Few sewer line contractors earn the prestigious Diamond Certified award, which means they’ve been independently rated Highest in Quality. Even fewer can also say they’ve helped set the industry standard for sewer line replacement techniques, but that’s exactly the case for Pipe Spy Inc. “When we saw a prototype of pipe bursting technology more than a decade ago, we recognized it was going to change the industry, so we abandoned the old way of trenching,” explains co-owner Paul Cooper. “Today, we continue to set the standard for the way sewer lines are replaced, and we’re very proud of that.”

Pipe Spy Inc. has been using state-of-the-art equipment to perform trenchless sewer replacements for residential and commercial clients in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties since 1998. The company also provides a variety of sewer repair and diagnostic services, and it utilizes its comprehensive sewer compliance expertise to help resolve sewer boundary issues with city agencies and neighbors.

Unlike less experienced sewer line contractors that take an assembly line approach to each job and sacrifice personal relationships with their customers in the process, Pipe Spy Inc. takes a detail-oriented approach that’s designed to achieve high levels of customer satisfaction. “Our services have a lot of depth,” says co-owner Heiko Dzierzon. “Whether it’s listening closely to our customers’ concerns or clearly explaining our work, our goal is to provide excellent service that makes them feel satisfied and happy.”

Another distinguishing attribute of Pipe Spy Inc. is its ability to conduct sewer line video inspections, which Mr. Cooper says is important for confirming the location of pipe problems and eliminating neighbor boundary issues. “We’re also knowledgeable about all the jurisdictions and sewer compliance requirements in the East Bay, and we can help homeowners, general contractors, and real estate agents with their permitting and compliance needs.”

If you own a home, it’s important to make sure your property conforms to local sewer compliance laws. Many homeowners are caught off guard when they start having problems with their sewer lines or discover they’re required to bring their lines up to new compliance standards. “Aging infrastructure is a growing problem in the Bay Area, and that includes sewer pipes,” explains Heiko Dzierzon, co-owner of Pipe Spy Inc. in Oakland. “It’s important to stay aware of the aging of your home and community infrastructure, but it’s also important to stay aware of the government requirements to fix these problems.”

Most sewer lines will last between 50 and 80 years before they need to be replaced, but local governments may also have requirements for upgrading sewer pipes and home sewer lines. These requirements are often waived for existing homes until the properties are remodeled (especially if the remodeling costs exceed a certain dollar amount) or sold. “If a property is bought or sold, sewer compliance laws often mandate a pipe assessment,” explains Mr. Dzierzon. “This usually requires a sewer line contractor to verify your lateral sewer pipes are watertight, which means no rainwater can get into the sewer system. It also might require an assessment of the structural condition of the pipes, including a pressure test to make sure there’s no leakage.”

Most old sewer line pipes in the Bay Area are made of clay, terra cotta, cardboard amalgamation or cast iron. New compliance standards usually require high-quality materials, such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which is welded together to create a continuous length of pipe. According to Mr. Dzierzon, these pipes can last up to 100 years, which is good for the community infrastructure and gives homeowners peace of mind. “People who’ve experienced repeated sewer backups or foul smells in their homes benefit from new pipes because the new sewer systems are healthier and in full compliance,” he says. “From a community perspective, sewer line contractors are rebuilding a 100-year-old infrastructure one pipeline at a time.”

Q: How much will it cost to repair my sewer line?

A: We’ll have to look at your sewer line in order to provide an accurate estimate. For example, the cost of trenchless sewer replacement depends on how many holes need to be dug, how deep those holes need to be and the surface areas that need to be restored.

Q: How soon can you start working?

A: Our average response time varies depending on the urgency. If it’s an emergency, we’ll respond on the same day you call. We try to get to non-emergency calls within 48 hours or by appointment.

Q: Why doesn’t the city repair residential sewer lines?

A: Drain lines are considered utilities, which means they’re the responsibility of the homeowner. A portion of sewer lines does belong to the city, but the portion that’s on your property is your responsibility.

Q: What is trenchless pipe replacement?

A: Trenchless pipe replacement is a method of replacing underground pipes without digging trenches. We use a pipe bursting method that simultaneously breaks the old pipe and replaces it with a new polyethylene pipe. Trenchless pipe replacement typically costs 50 to 75 percent less than the traditional method.

Q: How long will it take you to perform a trenchless pipe replacement?

A: We can typically perform a trenchless pipe replacement in one day.

Q: What’s a sewer line video inspection?

A: It’s a camera inspection of the drain line that runs from your building to the sewer system. Camera inspections give us a glimpse of how well the line is working.

Q: Do you clear clogged drains?

A: Yes, we offer power snaking and hydro jetting, which is a method that uses high-pressure water to clear pipe lines.