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If you are a Tacoma local you may have noticed the commotion on S 56th St during the last couple days of March. What you might not have realized is that, while traffic was slowed for that block between Cushman and Sheridan, history was being made. Our team was working hard to orchestrate and complete Tacoma’s very first sewer pipe bore!

Pipe boring is the process of using a high powered drill to create a hole in which a new pipe can be pulled through, but there are a few steps that need to be taken before drilling can begin.

This is done through what is called “hydro excavation.” Hydro excavation uses a high powered jet of water, along with a vacuum to essentially “pothole” a specific area. This will expose any utility lines that may be present such as gas lines, water lines, or electrical conduit. It is required by the city that all utilities must be exposed before drilling.

In this particular case. We had an access hole about five feet deep on one end, and about ten feet deep in the street. This means that signs had to be placed (hence the slowed traffic) and concrete had to be cut out and removed. If you have never seen concrete removed from the middle of a main city road before, it is quite the sight.

In order for a sewer line to flow properly, it must be graded downward from the source. This means it must be installed at an angle. When you are working with long distances such as in pipe boring this requires the use of a grade rod, and builder’s level. The grade rod is somewhat like a measuring stick, and the builder’s level resembles a small spyglass. These are used to be sure when the drill goes through, it will go through at the proper angle.

Once all these things have been performed properly, we can begin to drill.

The process of actually getting the drill through the ground is extremely involved and tedious. First we must make sure we are able to locate the drill tip as it moves through the ground. This is done by inserting a small rod that sends a signal out to a locator. This way, we are able to measure the depth, direction, and angle of the drill head as it moves through the ground.

The person operating the locator, and the person operating the drill are in constant communication via headsets. That way, they know they are going to always be in the right place at the right time.

As the drill moves through, more rods are added to the machine. That way, we are able to reach our desired length of pipe.

In this particular case, after the hole was bored a cable was run back through the hole that was made. Because of this, we were able to pull a bursting head along with a new pipe through resulting in a brand-new sewer line.

This is especially exciting because of the possibilities of installing brand new sewer lines without having to trench at all. If you have any questions about pipe boring, or installation of new sewer lines feel free to contact us at (253) 331-1206 or click here to request appointment.

History In The Making: Witnessing Tacoma's First Sewer Pipe Bore

A sewer repair can be a daunting thing. No matter where you live, or who you are, no one wants to hear that they need to have work done on their sewer line. This being said, if you do a little research about the process of sewer repair in Tacoma, it can make this diagnosis seem a bit less daunting. Repairing a sewer line is definitely a huge task, so you need a plumber who is qualified for such a job. Aside from that, here are a few other things you might need to know.

1. SOMETIMES YOUR SEWER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED INSTEAD OF REPAIRED

If you have a leak or break in your line that cannot be located, your sewer may need to be completely replaced. The upside to this is that you know your new sewer line should last you about 50 years, or much longer. In some cases, replacing a sewer might even be cheaper than repairing it. This is especially true for breaks in extremely hard to reach areas.

2. THERE IS MORE THAN ONE OPTION AVAILABLE

Choosing the right repair option all depends on how bad the problem area is, and where it is located in the sewer line. Our consultants here at Harts are experienced enough to be able to give you a few options, and let you weigh the pros and cons of each one.

3. SPOT FIXES, PIPE BURSTING, AND PIPE LINING ARE ALL OPTIONS

When our consultants come out to you for a free estimate, they will be able to weigh the situation and suggest the right method of repair that best suit your needs.

4. SOMETIMES YOUR ENTIRE HOME NEEDS TO BE REPIPED

In Tacoma, there are a lot of old homes, which means, there are a lot of old sewers. When these homes were built, cast iron, clay, and orangeburg were all completely viable pipe materials. As we know today, these materials do not hold up very well. By today’s standards, pipes should be made of either PVC or HDPE pipe. If your system is having constant problems, it may be recommended that your entire system be replaced with up-to-date piping.

5. DIFFERENT MATERIALS MAY BE USED DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION

Sometimes more than one material is needed, or is just possible to use on one job. This is especially true for sewer systems that are encased in a concrete slab.

6. YOU SHOULD ONLY HIRE AN EXPERIENCED PLUMBER WHEN DEALING WITH BIGGER JOBS

A sewer repair is not a job for the faint of heart, nor is it a job for a beginner. A sewer repair or replacement is definitely not a starter job, so you should be sure that the plumber you are hiring is completely experienced. Here at Harts, our consultants are fully trained to take on even the biggest sewer repair jobs, and will be able to properly diagnose and resolve any sewer issues you may have.

If you suspect that you may need a sewer repair or replacement, don’t hesitate to give us a call. You can also schedule a free estimate by clicking here to request an appointment.

6 Tips About Sewer Repair In Tacoma WA

A failed or backed-up sewer line is a huge problem that nobody wants to deal with. Suddenly, plans get canceled, showers become a thing of the past, and your wallet gets lighter. As frustrating as this situation is, we here at Harts try to make it a little easier for you by providing a free estimate for repair or replacement. While this seems like a somewhat crazy thing to do on our part, there are a few different reasons why this is our policy.

If there is one thing, you can say is consistent about sewer lines, it’s that they are not at all consistent. Every single sewer line is different. Whether it’s the material, they are made of, or the way they are laid out, you never really know what you’re going to run into when you go to check out a sewer line. When a sewer issue arises at your Tacoma home, you want to be sure that you have someone on your side who won’t waste your time or money. By giving you a free estimate we can accomplish exactly that.

You don’t need a plumber coming out and wasting your time, and money trying to upsell you, or diagnose problems you don’t actually have. We understand that plumbing problems are already an inconvenience for you, and we don’t want to inconvenience you further by charging you for a diagnosis. Here at Harts, we aim to deliver a quick and easy assessment of your situation so you are able to take the proper preparations, and make the right decisions for yourself without having to worry about your pocket book.

3. IT HELPS US TO BUILD A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU!

Our customers are the most important thing to us. That is why when we get a call from anyone who is experiencing plumbing issues, we make a point to come out and meet with them personally. Face to face, interactions are something that is often missed nowadays, so we want to make sure you know that we are real people who are sympathetic to whatever issues or needs you may have. When you call us with a problem, we make it our mission to get it diagnosed and taken cared of in the best way possible. We find that the human touch of actually having someone talk to you in person accomplishes this to the fullest.

All in all, a free estimate is our way of showing you that we care enough to come out and give you an honest assessment of your situation. Schedule your free estimate today by clicking here to request a service, and we will have one of our consultants out to you in no time!

Three Reasons We Do Free Sewer Estimates

When it comes to buying a home in Tacoma, there are any number of things you might be initially attracted to. Maybe it’s the view of the shipping docks, or the dome looming in the distance. Maybe it’s the historic nature of the neighborhoods, or the salty bay air.

While you’re admiring the surroundings of your new-found home, you are failing to realize what is happening under your feet. That sewer line running under your home can either be a blessing or the most expensive kind of curse.

Sewer repair can be extremely costly, so when it comes time to make that leap you want to know exactly what you’re getting yourself into. Here at Harts Plumbing we use only the most modern methods of trenchless sewer repair. Let’s examine a few reasons you might choose trenchless sewer repair over other more traditional methods.

1. TRENCHLESS SEWER REPAIR REQUIRES FEWER WORKERS

A large majority of plumbing companies will bill you according to how many workers are on site, and how many hours they work. With more traditional methods of sewer repair, you are bound to have a large group of workers around your property.

The reason for this is because digging and trenching up a whole pipe takes quite a few man hours, which ultimately requires more people.

Trenchless sewer repair requires only two or three people on-site at all times, without the need to dig up the entire pipe.

More traditional methods of sewer repair are always the slower option. A lot of time and resources in this process will be used digging up the pipe and locating the problem in the first place. That means trenches will have to be dug just to locate the problem before any actual work can be done to fix it.

With trenchless pipe repair, very little digging is required. Usually, there is a small hole dug at each end of the line to provide access for the proper equipment. The time taken to dig these holes and complete the job is much faster compared to more traditional methods of sewer line repair.

In Tacoma, the majority of pipes into the ground are extremely historic. Some of them are even the original lines from when the city was first built. This means there are sewer lines made of concrete, clay, cast iron, or even the dreaded Orangeburg pipe. All of these materials are extremely unreliable and prone to cracking, breaking, or even full-on collapse.

Trenchless pipe repair uses high-quality pipes that are seamless and resistant to root intrusions. These pipes are also resistant to corrosion and rusting, which means your sewer will work better and last longer.

4. TRENCHLESS SEWER REPAIR OFFERS IMPROVED FUNCTIONALITY

The type of historic piping that runs throughout the city of Tacoma is typically a smaller diameter than those used today. This is because when these sewer systems were installed, it increased population and city growth was not taken into account. This has ultimately compromised the flow rate and functionality of these sewer lines.

The larger diameter, and seamless nature of a new trenchlessly installed pipe will improve the functionality of your sewer system overall. An improved flow rate means sewage is directed away from your home at a faster pace, ultimately making your environment cleaner and safer.

5. TRENCHLESS SEWER REPAIR IS A CLEANER METHOD THAN MORE TRADITIONAL ONES

Every home has a sewer, and most homeowners work hard to make sure their yards are well manicured and appealing to the public eye. If a sewer problem arises, and you do not want to destroy your yard or the area around it, you should opt for a trenchless repair.

Trenchless sewer repair is the only way to fix your pipes without destroying everything on top of them.

Ultimately you should research and look into why trenchless repair is right for you. If you have any questions, or are interested in getting your old outdated pipes replaced or repaired, click here to request an appointment, and we will send someone out to you right away!

Top 5 Reasons to Use Trenchless Sewer Repair

Anything you need to keep water flowing through your home or business facility, our plumbing company can handle it! Why do any of the dirty work yourself when there are skilled, experienced sewer pipe experts right in your backyard? Our company provides sewer pipe repair, maintenance, and installation, as well as 

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Customer service and answered the phone was pleasant and helpful. Person who came on site to discuss the work was thorough, gave great advice, and made suggestions for future planning.

Hart's Services got here about 3 hours after calling them. Very courteous and helpful with going over my options for all of my plumbing needs. They are getting our emergency repair work completed for a reasonable rate.

Very friendly, very knowledgeable. Made replacing my whole sewer line as painless as possible.

Quality Plumbing Services in the Tacoma Area

At Harts Services, our #1 priority is your utmost satisfaction. We won’t just show up at your location and provide easy fixes that will eventually come undone, causing you more aggravation and costing you more money. Our plumbers provide lasting results at affordable prices, holding themselves to the highest standard for excellence in every job they undertake. We also offer peace of mind inspections, maintenance plans, and customer education to ensure complete peace of mind today and in the future.

When Others Say They Can't, We Say We Can!

Harts has amazing customer service and responded promptly to our plumbing emergency! Chris has been to our home in the past and is very knowledgeable and professional. Harts is a great local company to work with.

I was so happy to finally get my faucets outside my house fixed. Anytime I turned them on they dripped, dripped, dripped. Now I have frost free hose bibs and no drips! Thanks Harts!

Harts Services is a very professional company. We called because our sewer was backing up into our home and they had someone at our house within the hour.

Fast service, excellent follow-up, and Tim who performed the service was excellent and easy to work with. Will definitely use again if needed.

Thank you Chris McAlister from Harts Services. The service was professional, quick but thorough. Thank you

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