Some underground plumbing failures cannot be cleared, patched, or lined from inside the pipe. When a sewer or drain line has collapsed, shifted out of alignment, lost its proper grade, or deteriorated beyond repair, excavation provides direct access to the damaged section.
Arnold & Sons provides plumbing excavation services for buried sewer and drain lines in Peoria and surrounding Central Illinois communities. Before digging, we always identify the exact nature of the problem and give you alternatives to digging, if there are any. We also always provide upfront pricing before work begins.
Have an underground plumbing problem? If so, call us or request an appointment online! Every project is backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee.
When Is Plumbing Excavation Necessary?
A backup alone does not prove that a pipe needs to be excavated. Grease, waste, mineral buildup, and some root obstructions can often be removed through cleaning. Excavation becomes more likely when inspection confirms physical damage that cannot be corrected from inside the line.
Arnold & Sons uses video inspection and locating equipment to determine where the problem begins and how much of the line is affected. This information helps limit excavation to the area required by the repair whenever conditions allow.
Sewer and Drain Excavation Services
Arnold & Sons provides excavation as part of our broader sewer services. The work may involve opening a focused section over localized damage or excavating a longer trench for complete replacement.
The appropriate approach depends on the pipe’s material, depth, condition, alignment, and location. Access limitations, nearby utilities, surface materials, and soil conditions must also be considered before excavation begins.
Excavation for Sewer Line Repair
A damaged sewer line does not always require complete replacement. If the remaining pipe is structurally sound, targeted excavation can expose the problem section for removal. Our sewer line repair services begin with identifying the exact location and extent of the failure. The damaged section can then be removed, new pipe installed, and the connections checked before the trench is backfilled.
Excavation for Sewer Replacement
Full excavation may be necessary when deterioration affects most of the lateral, the line has collapsed in several places, or improper grade prevents wastewater from flowing consistently. In these cases, repeatedly repairing individual sections may not provide dependable long-term performance.
Traditional sewer line replacement exposes the affected route so the failed pipe can be removed. The new line is installed on stable support, connected securely, inspected, and tested before backfilling.
Drain Excavation
Most household drain clogs do not require digging. Cabling, hydro jetting, or root-cutting equipment can resolve many obstructions without opening the ground. However, drain excavation may be appropriate when an underground building drain is broken, collapsed, severely corroded, or installed at an unusable grade.
Our Excavation Plumbing Process
When performing excavation plumbing service, Arnold & Sons follows a controlled process designed to locate the problem accurately, protect surrounding utilities, and leave the new or repaired line properly supported. Here’s an overview of that process.
- Inspect and locate the damaged pipe.
Video cameras show the pipe’s interior condition, while locating equipment identifies the underground position and depth of the affected section. - Plan the excavation area.
The pipe route, nearby utilities, access limitations, surface materials, and necessary project requirements are reviewed before digging begins. Existing utility lines are located and marked. - Open the work area.
Our sewer excavation contractors dig the trench needed to access the damaged plumbing. The size and depth depend on the line’s location, the extent of the damage, and safe working requirements. - Repair or replace the line.
Damaged piping is removed and the new section is installed on continuous, stable support. When PVC is used, properly prepared solvent-welded joints create watertight, root-resistant connections. - Set the correct drainage grade.
Underground drainage must maintain a uniform slope so gravity can carry wastewater without leaving solids behind. We set the drainage grade according to the Illinois Plumbing Code. - Inspect and test the completed work.
Connections, alignment, and flow are checked before the line is covered. Testing helps confirm that the repaired system is watertight and operating correctly. - Backfill and restore the surface.
The trench is filled with suitable supporting material to protect the pipe and reduce future settling. Removed sod, concrete, or other surface materials are restored according to the project scope.
How Central Illinois’ Climate and Soil Affect Our Approach
Local ground and weather conditions affect how underground plumbing behaves. Central Illinois soils vary by property, but clay-heavy ground can retain water and change volume as moisture levels rise and fall. Without stable bedding and careful backfilling, those forces can contribute to settling and pipe movement.
Cold winters add another concern. Buried piping must be installed and protected appropriately for local freezing conditions, while seasonal freeze-and-thaw cycles can place additional stress on already weakened lines.
Peoria’s established neighborhoods may also contain clay, cast-iron, or Orangeburg sewer laterals. These materials can crack, corrode, deform, or develop loose joints over time. Mature oak and maple roots then take advantage of openings that already exist.
Properties near the Illinois River or other low-lying areas may present higher groundwater conditions during wet periods. Pipe depth, soil stability, groundwater, utilities, and site access are therefore evaluated for the individual property rather than assumed from a citywide template.
Plan Ahead With the Arnold Advantage Club
The Arnold Advantage Club includes a main sewer evaluation that can help identify developing flow problems and recurring warning signs before an emergency occurs. Membership costs $12.99 per month and also includes priority service, no trip fee, and savings on eligible repairs.
