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.

Most of the time you’ll use the plumbing in your home without thinking about how it works or how lucky we are in the developed world to have such effective sanitation. It’s not until you have a problem that you become acutely aware of it all. Most property owners aren’t affected by plumbing most of the time as the underground network does its job quietly and safely.

But there will be a time when you have a plumbing problem. This can range from a small localised issue to a larger problem away from your immediate plumbing. The property’s plumbing will all feed into a main sewer which is a larger and more robust system that takes your waste away to be treated and recycled.

If you have a problem here, it can take time for you to notice, so you’ll carry on flushing and draining into the problem without a care. But eventually that problem will cause a total shut down of your plumbing and then you’ll wish you had been given some advanced warning.

Well, the good news is – there are some warning signs! You just have to keep an eye out for them.

These four key signs you have a sewer blockage will tell you when it’s time to contact your local drain and sewer expert and get that problem cleared and everything working well again.

Look out for these four signs and you’ll be at least aware of issues early enough to prevent a bigger problem.

Slow draining sinks and bathtubs

This one is a simple one to spot and one you’ll have experienced before but possibly not considered it to be a problem. When you pull the plug on your sink or bath you probably walk off and get dry, get dressed, and head off.

But try to keep an eye on that water briefly, each time you pull the plug.

• Does the water drain in good time?
• Is it taking longer than normal?
• Does it leave a residue on the bathtub or basin (a sign it took a while to vanish)?

It’s not the most exciting job in the world, and we’re not suggesting you do this for the entire drain, but keep an eye on it for a short amount of time and you’ll soon notice if the drainage takes longer than normal.

Why? Well this is a sign that you have an issue in the sewer.

If there’s a blockage further down the line, then you’ll start to see the water taking longer and more so in your bathtub as you’ll be sending more water down.

Notice the water taking longer? Check locally first (U-bends and traps) and if you’re all clear there then you have a blockage further down the sewer line.

Gurgling or unusual sounds

Just like the above example, you’re probably not fine-tuned to listen for noises coming from your plumbing. Life’s too short for this type of information and learning, right? But once again you’d be wise to get used to listening out for this warning sign.

A gurgling sound or unusual draining noise is a big clue that you have some issues in your sewer pipes. This could be a number of things from a tree root (very common in old, clay pipes) to a build-up or blockage from foreign objects or cracks and collapses in a pipe.

If you hear your sink or bathtub gurgling, then pay attention to it. It’s a sure sign that you have something not right in your system, in the street, or further. A CCTV pipe inspection is the best place to start here to help you diagnose the problem.

Lacklustre toilets that need plunging often

Occasionally a toilet will get blocked. It’s just one of those things.

This can be for a number of reasons:

• Too much paper.
• Flushing non-flushable items.
• A small waste pipe.
• A small header tank.
• A rather large load (if you get what we’re saying!).

Occasional plunges are OK but if you’re well-acquainted with the plunger and you’re working together more than a few times a week then you have some bigger issues.

More clogs can indicate an issue further down the line and a toilet that needs constant plunging to push the water and waste away is a sign that the water and waste isn’t flowing in the sewer. It’s not a local issue – it’s a sewer issue.

You might have a grease build-up, a tree root or a collapsed drain. The best way to find out is a CCTV pipe inspection. If you’re plunging lots – give your local plumbing and drainage company a call.

Multiple blockages in your property

More than one block? Well that’s not normal and we’d be pretty confident to diagnose this as a sewer or waste pipe blockage. If your pipes are blocked locally (in the plumbing directly attached) then the sink, toilet, or bathtub will struggle to drain, but the others will drain just fine.

If you have a sink and a bathtub struggling to drain quickly then the waste pipe or the sewer pipe is probably blocked. This will cause all water drained into it to go slower or not at all.

If you see waste water coming into your bath when you flush then you certainly have a big problem. This is often beyond a little plunge or some off-the-shelf chemicals.

At first your plumbing will be OK, but once that block takes hold it’ll keep water in the pipes and the level will get closer and closer to your property. You’ll start to notice more and more problems before, eventually, the system is unusable and needs fixing right away. Urgent problems are more hassle for you to deal with.

Listen to the signs, watch for them, and take action.

Give us a call if your Colorado property needs a drains and sewer professional. Let us take a look and fix the problem before it gets worse.

If you’ve noticed any of the signs above then it’s highly likely you’ll need a professional. We’re happy to be that company.

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.

We’re often called out to clogs in drains and sewers that have built up over time. All of those clogs (with the exception of tree roots or leaks due to cracks) have come from the property itself.

Water flows away from the property, so the clog doesn’t come from the sewer, it comes from you. One of the best ways to avoid clogs is to be sure you’re careful what goes down your waste in the first place. But over time, a build-up can and will cause you to need to perform some maintenance.

Although not the greatest job you could wish for, these regular jobs will help you and your drains live a happier life!

Main sewer line clog

You’re responsible for the portion of underground sewer pipe that leads from your building to the main sewer line. Many home-owners don’t realize this and so are shocked when they’re told by utility companies. When a clog happens ‘on site’, not in the road or further away, it’s your issue to fix.

Although they will usually work perfectly well for years, carrying out drain or sewer maintenance is recommended once a year, to keep an eye on them and keep everything flowing the best way possible.

Washing machine clog

Inside your home, everything with a waste outlet can cause problems if it’s not maintained. Your washing machine and your dishwasher are no different. Both will have an outlet for the waste water and they will both have a U-bend and pipes to the rear, plus filters, and of course directions for proper use.

Take time to check and clean the filters and traps in your machines but also inspect the U-bend every few months. If you notice water is slow to drain or there’s an unusual smell, then get it checked out properly sooner rather than later.

Garbage disposal clog

By the very nature of the garbage disposal, your waste here will have food scraps and grease in it. This is a big cause of blockages to your pipes and you’re well-advised to keep an eye on the trap and plumbing for your garbage disposal to make sure it’s clean and clear.

Also make sure it’s working as well as it can to save larger waste getting lodged and building up in your waste pipes.

Sink U-bend

The U-bend is a clever little design and its aim is to keep the odours from coming back up the pipes into your home. The water that stays in the bend is replaced each time there’s a flush of water.

But the U-bend will eventually get clogged with bits of food, hair, and other items, so it’s worth your while to clean it and keep it in the best condition it can be. Ridges and grooves in the fittings will capture bits as they flow past and it might be the start of something that causes you more problems in time. Like all things, a bit of maintenance now can prevent bigger problems in future.

Floor drains

Floor drains in wet rooms, showers, or outside your property on the driveway can get clogged up from the top down. Often blockages will show no sign but once you see that water is taking time to drain away you know you have something not quite right.

Regularly check for hair or debris, especially in the fall with outside drains. Making sure you have a good drain cover outside will help, but you’ll need to clear it regularly.

Get a drain inspection once a year…

 To save experiencing problems, get a CCTV inspection booked in for your pipes once a year and arrange a thorough clean of them all. Your internal plumbing and drains will usually be fine with regular checks and cleans and will help you avoid bigger problems, but cracks and tree roots entering your system can and will happen, so be vigilant with regular checks and cleaning.

We professionally clean and maintain pipes in the Colorado area.

Just contact us today for a quote or call out.