The challenge
This project was to fix a customers sewer line that was backing up into her crawlspace. The main challenge was the sewer line was on a shared sewer where 4 homes used the same lateral line that went out to the main sewer, the lateral sewer line was under all of the homes under their crawlspaces. The sewer line was collapsed or broken under the neighbors crawlspace.
The work
Backlund Sewer Replacement – Project Summary
Contour Inc. was contacted by Dryco Restoration Services regarding a residential sewer issue after sewage had entered the client’s crawl space. Dryco initially completed the sewage cleanup; however, within approximately three days, an additional estimated 1,500 gallons of sewage had entered the crawl space.
Upon arrival, we investigated the sewer system and discovered a broken sewer pipe beneath the client’s crawl space. We repaired the damaged section, completed the necessary cleanup associated with our work, and attempted to camera the remaining sewer line to determine the source and extent of the problem.
During our investigation, we determined that the existing sewer was part of a shared lateral serving the client’s property and four neighboring homes. Further inspection indicated that the shared sewer line was broken or collapsed beneath a neighboring home, approximately four feet below the crawl space.
Because the sewer lateral was shared, sewage from the neighboring homes continued to flow through the line regardless of whether the client was using any water or plumbing fixtures. Due to the failed condition of the shared lateral, this sewage was able to back up into the client’s crawl space. This explained how approximately 1,500 gallons of sewage accumulated in the crawl space within only three days following the initial cleanup.
As an immediate measure to prevent additional sewage from the shared lateral from entering the home, Contour Inc. excavated down to the existing sewer connection entering the client’s crawl space and capped the line to completely isolate the property from the shared sewer system. The excavated area within the crawl space was then filled and sealed using clay and bentonite to help prevent sewage and contaminated water from migrating through the abandoned sewer opening and back into the crawl space.
Because a shared lateral is owned jointly by the homeowners it serves rather than by the city, repairing it at the point of failure required the neighboring homeowner’s approval to excavate beneath their crawl space. That approval was not granted, so repairing the existing sewer was not a viable option. The permanent solution therefore required abandoning the client’s connection to the shared lateral and installing a new, independent sewer service from the client’s home directly to the municipal sewer main located in the alley. Contour Inc. designed a new route for the replacement service.
A licensed plumber completed the necessary rerouting of the sewer piping within the crawl space. From that connection point, Contour Inc. installed a new 4-inch PVC sewer service extending from the residence to the sewer main in the alley.
The exterior work included removal of the necessary sidewalk sections, excavation of the sewer trench, installation and connection of the new 4-inch PVC sewer service, and completion of the required backfill and restoration.
Upon completion, all disturbed areas were restored as closely as practical to their pre-construction condition. The completed project provided the client with a new independent sewer service and permanently separated the residence from the failed shared lateral, eliminating the pathway that had allowed sewage from neighboring properties to back up into the client’s crawl space.
