During the colder months, your property – at home or work – will go through some challenges due to the drop in temperatures. Pipes and water are a big issue and unlike much of your property, when you have a problem with your water works, it can be catastrophic.

Water in a property is a real worry and it can cause a lot of damage, so it pays to know and understand how to keep them working well and give them the best chance to stay in a good condition.

Burst pipes are nearly always avoidable, with a few exceptions, so read on and get to grips with those silent but essential veins in your property.

There are four main causes to a burst pipe. These are:

• Frozen pipes
• Moving pipes
• Water pressure
• Corrosion

Understanding these four main areas will go a long way to protecting your pipes from issues, so let’s go into them in more detail, explain why they’re a cause of problems, and explore what preventative actions you can take.

Frozen Pipes

The obvious issue is the temperature change and you’re most likely aware of this threat to your pipes.

But why does the cold weather cause pipes to burst? Well, it all comes down to science.

Although a lot of nature actually shrinks in the cold, ice naturally has more volume than water and of course when water freezes this means it takes on a larger shape and requires more room. When water freezes it expands, and when the water is inside the pipe, it increases the pressure – which can lead to cracks and then leaks when the water defrosts.

Preventing frozen pipes:

• Allow some water to flow by opening your faucets – this will stop ice forming as the water is continually moving, not sitting.
• Insulate your pipes – outside pipes need a winter coat, or isolate them and drain them entirely.
• Allow warm air to circulate – opening cupboards and doors to raise the temperature just a few degrees can really help.

Moving Pipes

Quite clearly, pipes are best left alone as movement can affect their joints and joins and the junctions that will have been put in place to allow them to navigate around your property. Movements in pipes can give your joints just enough room to crack and shift the fitting and this is clearly not ideal.

Preventing moving pipes:

• Secure any lose fixtures – if your pipe fittings on the walls are loose, tighten or replace them.
• Listen for ‘water hammer’ – water hammer is the noise your pipes make as they bang on the wall when you turn off your water. This is a tell-tale sign that you need to find a loose bracket and fix it.

Water Pressure

The pressure that goes through your pipes will put a lot of strain on them should it increase for any reason. This can happen during big thaws in the main sewer lines, for example. In your property it’s not that common to experience it in the main water supply, but it’s worth knowing the tell-tale signs.

Water pressure signs:

• Check your pressure – a water pressure gauge can be fitted to your sink spout. A reading of over 60 psi is your warning sign for too much pressure.
• Look for other signs – maybe your taps and hoses are unusually more powerful.

Corrosion

Pipes should last a very long time but as with everything, there will be a time when they need to be replaced. Water flowing through pipes will rarely cause corrosion, but a change in the PH level can, over time, cause them to corrode and that will lead to issues like rust.

This is tough to spot, but older pipes can show signs of leaks and corrosion with a telling green water mark running down the pipes – and of course rust on the joints may indicate you have an issue.

The best advice here is to have an expert check over your pipes as moving them and poking about can often cause problems that you don’t already have.

Call the experts

Concerned that your Colorado property isn’t winter ready? Why not book an inspection now and put your mind at ease? We can cover all areas of your plumbing from taps to septic tanks. Contact us right now.

Knowing what’s going on in your pipes might not be keeping you awake at night, but when you have a problem, it will.

Plumbing and water in particular is a real worry for property owners when things aren’t right. Flooding or backed-up sewage is certainly on the list of things you’d rather never have to fix.

CCTV pipe inspections can help you see the unseen by gently entering the pipes without causing any damage, giving you a real-time view of the world underground.

For the most part, this gives us (the pipe experts) and you (the property owner) a clear view and an idea of what needs to be done, if anything.

But when should you have a pipe inspection and what are the triggers to get one booked?

You think you have a problem

If you think there’s an issue with your pipes and that something isn’t quite right then a CCTV pipe inspection is a good idea. Pipes are hidden underground and although this is ideal for the majority of their lives, it does mean you can’t truly see what’s going on and what the problem is.

Getting down and into the pipes is the only way.

If you’ve spotted any of these common sewage problems with your plumbing system, then a CCTV inspection is a good idea.

You have a problem

If you know you have a problem then a CCTV pipe inspection is still a good idea, even if you know what the problem is. You probably don’t know exactly where it is. Most of the time an inspection will eliminate unnecessary excavation and work as you’ll know precisely what the issue is rather than working on guesswork.

A CCTV view will give you the right data and then – with expert help – the right solution!

You’d like to know what’s going on

There are times when you might like to know what’s happening in your pipes, what state they’re in, and maybe if you need any work ahead of seeing those early warning signs.

A CCTV pipe survey is only as good as the most recent one you had, as your pipes are subject to change. Bacteria grows, sludge builds up, tree roots grow.

You might simply want some peace of mind and feel that booking a CCTV pipe inspection for your Colorado home is just a sensible thing to do to give you an update and overview of your underground system.

You’re buying or selling your property

Moving in or out? You might benefit from an inspection just to make sure everything is as it should be.

This is especially true if you’re buying the property. Think about your current home. You know it well. You know each and every creaky board, the window that sticks and how to fix it, and you know if you had a tree root grow into your sewage main line a few years ago.

If you’re buying, you rarely know this information.

So why not obtain it? And if you’re selling, why not obtain it and supply it to your buyers, for their peace of mind, satisfaction, and trust.

It’s far better to have a clear view on your plumbing just as you would your electrics and building foundations. At the end of the day, the plumbing needs to work effectively and is an essential part of any property.

When it’s your responsibility

There will come a time when the city or state will ask you to check on your plumbing and sewage works for whatever reason. It’s your responsibility as the homeowner to fix and repair broken sewer lines that travel from your property to the main municipal line.

If you ever get a notification in the mail from the city asking you to inspect and check your pipes then you need to arrange it as soon as possible. A CCTV inspection will ensure you have all the answers and proof you need.

CCTV pipe inspections… the eyes beneath the ground

You might even feel that an annual look into the system is a good idea just for peace of mind or simply use the service when you feel you have a few warning signs starting to show.

CCTV will inspect your pipes without causing any damage or disruption, and give us and you the best idea of what to do next.

If you feel you need a better view of what’s going on in your drainage and sewage system then contact us now and we’ll arrange a visit.

Everything in your home that uses water is linked to the drainage system and then into the main sewer line. This includes your sinks, toilets, bath, shower, washing machine, and even your dishwasher.

Washing the dishes is a job best left to the machine but there’s always the chance that the dishwasher could be adding to a sewer or drainage problem.

The main thing to focus on and make sure you do before loading the dishwasher is that the washing works better without food pieces on the plates and other items. Use the garbage disposal or the trash can for the food waste, not the dishwasher. Lazy loading with really dirty plates won’t give you great results and it just forces food waste and grease in your plumbing and drainage. This will lead to problems in the future.

There are some early warning signs that your dishwasher is getting blocked and not working as efficiently as it could, and here they are:

Dirty dishes

The easy spot is the result of the wash. If your dishes are still dirty or not as clean as you’d expect, there’s something wrong. After checking that the salt and rinsing detergent are topped up, you might want to check the water is filling and draining correctly.

You dishwasher might not have filled with water because you have a clog in your main or kitchen line. Get it checked out before it gets worse.

Gasping and gurgling

Sounds and smells from any of your drainage or sewage lines are a bad sign. It’s not always catastrophic but you’re highly recommended to act quickly if you see, smell, or hear something unusual.

If you do hear an unusual gurgling coming from your drains, it’s likely an indication that you have water trying hard to push through a blockage.

Clogs can appear anywhere in your drainage system and could be as far as the main sewer line, but they won’t get better on their own. Hear some gurgling from your dishwasher? Get it checked out right away.

Slow-flowing waste water

Not always easy to spot this one, but if your dishwasher is draining slowly or the sink next to it (which is usually using the same drainage pipe) is draining slow, you might have a clog nearby.

Slow draining water is a key indicator that you have something blocking the pipes and with the sink or dishwasher it’s usually some grease build-up or food waste stuck. A quick plunger to the drain hole for either the sink or dish washer can help, but get it plunged or checked to halt the problem from getting worse.

Water backed-up

Just as above, that link between the dishwasher and the sink can often cause more obvious problems. If your dishwasher goes into its drainage cycle and the water backs up into your sink, then you have a clear clog.

If the water has nowhere to go but up, there’s a block. Check your U-bend and drainage further down. If the dishwasher is pushing waste water, again there’s a clog somewhere. It might be a simple plunger job, or a job for an expert like us. Whichever it is – get on it fast!

Water waiting

After a cycle your dishwasher should be empty. You should have clean plates, pots, pans, and cutlery and you shouldn’t see water in the bottom of the machine. If you do, you have a drainage issue and you’ll probably also have a poor finish on your dishes.

Good drainage is essential to the quality of your wash and water waiting for you when you open the door of a completed wash is a sign you need a plumbing inspection. Try cleaning out the drainage trap (a weekly job really) and a quick plunge to see if you can shift the water.

If not, you have a problem further down and you might need to call us.

Be gentle with your dishwasher…

Don’t overload you dishwasher with food waste. Scrape and rinse your dirty plates and pots in the garbage disposal or trash before you run a wash. Food and grease don’t get on well with plumbing and a simple clean before you put them in will save you future problems.

Got a problem with your Colorado plumbing? Contact us now and we’ll help you get back in the flow!

A leaking pipe is a real worry. Not knowing where the problem is and seeing and hearing water or blockages is the stuff of nightmares for a home owner. Telling smells in the front yard or slow running water from the washroom are all signs that there’s something not right down below!

That’s the main problem with plumbing – you can’t see the problem. Usually the tell-tale signs that you have a blockage or problem have been ignored and the problem has reached new heights… or depths, as the case probably is.

That’s when we get the call. But it doesn’t mean your front yard or driveway will get a new scar with excavation work.

Thanks to trenchless technology we don’t always need to dig up the road, sidewalk, or your yard, which is far better for everyone including your property.

What is trenchless technology?

Trenchless technology is the new way to fix and repair pipes, drains, and sewers without digging… a trench! Trenchless! With new technology we can repair within the pipe without removing it and in some cases, we can use the old pipe to make a new one just like we can with sewer relining.

What is sewer relining?

Sewer relining is a special technique that relines a sewer with an epoxy or polyester based resin lining inside the sewer to make good and repair it.

Due to the way it works, it requires no excavations and the repair is jointless and good to go once it’s set.

Here’s how it works:

1. CCTV Pipe inspection – Firstly, we’ll inspect the pipe with CCTV to find and asses the problem so we can determine the right fix. If the best fix is is sewer relining then well be able to take measurements and calculate the amount of relining we’ll need to do.
2. Then we’ll create the right amount materials from a 2-part resin and liner. We’ll do this off-site and return with the liner and machines to repair your sewer line.
3. A pre-determined access point is then decided based on the pipe, the damage, and where we need to repair. This access point won’t need to be large and we can work down or up-stream as the equipment is very powerful. A small access point is dug out ready for the machines to move in.
4. Then we’ll take the liner (mixed with the 2-part resin) and push it into the sewer pipe with our high-pressure machines.
5. Air pressure is added and monitored as the pipe is filled with the liner and it takes shape inside the pipe, pushing right out to fill the space inside and line the pipe.
6. The air pressure will continue to be added and monitored until the resin and liner is cured and set solid inside its new home in the pipe. Then the end of the liner is cut off and we’ll leave it to set.
7. Lastly, we’ll do another CCTV pipe inspection and check on the repair. We’ll ensure that the pipe is now sealed and safe to be used again.

And there you have it. A standalone pipe repair can be made without the use of big excavation or pipe replacement. The old pipe is left in the ground with its new 100% watertight fix and the sewer can be used for many years to come.

Is pipe relining a quick fix? Or will it last?

Although pipe relining might sound like a sticky plaster over a crack, it’s far more than that. The resin and liner forms a brand new pipe inside the old one, and it will set as hard as the old pipe and perform just like the old pipe did for years.

Pipe relining techniques leave behind a smooth, seamless pipe that’s designed to last for generations to come. It’s a seriously good repair that is designed to last you for as long as you’ll own the property and beyond.

When is pipe relining used?

Pipe relining is used when we find pipes that are cracked, punctured or have collapsed due to shifting soil, frozen ground, tree roots, and other causes of damage underground. The sewer lining will cover over those crack and holes and make the pipe as good as new with a jointless pipe that will flow beautifully for generations to come.

Will the sewer relining fail like the old pipe did?

It might seem like a strange concept to get your head around and it might seem illogical that fixed pipes last longer than brand new pipes, but they do. Relining is actually better than replacing with a like-for-like pipe in most cases. Old PVC pipes are usually not as strong as relined pipes, which, when repaired by a professional, can last for decades or longer without touch-ups or repairs needed.

Trenchless, durable, and fast-fixing

Sewer relining is a great technology that stops countless excavations and endless scars on the roads, sidewalks, driveways, or the neighbouring countryside. Fixing the pipe from the inside out and causing very little damage to the environment around it means you’ll have minimal disruption with maximum results.

If you feel you need a CCTV pipe inspection to find a problem you have under your property in Colorado then give High Country Roto Rooter a call now and we’ll take a look.

A blocked pipe is no fun and in many instances this can mean a visit from a contractor like ourselves. Although we love to see you, you may not want to see us!

Blocked pipes can be caused by many things from grease to sanitary products, to a build-up over time that has collected waste and grease. Tree roots or collapsed or sagging pipes are another reason you might have a block or leak.

A CCTV pipe inspection will usually tell you what the problem is and in no time at all you’ll see what’s causing the block. But if it’s a tree root or a more serious problem, often a pipe will crack and break, and that means the pipe will need to be replaced.

Replacing a pipe by digging down and removing and replacing it is more costly (to you and the surrounding ground) and if it can be avoided then we’d all prefer it.

But what’s the answer to a cracked pipe that needs replacing that isn’t an excavation?

Pipe bursting saves excavation and time

Pipe bursting is exactly as it sounds. It’s a procedure carried out by a local waste water and plumbing company and involves a technique created to save digging up the ground or even removing the old pipe at all.

Pipe bursting destroys the cracked pipe and leaves it in the ground to make way for a brand new, and environmentally-friendly pipe. Pipe bursting allows a contractor to lay a new pipe in its place and leave the broken pipe in the ground for the earth to compress it. It also stops heavy digging work and the resulting issues around that.

Pipe bursting is not something that can be carried out ‘DIY’. It needs a trained company to do it because it involves heavy and powerful machinery that needs to be operated by a trained expert.

Here’s how it works in essence:

1. Specialized pneumatic or hydraulic equipment is inserted into one end of the cracked pipe to force a bursting head through it.
2. The front of the machinery has a cone-shaped end called a bursting head. This head fits into the pipe, but the main (following) body of the machinery is larger. So as it’s pulled through the old pipe, it forces its way inside the old pipe, pushes it out, and cracks and breaks up under the pressure.
3. Following the bursting head (and the broken ‘exploded’ old pipe) is a new HDPE pipe that is seamlessly inserted into the trench where the old pipe once was.
4. Then the pipe is then connected at either end, the smaller excavation at either end of the pipe is filled, and the job is complete.

The pipe that’s burst is replaced in one swift movement, meaning that the new pipe won’t struggle to be put in its new position. No large excavation is needed to remove the old one.

Pipe bursting (or trenchless pipe repair) isn’t more cost-effective, but it is better for the land surrounding the pipe and it is a more time-efficient way to replace cracked pipes.

Pipe bursting is especially popular where there are large buildings or roads above the pipes where excavating the old pipe and replacing it would cause closures, loss of business, or disturbance to the local environment including trees, hedgerows, or wild life.

Is pipe bursting bad for the environment?

Pipe bursting or trenchless pipe repair can damage the ground and of course any neighbouring pipes or cables and special care should be taken (and will be with an expert) to ensure nothing is disturbed too much in the vicinity.

Trenchless pipe repair is a better option than the obvious upheaval that an excavation will cause, though. Although the old pipes are not always as safe for the environment as the new pipes are, it’s not seen as a bad practice. The old pipe will be eaten up by the ground around the new pipe and it’s unlikely that these broken pieces will ever cause harm to the surround earth, plants, or wildlife.

The new old pipe simply stays where it was, in the ground in many pieces as the bursting head breaks it up; pushed into the surrounding earth which acts like an absorbing sponge would with water.

Is pipe bursting more expensive that excavating?

Pipe bursting (trenchless pipe repair) is not a cheaper option and in some cases will be more expensive than simply digging up the old pipe and replacing it. But… all that work will cause other issues like having to landscape the ground, move structures or even buildings. In some circumstances it simply isn’t possible without a huge upheaval.

The isolated job of repairing the pipe may well be more expensive, but the pros in many environments and situations often outweigh the cons.

What are the alternatives to pipe bursting?

Pipe lining could be carried out. This is when the pipe is relined with a smaller pipe that is inserted inside the old, cracked or broken pipe. This isn’t always possible though, and in the case of a collapsed or sagging pipe, relining won’t always work, or even be possible.

The other alternative is to excavate the entire pipe and that’s often an alternative that doesn’t bear thinking about for most situations.

Pipe bursting saves time and hassle

Pipe bursting is quite an aggressive approach to a broken pipe but given the nature of a pipe and where it’s found, bursting and replacing can be the best option.

Before having any work carried out it’s highly recommended that you have a CCTV pipe inspection to investigate the source of the problem and get it diagnosed by a professional.

That way you always have the best solution to your pipe problem, and you don’t create more unnecessary work.

If you need more help please do content us for your Colorado pipe repair and we’ll be glad to help.