Sewer

Sewer Services

Big Enough to Get The Job Done, Small Enough to Care

778-839-2040

Vancouver Sewer Separation Program

Property owners are responsible for the sewer lines on their property up to where they meet the municipality’s sewer connection(s). Depending on whether your area has separate or combined sewer mains, this means you will have either one or two sewer lines (“storm” or “sanitary”).

If you receive official notice of sewer separation work in your area, you will need to have this done to comply with new legislation.

Most municipalities now employ a sewer system in which storm water travels through different pipes than sewage in order to eliminate sewer overflows and to prevent flooding. However, some older systems still combine both rainwater and waste in a single sewer main. These older, combined sewer mains are being systematically replaced throughout the country. We are familiar with the new compliance regulations for sewer main replacement.

Sewer Drain Repair and Replacement

Sewer pipes that have been damaged by roots or are corroding due to age have to be repaired or replaced. Signs that your sewer lines are in need of attention include:

Slow shower or bathtub drainage
Gurgling noises when flushing toilets
Wet areas around floor drains after doing laundry

Some kinds of sewer pipe are more susceptible to this type of damage than others. The worst is clay tile pipe, commonly used in the Lower Mainland until the 1990's, with concrete being a close second. Modern PVC piping is much better as it requires fewer joints, is more flexible and less prone to degradation.

Repairing Tree-damaged Drains

This is one of the most expensive plumbing problems you might have to deal with, so having drainage problems diagnosed and repaired promptly is in your best interest. Emergency procedures include the use of a root saw to cut away invading roots followed by a high-pressure flush. However, this is a temporary measure as cutting tree roots encourages new growth and the openings in the drain pipe will still be there and will likely become larger.

The use of root-killing chemicals is not recommended – and is actually banned in many areas – for environmental reasons though a foaming herbicide can be pumped into drain pipes. This kills the roots it contacts and will inhibit new growth for a couple of years.

The best option when it comes to sewer service is to set up a video camera inspection which allows visual confirmation of the exact location and nature of the problem.

Once the nature of the damage is determined, we will explain your options. These include things like root extraction followed by an epoxy lining to seal and reinforce pipes. However, should your sewer pipes be badly broken they will have to be replaced.