When a water line underground stops working, there’s no way around it. The only options are accessing the pipe and repairing or replacing it.
Here are the benefits of choosing Mr. Mike’s Plumbing for your water line excavation project:
Water line excavation is digging down to reach a damaged section of pipe to inspect, repair or replace it. It’s not a small project, but when done right by experienced excavating contractors, the problem is easy to solve. Mr. Mike’s Plumbing is proud to provide excavation services across Calgary, Alberta, for residential and commercial properties. Our licensed plumbers and excavation contractors do it all including the initial inspection, excavation, repair or sewer line replacement and site restoration. Contact us to get started.
Water line excavation is the digging down to access a buried water line to inspect, repair or replace it. The line, also known as the water main or water service line, is the underground pipe that connects your home or business to the municipal water supply. When it cracks, corrodes, freezes or sustains damage from tree root intrusion or ground movement, the only way to fix it is to physically access it.
Usually, it involves digging a trench along the path of the pipe to expose the damaged section. In Calgary, contractors have to locate all underground utility lines before digging. Our team follows this process to avoid damaging gas, electrical or telecommunications infrastructure during the excavation.
Some water line problems don’t need excavation. That said, here are times when digging is the right call:
A cracked or failed water line can release large amounts of water underground before it surfaces as a wet spot in the yard, a drop in water pressure or an unexpected water bill spike. When there’s a leak in the underground section of the water line, excavation is required to access and repair the damaged pipe. Left unaddressed, it can lead to ongoing water loss, damage the foundation and cause surrounding soil instability.
When there’s significant buildup, a partial collapse or a restricted section in the water line, it can lead to consistently low water pressure throughout the property. When fixture-level causes are ruled out and the water line itself is revealed as the culprit, our plumbers inspect the full line to perform the repair or replacement.
Older water lines in Calgary homes are commonly made from galvanized steel or other materials that corrode over time. Corrosion reduces water quality and restricts flow, eventually causing the pipe to fail. When a water line deteriorates to the point where a repair is no longer viable, excavation and sewer line replacement is the best option.
When tree roots start looking for a source of moisture, they can eventually infiltrate and damage water lines. Root intrusion causes pipe damage, partial blockages and eventual failure. Excavation, repair or replacement are the best options.
Water line excavation is a requirement for new water service installation. Common jobs include connecting a new building to the municipal supply, upgrading an undersized water line or relocating a service line for a major renovation. Our excavating contractors take care of water line installation for residential and commercial projects across Calgary, Alberta.
Before we start excavating, we complete a full utility locate where we find all the underground utility lines on your property (gas, electrical, telecommunications and drain lines). From there, we use a camera inspection inside the water line to confirm the location and extent of the damage before we start digging.
Our team excavates the damaged section of the water line, using compact excavators for residential and larger equipment for commercial excavation and deeper sewer digs. Trench depth and width are based on the pipe’s location and the scope of the repair or replacement. For water lines running under concrete, we cut into the surface and restore it with compacted stone or sand and new concrete after the work is done.
Once our plumbers expose the water line, they begin repairing or replacing the sewer line. The process can involve replacing a single damaged section, replacing the full water line or installing a whole new line. Our water line complies with the code for Calgary plumbing services.
After repairing or replacing the line, we backfill the trench with compacted material to restore ground stability. Levelling is used to match the surrounding grade. We restore any sod, landscaping and surface materials we disturb during the excavation.
Sometimes traditional water line excavation isn’t right for the job. Trenchless water line replacement methods such as our pipe bursting services in Calgary might make more sense. It’s an effective way to install a new pipe without disrupting the surface. Trenchless methods are only effective when the existing pipe path is suitable and the pipe is easily accessible at both ends.
In some cases, trenchless replacement isn’t possible. It can be due to pipe location, ground conditions, the extent of the damage or the need to replace damaged sewer lines along the same corridor. That’s when traditional water line excavation makes sense. Our team will assess the situation and recommend the best option for your needs.
There are several reasons that Calgary homeowners can end up with water line issues. The most common include aging infrastructure, root intrusion from mature trees and corrosion in older services. That’s why Mr. Mike’s Plumbing provides residential water line excavation services across Calgary and why we handle everything from emergency leak repairs to full water line replacements.
Our residential excavation is backed by our lifetime non-transferrable warranty. After we quote the job and start excavating, the price doesn’t change regardless of what we find underground. We want Calgary homeowners to book with confidence knowing there are no surprises on the invoice.
Commercial water line excavation involves large-diameter pipes, more complex service configurations and higher stakes when a line fails. A commercial water line failure can disrupt operations, affect tenants and create liability. Our excavation contractors are prepared for commercial-scale work and experienced with the permit and inspection requirements for commercial water line excavation in Calgary, Alberta.
The process of water line excavation is digging underground to access a buried water service line for inspection, repair or replacement. When an underground water line cracks, corrodes or gets damaged by intrusion or ground movement, it must be physically uncovered to be fixed. Our excavating contractors take care of everything from excavation to repair or sewer line replacement, backfill and surface restoration.
Water line excavation prices in Calgary vary based on the depth of the pipe, length of the line being replaced or repaired, ground conditions and what’s above the pipe. Concrete removal, landscaping restoration, permit fees and the extent of the repair also impact the final price. We give you a detailed quote upfront before we start working. Once we start excavating, this price doesn’t change.
Yes. Our team will give you an upfront quote for your water line excavation before we start digging. For larger or more complex projects, we inspect the job before giving you an accurate number. Call (403) 520-2040 or book online to get started.
Water lines in Calgary tend to fail because of corrosion in older galvanized or cast iron lines, freeze-thaw ground movement cracking the pipe, tree root intrusion growing into the line through joints or small cracks, ground settlement shifting the pipe out of alignment and simple age since water lines don’t last forever. Calgary’s unpredictable climate can also put extra stress on underground infrastructure and most older homes have water lines approaching or well past the end of their life.
When there is confirmed damage in the underground section of the line that can’t be accessed or repaired from above, water line excavation is the best option. This is most common when there are confirmed leaks, persistent low water pressure traced back to the service line, visible sinkholes or wet spots in the yard or a water line that has deteriorated beyond the point of repair.
Traditional water line excavation is digging a trench to expose and access a pipe. Trenchless water line replacement like pipe bursting is pulling a new pipe through the existing line with minimal digging. When the pipe location, ground conditions or extent of the damage are too much to go trenchless, traditional excavation is the way to go.
Failing or damaged water line? Turn to Mr. Mike’s Plumbing for professional water line excavation services across Calgary, Alberta for residential and commercial properties. With us, you get a lifetime warranty on all excavation work, a price-lock guarantee once we start digging and licensed excavation contractors on every job.
