Main Water/Sewer Lines

Repair and Replacement

Zippy Zebra does more than just clear your drains. We can also repair or replace water and sewer lines to correct a number of problems. This includes:

• Broken, cracked, offset or collapsed pipe — damaged pipes due to shifting soil, frozen ground, settling, etc.
• Blockage — grease buildup or a foreign object restricting or prohibiting proper flow and/or cleaning of the line.
• Corrosion — the pipe has deteriorated and/or broken causing a collapse in the line and flow restriction.
• Bellied pipe — a section of the pipe has sunk due to ground or soil conditions which creates a valley that collects paper and waste.
• Leaking joints — the seals between pipes have broken thus allowing water to escape into the area surrounding the pipe.
• Root infiltration — tree or shrub roots have invaded the sewer line so as to prevent normal cleaning and/or have damaged the line.
• Off-grade pipe — existing pipes are constructed of substandard material that may have deteriorated or corroded.

Zippy Zebra technicians and plumbers are fully trained in the use of state of the art equipment and technologies to solve all of your plumbing and drain problems.

Cast Iron Pipe

Cast Iron pipes may last approximately 50 years and have been used as a primary source of water and sewer distribution for decades. However, many factors shorten the life of this pipe and corrosion is the main contributing mechanism. Hydrogen sulfide gas can form from the matter running through the pipes. This may oxidize, thus producing sulfuric acid which then deteriorates the pipe. As new technology offers less expensive options, cast iron has lost its popularity.

Orangeburg Pipe

Orangeburg pipe is manufactured of wood pulp which is then sealed with coal tar. Its popularity began in the World War II era as cast iron became more difficult to obtain due to a shortage of materials to make such. Unfortunately, this pipe is extremely brittle and lightweight, thus deforming under pressure as it absorbs moisture. The pipe was inexpensive to manufacture and install which warranted its use. However, it has been largely phased out in recent decades due to the issues related to the pipe.

ABS Pipe

Another main water line used is made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, commonly known as ABS and surfaced in the 1950’s. This pipe offers high impact strength and durability. It is also resistant to most salts, acids and alkalis. However, sun exposure can cause deformity to such. Thirty years after production, a substandard waste ABS was manufactured in the mid 80’s and had cracking issues. The manufactures involved in the defective pipe include Centaur, Phoenix, Polaris, Gable, and Apache.

More information can be found by calling the U.S. CPSC Hot Line: 800-638-8270. Additionally, glue-line joints with this pipe and mixed plastics have failed as the glue of previous decades could not withstand the test of time.

PVC Pipe

Main lines can also be found in the form of polyvinyl chloride and referred to as PVC. PVC is often softer and more flexible than ABS. It is resistant to most salts, acids and alkalis but cannot withstand chlorinated hydrocarbons just like ABS. This plastic pipe is more difficult to install than ABS as a purple primer must be used at the joints and held for five to ten seconds to take hold.

Proudly serving the East Valley areas of Mesa, Gold Canyon, Gilbert, Apache Junction, Chandler and Tempe.