How Terracotta Sewer Pipe Repair Helps Future-Proof Your Home Plumbing

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer still getting settled into your new place or a seasoned homeowner with roots firmly planted in your dream home, it’s important to take stock of your home’s plumbing. For example, when were the sewer and drain pipes last serviced? How long ago were your home’s sewer lateral and pipelines installed? Perhaps most importantly, what material are your pipes made of? Knowing what’s beneath the surface allows you to plan ahead and be prepared for upcoming maintenance needs if the home’s pipes have been neglected for some time.

Terracotta (i.e., clay) drain pipes, in particular, pose unique challenges for homeowners. These aging sewer pipes have been popular for decades, dating back to ancient civilizations that are credited for establishing the world’s first sewer systems on record. If your home has terracotta plumbing, your pipelines have likely been exposed to decades of wear and tear and may be due for an upgrade before they deteriorate beyond repair.

How old are terracotta (clay) drain pipes?

Terracotta drain pipes were first used in 4000 BCE when ancient Babylonia established community plumbing systems. Clay sewer pipes were widely used in the U.S. through the 1970s, when more structurally secure materials like PVC started replacing aging terracotta pipes.

Clay has staying power as a sewer pipe solution, but if you’re doing the math, today’s youngest terracotta sewer pipes are already pushing 50 years old. Terracotta drain pipes in use today have greatly evolved from the original design in Babylonia, but there are still limits to terracotta’s longevity as a sewer pipeline material.

How long do clay sewer pipes last?

Clay sewer pipes remain functional for 50 to 60 years on average, but the quality and efficiency of your home plumbing may deteriorate as time goes on. Most clay pipes were installed decades ago and are likely nearing the end of their lifespan.

Clay-based terracotta drain pipes must be installed through a precise process that limits its ability to sustain wear and tear after prolonged use. Pipe sections are created in the shape of a large bell, with the narrower end attaching to the larger bell section to form the sewer line. Mortar seals the joints and holds it all together. Over time, ground movement and the shifting earth create holes and cracks that eventually break the clay pipes, disabling the sewer line and causing plumbing emergencies. These inherent issues can be exacerbated if homeowners misuse plumbing fixtures by flushing or draining items that aren’t meant to go into pipelines, like grease and wet wipes, causing clogs or blockages.

Even if you’re careful and avoid flushing nonflushable materials, terracotta drain pipes are particularly weak against naturally occurring tree root intrusion. Roots of trees or nearby shrubs can easily take hold of a terracotta pipe. As the root grows, it forms a conduit that transfers groundwater, soil and other materials, creating a sinkhole surrounding the pipe. Clay cracks or collapses under this sustained pressure, putting your home plumbing at risk.

Signs Your Terracotta Drain Pipes Are Failing

The problem with old pipes is you’ll ultimately spend more time and money if you neglect them and ignore the plumbing issues that pop up over time. The good thing is that there are noticeable signs you can watch out for to determine the state of your sewer lines. Some of the most common symptoms of a failing sewer pipe include:

• Foul sewer odors surrounding your yard, basement or bathroom sinks and toilets (typically a sign of slow-flowing or blocked sewage)
• Unusual gurgling sounds when using the drain or flushing a toilet (indicating poor water flow)
• Frequent sewage backups in toilets, tubs and drains (pointing to a larger issue with your sewer line rather than a simple clog)

If you suspect an issue within your terracotta drain pipes, get in touch with a sewer repair company you can trust to provide an honest assessment of your pipelines and determine whether or not clay sewer pipe repair is needed.

How to Repair Cracked Clay Sewer Pipes Without Disturbing Your Home

To avoid damage to your yard or home, seek professionals specializing in trenchless sewer line repair for various materials, including clay or terracotta drain pipes. Trenchless terracotta sewer pipe repairs restore the structure of existing pipes without needing to dig up the pipeline and replace it. Trenchless techniques are faster, more budget-friendly and minimally invasive compared to traditional methods that require digging around the pipeline. One popular no-dig solution is pipe relining for cracked clay sewer pipes to strengthen the existing structure.

Can terracotta sewer pipes be relined?

Relining is a smart solution for terracotta pipe repair. Professionals install custom epoxy liners into pipes through a small access point. The liner bonds to the pipe interior, essentially forming a new pipe within the old.

Before relining a clay sewer pipe, an inspection is typically conducted by inserting a camera into your sewer line to locate the issue. This allows professionals to make an informed recommendation for next steps, including clay pipe sewer line repair if applicable.

When does relining work for clay sewer pipes?

Pipe lining is an effective terracotta sewer pipe repair solution for most concerns, adding another 50 years to pipelines by sealing cracked sewer pipes and securing damaged joints. However, pipe liners can only be placed on intact structures, so pipes with structural damage or collapse don’t qualify. In these instances, professionals may turn to other trenchless sewer repair techniques.

Replacing Clay Sewer Pipes Without Digging

Professionals perform a trenchless technique known as pipe bursting to replace damaged sewer pipes without digging up lawns or driveways. This method uses a hydraulic machine equipped with a “bursting” mechanism to pull a new pipe forward into the old pipe, causing the old pipe to break apart while simultaneously inserting the new one. Instead of an invasive trench, pipe bursting for clay sewer pipe repair enables a pipe replacement through just two small access points.

At CME Sewer Repair, we install the latest and greatest high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes for more seamless, jointless and durable sewer line performance against issues like cracking, corrosion and tree root invasion. Even better, our new pipes are expected to last 50 years or more for uninterrupted home plumbing.

Why Homeowners Trust CME for Trenchless Terracotta & Clay Pipe Sewer Line Repair in the Midwest

CME Sewer Repair has the expertise, experience and equipment to repair trenchless terracotta pipe and replace clay sewer pipes without digging up or damaging property. We provide sewer line repair and cleaning services for homeowners in the Midwest, including Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Missouri. Our technicians have encountered various pipeline issues and worked to apply our trenchless techniques to a variety of pipe materials, including cast iron, clay, concrete and Orangeburg. When you need your home plumbing back up and running the way it should be, CME is here to help with clay pipe sewer line repair solutions to bring new life to your pipelines.

Having Trouble with Your Terracotta Drain Pipes? Contact CME for Reliable Clay Sewer Pipe Repairs

Whether you’re contending with a cracked clay sewer pipe, tree roots in your terracotta drain pipes or a structural collapse, CME is your trusted sewer line repair professional to diagnose and treat the issue. Contact us to learn more about how trenchless terracotta and clay sewer pipe repair can benefit your home.

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