FAQs
Our Company
What is Invisible Excavations’ service area?
Does Invisible Excavations have a payment program?
Diagnosing Sewer Line Problems
Is the sewer line leading away from my home my responsibility, even if the broken part is under the city street or sidewalk?
How often should I have my sewer line inspected?
We also recommend having sewer lines inspected prior to a kitchen or bathroom renovation or addition to ensure the new system can handle the additional flow.
Just like with other home systems, regular maintenance can help to prevent unwanted problems. Periodic cleaning of sewer lines can help to prevent clogs or backups. Grease, hair, food and other debris can gradually build up over time and cause a backup. Environmental factors, such as shifting ground or tree roots can also cause pipe leaks or backups.
What are the signs of a broken sewer pipe?
• Slow Drains
• Blocked or Backed up Drains
• Foul Smells
• Gurgling Ppipes
• Pooling Water
• Mold
• Increased Rodents or Insects
If any of these warning signs appear, you should have your sewer lines inspected by an expert right away to avoid more costly future repairs.
There's a terrible smell coming out of my drains, but everything still seems to be woking properly. What could be wrong?
Sewer Line Break or Backup
Grease, hair, food and waste can naturally build up and cause blockage over time. Similarly, if tree roots start growing into the sewer line, they can trap grease, food and waste instead of allowing them to flow smoothly down and out.
Infrequent Use of Drain
Your home is designed with pipes that vent sewer gases out the top of your house. If a sink or drain is not used frequently, the P-Trap under the drain lacks enough water to block sewer gas from escaping. Without enough water, the sewer gas seeps back through the line into the house instead of up and out the roof as it should.
To uncover what exactly is causing the odor and how to best eliminate it, you should call a plumber to schedule a sewer camera inspection.
I've already had a video pipe inspection of my sewer line. Can you use it?
Not only do we want to provide you with a fair and honest estimate, but also we want to ensure that the problem is correctly diagnosed. Most video inspections from conventional plumbing companies do not meet the criteria that we need to make an accurate assessment.
We are more than happy to review your existing video and let you know what additional information we need.
Fixing Sewer Line Problems
How much does trenchless sewer line repair cost?
In most cases; however, trenchless sewer line repair costs are considerably less expensive than traditional sewer line repairs that require digging. The trenchless pipe lining process is much less intrusive, so you won’t have to spend as much in repairs to your home or yard – repairs that are often required with traditional methods.
How long does trenchless sewer line repair take?
Using Trenchless Technology
How long do sewer lines last?
However, the integrity of the sewer line and overall system depends on a number of variable factors including:
- How and when the pipe was originally installed
- How the ground has shifted over time
- What surrounds the sewer system, i.e. tree roots
Most homes over 40 years old have sewer lines made of clay or iron, which degenerate much more quickly than newer technologies.
The trenchless sewer repair and replacement methods used by Invisible Excavations guarantee that your new sewer line will last over 50 years.
How long do cured in place pipes last?
The cured in place pipe will not corrode and is resistant to deposits from water by-products. The cured in place pipe does not have any fittings – it is one piece – which makes it resistant to tree root invasion (tree roots usually work their way in through cracks in pipe fittings).
Can any sewer be lined using the trenchless technology?
There are; however, two other trenchless methods that may be used when CIPP is not an option: trenchless pipe bursting and directional drilling.
We start every job by completely inspecting the sewer line with a video camera, so that we can accurately diagnose the problem and discuss the possible repair or replacement options with you.
How long of a sewer line can be lined with the CIPP trenchless technology?
What materials are used in trenchless sewer repair and replacement?
- Corrosion resistant
- Leak resistant
- Root infestation resistant
For trenchless pipe bursting and directional drilling, we install HDPE pipe. The benefits of this material include:
- Corrosion resistant
- Leak resistant
- Scale and biological build-up resistant
- High strain allowance, virtually eliminating breakage due to freezing temperatures
- Flexibility requires fewer fittings
Can you shoot the CIPP liner through fittings?
Covering More Than Sewers
Can you fix water or pool lines?
Yes, Invisible Excavations does more than trenchless sewer line repair and replacement. Call us today to see how we can best help you: 216-741-5131.
Sewer Pipe Inspections
Is a sewer line inspection part of a home inspection?
A sewer inspection is one of the most important components of a home inspection, regardless if you’re a first-time or seasoned buyer. The bottomline is: sewer line inspections are relatively inexpensive, but sewer repairs can be very expensive.
What is a CCTV pipe inspection?
The CCTV cameras are inserted through existing sewer entry points and can fit in pipes anywhere from 1-1/2” to 72” in diameter. Using special software, the camera can relay a full, precise picture of a sewer pipe – including the pipe’s condition and any damages in the pipe.
How much does a sewer pipe inspection cost?
How long does a sewer inspection take?
Is a sewer line inspection necessary?
Drain & Sewer Line Cleaning
How do you maintain sewer lines?
Maintain a sewer line by:
- Never pouring grease or cooking oil down a drain.
- Using enzymatic cleaners every month.
- Being mindful of what you’re putting down your drains.
- Putting new lines in if your sewer lines are old or are invaded by plant roots.
- Ensuring your lines are clear, not getting clogged with plant roots and are damage-free via a video pipe inspection from a professional plumber once a year.
How often should sewer lines be cleaned?
How do I find my main sewer line cleanout?
Most cleanout pipes have a square knob or indentation on the top. Look for a pipe that is sticking out of the ground outside your home – usually between the foundation and the street. A lot of homes have the cleanout on the side of the home, closest to the bathroom.
If you’re still having trouble locating it, a professional plumber can help you locate your main sewer line cleanout.
How do I unclog my main sewer line?
What can I pour down a drain to unclog it?
Instead, you can try pouring the following down your drain to unclog it:
- Boiling water
- Dish soap and hot water
- Baking soda and vinegar
- Baking soda and salt
- Salt, borax, and vinegar
If these methods don’t prove effective, you may have a bigger clog lurking. Call a professional plumber to remove the clog before it disrupts your home’s plumbing system.
How effective is hyrdo jetting?
Hydro jetting will completely clean out your pipes and is more effective than snaking (as drain snakes only break up clogs but leave any build up on pipe walls).
It must be noted that hydro jetting is only recommended to be done by a professional plumber.
Does hydro jetting work on roots?
Water Lines
What are the signs of a possible water line leak?
- A sudden spike or gradual increase in water usual without any rhyme or reason.
- Large puddles of water in the yard.
What does it cost to have a water line repaired or replaced?
- Access to the water line
- Depth of the water line
- Type of pipe
Our team can access your situation and provide a more accurate quote.
Can I fix my water line myself?
Sump Pumps
How many years does a sump pump last?
How often should you replace your sump pump?
If you don’t know the age of your sump pump, it’s important to have it inspected, cleaned, and/or maintained. From there, the licensed plumber you hired can tell you if it needs replaced.
Some signs you need to replace your sump pump include:
- It’s making strange noises
- It vibrates excessively when running
- It runs all the time
- It has irregular cycling
- It runs for a long time
- There is visible rust
- It is between the ages of 7-10 years old
What causes a sump pump to fail?
- The sump pump is the wrong size
- Installation wasn’t done correctly
- The pump has a mechanical issue with the switch
- The pump has received little to no maintenance
- There are frozen or clogged discharge lines
- There is a product defect
Should sump pumps run all the time? What do I do if my sump pump keeps running?
Try to:
- Unplug the sump pump.
- Clear the pit of obstacles like rocks or dirt.
- Move the float to ensure it can move up and down freely.
- Move the sump pump to the center of the pit.
- Plug the sump pump back in to see if it still runs constantly.
If your pump is still running all the time, it’s time to call a licensed plumber for professional help.
How does a sump pump battery backup work?
How many hours does a sump pump battery backup last?
A good representation is if you have a 40-amp/hour battery and it’s projected to last up to 53 hours. But, if the water issue is serious enough, the pump may need to run once a minute. This will drain the battery sooner and only last about 12 hours.
Find the best battery backup for your home’s needs and your comfort level.
How often should you replace a sump pump battery?
Can you add a battery backup to an existing sump pump?
Essentially, the sump pump will need to be plugged into the battery backup unit and permanent battery cables will need to be wired from your battery into the unit.
Basement Waterproofing
Can you waterproof a basement from the inside?
How do I stop my basement from seeping water?
Interior waterproofing methods do not typically address underlying, root causes of moisture and water, as these are usually found on the outside. So, with extensive seepage issues, exterior waterproofing is usually the most effective way to waterproof a basement, block water from entering your basement, and prevent water from causing damage to the foundation structure.
How long does basement waterproofing last?
How much does it cost to waterproof your basement?
On average, basement waterproofing sealants and epoxies are fairly low cost when applied by a professional.
Extensive exterior basement waterproofing projects can cost thousands, depending on many factors.
Does insurance cover basement waterproofing?
Storm Drains
What causes storm drains to back up?
- The storm drain systems around your home couldn’t handle the large amounts of water
- There’s a clog in your storm drain or sewer pipe
- Roots have invaded your storm drain or sewer pipe
What are signs a storm drain needs repaired or cleaned?
- Leak water into the surrounding soil
- Display a buildup of water and be very slow to drain
- Flood basements, nearby roads or parking areas
How do you clean a storm drain?
How often should storm drains be cleaned?
Frozen Pipes
Why do pipes freeze?
What are signs of frozen pipes?
- Strange smells from the faucet or drain
- Decrease in water pressure
- Lack of running water or very little running water
- Water is not at the right temperature
- Frost on pipes
How do you thaw frozen pipes?
- Locating the frozen pipe(s)
- Opening the faucets
- Beginning the thawing process by thawing closest to the faucet and working your way toward the blockage
Be sure to read more information about these tips on our frozen pipe repair page.
Resources/BLOG
Do I really need professional drain cleaning at my home?
The top 4 places where your drains may become an issue Drains are an essential part of our homes and buildings, providing a way for water to flow...
Do You Know the Benefits of Hydro Jet Sewer Line Cleaning?
Hydro jet sewer line cleaning is a highly effective and efficient method of clearing out clogged or blocked sewer lines. This method uses...
Top 5 Reasons that Sewer Line Cleaning is Essential
The sewer pipe running from your home or small business to a municipal sewer line or septic tank is the most important pipe that needs to function...
Trenchless NO DIG Solution