumbers understand how big of a headache a sewer line leak, failure or obstruction can be. We offer a range of services, the industry-standard best practices for sewer line repair and hydro jetting to ensure thorough cleaning.

Don’t let sewer line problems disrupt your daily life or cause further damage to your property. Contact Torch Service Company today for a professional assessment and reliable repairs.