When California Plumbing’s technicians arrived at a home with a leaking toilet, there was a clear sense of urgency. 

Before springing into action, our technician inspected the toilet and provided the client with information, offering various options to replace the wax ring or flange. A wax ring is a seal placed between the base of the toilet and the flange attached to the waste pipe, which carries waste to the sewer. This seal is crucial for preventing water, waste, gasses, and other materials from leaking or escaping at the connection between the toilet and the waste pipe. Over time, however, the wax ring of a toilet can weaken, losing its watertight seal. 

When our technician removed the toilet, a soft clog backup was discovered to be the cause of the damage to the wax ring, which had burst under pressure. We recommended a camera inspection, which the client agreed to in order to determine the state of their pipes. 

A camera inspection is performed by a plumber with a flexible cable fed through plumbing pipes, which captures video footage of the interior of the pipes. Camera inspection uncovered collapsed lines and undermining throughout the entire sewer line, spanning across the front of the house and 20 ft into the dwelling.

Pipe Bursting: Trenchless Pipe Replacement

In the front lawn, 25 feet of old cast iron pipes needed to be replaced. On Day 1, we dug to expose the cleanouts and 45-degree fittings at both ends of the pipe. On Day 2, we cut the cast iron pipe and used our pipe bursting machine to install a new 3-inch SDR plastic pipe, pulling the new plastic pipe through the old cast iron pipe, breaking it apart in the process. Pipe bursting is “a method of correcting pipe deficiencies with less disturbance, economic impact, and environmental degradation, and they require less restoration than the traditional dig-and-replace method.” Also known as “trenchless” pipe replacement, this method of pipe rehabilitation is far less invasive into the soil and more cost efficient than dig-and-replace methods. Pipe bursting should not be performed by anyone inexperienced or unlicensed, as there are many ways in which DIY trenchless piping can go wrong.

Once the new plastic pipe was in place, our technicians connected it to the existing pipes with new fittings and bands. We also replaced a small section of cast iron pipe beyond the 45-degree fitting and connected it to a good section of the existing cast iron pipe.

With new pipes installed and connected to solid sections of the previous pipes, our restoration was not complete without thoroughly testing for leaks and clearing clogs using specialized equipment. Our technicians used a descaling machine to clean and remove most of the scale that had clogged the existing pipes. We then used a hydrojetting machine to further remove scale and wash debris out of the pipes and into the city sewers. 

We performed a camera inspection through the pipes for a final inspection. We backfilled all of the holes that had been dug, washed the turf clean, and set all river rocks and mulch back to how they were. 

California Plumbing provides comprehensive plumbing services to homes in San Diego and Chula Vista and beyond. If you have leaks in your home or any questions about pipe repairs and restoration, consult with us today. 

Call Us Today: (619) 747-3443

Email Us: info@californiaplumbingsd.com