Sewer Line Replacement in Atlanta’s Adair Park: A Terracotta Tale

Project Details:

May, 2010

Sewer Replacement

Historic Adair Park

Atlanta, GA

Single Family Home

Stephen Thompson

In the lush, bustling neighborhoods of Atlanta, homes are living narratives of history blended with the present. Occasionally, their stories uncover buried plumbing troubles.

Unseen Troubles Rise to the Surface

When our Adair Park neighbor, Joel Haffey arrived home from being out of town in the Spring of 2010 he noticed water trickling down his driveway. Understanding this wasn’t a good sign, but not knowing the cause or how to begin fixing it, he called Fix & Flow. When Fix & Flow’s technicians arrived, the diagnosis was as clear as the plumbing relic they uncovered: an old terracotta drain pipe.

Roots from neighboring trees had woven their way into a failed seam in the drain, entirely blocking the sewer line. These subterranean invaders didn’t just block the line; they broke it. Water leaking from a cracked section of the pipe was sending rivulets down the driveway. For many, it would be just another repair job. But at Fix & Flow, we don’t just patch things up; we dig deeper.

Intrusive Tree Roots and A Cracked Terracotta Drain Pipe

After a thorough inspection, our master plumber, Stephen Thompson, identified the primary issues:

Tree Root Intrusion: Roots infiltrating the pipe, leading to a complete blockage.
Cracked Terracotta Drain Pipe: A crack in one section of the sewer line causing water leakage.
Aging Clay Sewer Pipe: The clay sewer pipe had significantly surpassed its service life, necessitating a replacement.
Depth & Path of Sewer Line: The house’s elevated position relative to the street and a portion of the old sewer line lying under the driveway added complexity to the excavation process.

With an understanding of the situation and considering the likelihood of recurring root problems with the old terracotta pipe, Joel decided to proceed with a full sewer line replacement. We planned the project, taking into account the unique challenges posed by the property’s layout.

Our team efficiently excavated the yard to uncover the entire length of the sewer drain line. We carefully removed pavers from the front porch landing and created a trench in the crawl space to reroute the new sewer line slightly. Given the yard was already excavated, we replaced the water line, ensuring both service lines for this property remained in optimal condition for years to come.

By replacing the old clay sewer line with PVC, we ensured a durable and long-lasting solution to prevent future blockages. A cleanout was installed to provide easy access for any potential maintenance needs in the future. Once the new PVC sewer line was successfully installed and the trench was backfilled, we took the utmost care to tamp the porch landing area and reset the pavers, leaving the property looking pristine.

New Sewer Line Installed with Cleanout. Trench Backfilled. Front Porch Landing Pavers Reset.

From the Homeowner

“I arrived home from being out of town when my roommate told me that water had been running down the driveway from the yard. Fix & Flow was able to quickly determine there was a leak in the sewer line, allowing roots to grow and block the drain. They offered a range of solutions, and I chose to fully replace the old clay sewer line. I appreciated Stephen explaining the process and trusted his recommendations. I have been very happy with Fix & Flow, and recommend them often. I will absolutely trust them for my future plumbing needs.”

Crafting Peace of Mind

Our roots, much like the homes we service in Atlanta, go deep. At Fix & Flow, we’re more than just plumbers; we’re stewards of your home’s lasting integrity. Through every valve change or system replacement, our goal remains the same: to be partners in keeping things running smoothly, for the long-haul.