Sewer pipe repair without dismantling

The sewer system in an apartment or house must function properly. By conducting periodic inspections and taking preventive measures against breakdowns, it is possible to achieve trouble-free operation of structural elements. But sometimes abnormal situations do happen. It is worth knowing how to repair sewer pipes without opening and dismantling.

Required tools and materials

To restore damaged sections of the sewage system, it is worth stocking up on the necessary tools:

• paint brush;
• metal brush or sandpaper;
• hacksaw;
• construction knife.

In addition, it is advisable to have the following materials on hand:

• construction glue;
• cement;
• liquid glass;
• solvent or degreaser;
• a bandage or tape made of fabric;
• clamps or wire;
• rubber.

These tools and materials are enough to cover the joint at the leak or repair a burst pipe. For overhaul, it is worth purchasing pipes and fittings.

Causes of sewer pipe breakdowns

The main types of sewage breakdowns are leaks. They usually occur at the joints of structural parts, sometimes along the element itself.

Leakage reasons:

• High load on a single part. This usually happens when the system is clogged. The increased pressure within the structure leads to damage in the weakest areas. The system can be restored to normal operation by mechanical or chemical cleaning.
• Freezing of structures in winter also leads to malfunction. Often parts used outdoors are affected by this. But accidents also happen inside buildings. When water freezes, it expands. The ice plug is capable of rupturing the material of pipes or fittings.
• Poor quality parts or improper installation of the structure also lead to the destruction of individual elements. This requires replacement of gaskets or repair of pipes and fittings.

Depending on the scale of the damage, urgent or major repairs of the sewerage system are required.

Urgent pipe repair

Cast iron structures are often found in the old foundation. Breakdowns in such highways are not uncommon. In this case, it is difficult to replace a separate part. Leaks in cast iron pipelines are sealed with sealing means.

Often used to coat the leak with construction glue and cement.

1. Remove rust from metal parts with a wire brush.
2. The place of processing is degreased.
3. A layer of construction glue is applied with a brush.
4. Cement is poured on top.

Several more layers are made in the same way. Then you need to dry the cement-glue patch. This method is effective for small leaks. In more serious cases, it is worth trying another recovery option.

1. Pre-treatment of metal parts.
2. The cement is diluted with water, liquid glass is added.
3. The resulting solution is impregnated with a bandage.
4. The material is wrapped around the leak in 5-6 layers.
5. The structure is treated from above with silicate glue.

There are several ways to perform urgent repairs of plastic pipes without dismantling:

• Using sealants - a dried and degreased crack is covered with a waterproof agent.
• With the help of special tapes - the damaged area is wrapped with material in 2-3 layers.
• Using rubber and clamps - a rubber pad is placed in the place of the leak. At the edges it is fastened with clamps.
• By soldering.

It is possible to seal a leak in a plastic sewer pipe in a more radical way. For small ones, couplings are used.

1. A damaged piece of plastic is cut out with a hacksaw.
2. The edges of the pipe are cleaned of dirt and degreased.
3. Sandpaper to create a rough surface.
4. Glue or sealant is applied to the ends of the elements.
5. Put on the clutch.

Cracks larger than 10 cm are repaired using two couplings and a piece of pipe. The repair technology is identical to the installation of one fitting.

Major overhaul

If water runs through the joints in a building with plastic drainage, it is not necessary to dismantle the entire system. It is possible to eliminate leaks in the joints of sewer pipes with the help of a major overhaul of the structure. To do this, there are the following ways:

• Inserting smaller pipes into existing networks. To do this, you do not need to open the sewer pipeline.
• Restoration of the integrity of pipes using a flexible liner from a textile stocking, which is impregnated with epoxy resin. Thus, a new waterproof structure is created inside the old pipelines.

The use of new technologies makes it possible to repair old highways outside and inside the building without excavating trenches and dismantling the sewage system.

Sewerage repair on the top floors of buildings has some peculiarities. An air cushion of waste gases is formed here. They are removed from the system through the sewer ventilation pipe. For this reason, the repair of damage is carried out with careful sealing. Otherwise, gases from the sewage system will flow into the living quarters.

Common mistakes when repairing a sewer system

The most common mistakes when installing and repairing a drainage structure are the following points:

• During installation, choose the wrong pipe slope. This leads to disruptions in the operation of the entire structure. A large angle of inclination contributes to the gradual settling of solid particles on the inner surface of parts, which are not completely washed off with water. Insufficient slope can cause silting of the pipeline and the formation of plugs.
• Poor sealing of the joints of various parts quickly leads to the need for repair work.
• Often the lack of revisions and ventilation of the sewage system leads to malfunctions - they are simply removed during repairs in the house.

To restore the operability of the sewer system, you should not use corrugated pipes instead of siphons. They clog faster and are more difficult to clean.

Preventive measures against sewage breakdowns

In order not to have to eliminate breakdowns and malfunctions in the sewer system, it is worth taking preventive measures in advance.

• It is necessary to buy high-quality products with the required technical characteristics.
• When installing individual parts, special attention should be paid to the joints. They need to be well sealed.
• Parts of the drainage system that are operated at low temperatures are subject to insulation. Foamed polyethylene or foam sheath is used here.

A properly installed drainage system made of quality materials can last a long time and reliably. If necessary, you can repair the sewer pipes yourself without opening the structure.