If you have PVC sewer pipes in the ground, they will likely leak. Although PVC is durable, regular use can cause natural deterioration and cracks. This can lead to flooding your property or sewage backup into your home. If this happens, you’ll need to repair the damaged pipe as soon as possible.
Here are some tips on repairing PVC sewer pipes in the ground.
Find the Broken Pipe
To locate the damaged section of pipe, which is probably near any obvious evidence of damage, such as sinkholes or wet patches, you will first need to dig a hole into the earth. Once you’ve located the broken section of pipe, dig down behind it by another six inches. We’ll have greater room to maneuver as a result of this.
Split the Pipe Open
Cut on both sides to repair the broken section of the pipe. To cut the pipe more precisely, measure and mark it two inches on either side of the break. The materials used to construct the pipe will dictate the appropriate cutting equipment. The hacksaw will work on a lead pipe. If your pipes are cast iron, you should use a saw with a metal-cutting blade.
Create a New PVC Pipe Section
As a first step in installing a new PVC pipe, measure the length of the damaged section you cut out to estimate the size of the new pipe you’ll need to install. Leaks can occur if the new pipe is a different diameter than the old one. Then, connect the new section of PVC pipe to the old sections by inserting flexible rubber couplings into the pipe ends. Slide the new pipe portion over the old pipe, and slide the flexible couplings over both.
Seal the Hole
Put fine gravel around the pipe for support before filling in the hole.
What Materials Are Needed to Fix the Ground PVC Pipe?
Either Silicone Or Rubber Repair Tape
Hardware stores sell a variety of heavy-duty, thick, stretchy (gummy) tapes explicitly made for short-term PVC pipe repairs. You can apply much compression to the repair because these tapes expand while adhering to themselves.
Epoxy Repair
These are applied to the broken pipe part as instructed, letting the pipe idle while it firms up, and come in putty or liquid form.
Fiberglass Wrapping
In this case, utilize a fiberglass fabric that has already been saturated with resin. Again, this stopgap will only work for a short time.
Clamps And Rubber Hose
You can wrap some rubber hose around the broken pipes and tighten it down, compressing the rubber at both ends of the rubber hose and clamping it on both ends.
Conclusion
Contacting a professional is likely the most straightforward option for fixing PVC sewer or noisy PVC drain pipes. Repairing PVC pipes is now possible without breaking home slabs or uprooting gardens, thanks to advances in composite resin and trenchless plumbing technology. Contact Gray Plumbing today for more information about your PVC pipe repair options. We have advanced plumbing tools and technologies that make repairing your pipes fast, easy, and cost-efficient.
