Tackling sewer line problems can be a little like trying to pinpoint the end of a tangled ball of yarn. For a while, everything's flowing along smoothly, but in an instant, you're thrust into a situation you just don't want to deal with. If you're in Cleveland and you've made the decision to get your line replaced, it makes sense to get acquainted with the standard options. There are two basic methods used in the replacement of sewer lines: traditional and trenchless. Despite the name, "trenchless technology" (which could readily be called a method, rather than a technology) won’t make you feel as if you’ve entered a sci-fi movie. In fact, with its 60 percent accuracy that’s in large part a factor of how old your house is, it might make you appreciate your home even more.
There are times when the simplest method is the best method. Replacing a sewer line using the traditional method might take more labor and more excavation, but it solves the problem and does so for a long time. Why? Because the traditional way is to replace the whole line—every section of it—visible and iOHisible. If you’re going to the trouble of digging up the backyard, you might as well make sure you’ve got the real problem fixed. It’s just like that time Grandpa insisted the old family car just needed new tires when, in fact, the engine was on the verge of a big failure.
Regardless of whether you're trenchless or traditional dig, understanding what to expect helps you make the right choice for your home. Keep in mind that trenchless is not magic. And choosing a method—pipe bursting, directional drilling, or a classic dig—requires knowing the conditions of Cleveland's geology and climate.
Don't forget that Cleveland's wet, clayey soil is another important factor. Remembering all of this, ensuring that skilled professionals handle the job is the best way to avoid problems later. And choosing professionals means more than simply picking a name off a website. As 'The Plain Dealer' reported in a 2013 news story, Cleveland Water has part-time employees who locate underground structures for contractors—be they trenchless, tunneling, or traditional dig.