FAQs

All Thuro Inc. pipe repairs and replacements including trenchless methods come with a standard 5 year material and workmanship warranty. We stand behind our work, following a warranty inspection if either the material or workmanship is found to be defective we will repair the defect with no charge.

Service and maintenance work doesn’t have a set warranty period as pipe conditions can change quite quickly but our goal is to always provide our clients with high quality service. If you are ever unsatisfied with our work you can count on us to return asap to make it right at no cost to you.

Even if the issue was not material or workmanship related we are still committed to helping our clients! The Thuro team will work with you to find a solution to the problem always keeping your costs and inconvenience in mind.

Thuro has a wide variety of pipe inspection equipment including small push cameras for residential services and conduit lines (75mm-150mm or 3”-6” pipe) to robotic video crawlers for inspecting sewer and storm mains (150mm-1350mm or 6”-52” pipe). 

Under ideal conditions service lines and conduits (75mm-150mm or 3”-6” pipe) can be inspected to a maximum distance of approximately 80 meters or 260 ft. If the line has bends, grade changes, diameter changes, or if there are any obstructions this will affect the possible distance that can be inspected.

In large diameter (150mm-1350mm or 6”-52” pipe) deep utility inspections (sewer & storm pipe) our remote controlled video inspection equipment is equipped to inspect a maximum distance of approximately 300-400 meters or 980-1300 feet. If there is good access (manhole, exposed pipe end etc.) from either side of a pipe segment this length could be doubled as the pipe can be inspected from both sides in order to get a video of the entire length. As always unknown underground pipe conditions can limit the inspection length.

Thuro Inc. is known for our inspection experience and troubleshooting skills. We think outside of the box and have a wide range of equipment to tkat on difficult projects including mobile inspection equipment for use in hard to access locations (dams, spillways etc.) and pontoon camera skids for use in lines with high flow. If there is a way to inspect your line, Thuro will find it.

If your sewer system is holding water and causing issues or back-ups, Thuro has a fleet of flush and vacuum trucks to clear your manholes, catch basins, sanitary, and storm pipes. If the manholes and catch basins don’t have visible debris our first suggestion is to flush the pipe between the access points as there could be an internal blockage. 

High pressure flush trucks can remove most types of blockages including grease and debris such as gravel from the pipe. With hydraulic cutting equipment we can also use the flusher to cut out root blockages or grind down mineral deposits caused by water infiltration. In most cases flushing can clear your line and get your sewer/storm water flowing again. 

If there is a lot of debris flushed out of the line or in the manhole/catch basin itself, or if the manhole or catch basin is filling with water a vacuum truck may be required to remove the solid waste/debris inside. Catch basins often have excess gravel from road/parking lot cleaning operations in spring. A vacuum truck will quickly and easily remove these materials so the stormwater/sewage can flow through the system as intended.

The only way to know the condition of your underground sanitary service is to have a pipe inspection completed to see what’s going on inside your pipe. 

We recommend having your pipe inspected:

• Before purchasing any new or older property (even in new home purchases improper installation methods have been found)
• If you are experiencing back-ups and/or have your line cleaned regularly due to known issues
• If your home was built prior to 1990 (pipe materials do not last forever, in older areas some of the pipes in Calgary are tar paper pipes (No-corrode/Orangeburg Pipe)

If you are experiencing sewage or water back-ups inside your basement (showers, floor drains etc.) regardless how minor, there is likely an issue inside your pipe. Even if you have not yet experienced a back-up your pipe may be deteriorating underground and one day you could get a very unpleasant surprise. 

Just as you would have your roof or furnace inspected, your sewer also needs to be checked out from time to time. Especially if you have known problems in the line already (roots, sags etc.) as these can worsen over-time and cause big problems. We recommend every 3-5 years to keep an eye on deteriorating pipe condition.

Orangeburg pipe (also called No-Corrode or Tar Paper Pipe) is made up of layers of tar paper that are laminated (glued) together. This pipe material was used in the 1950’s and has a life expectancy of 40-50 years. After 40-50 years Orangeburg pipe has a high risk of quick deterioration. Over time the pipe begins to deteriorate due to moisture getting into the layers of paper (delamination). This causes layers of pipe wall to bubble into the pipe. Similar to a collapse the bubbling will block off the pipe flow and can cause back-ups. 

If you have Orangeburg pipe, the delaminated areas can be maintained to an extent by augering. The auger will cut the bubbles out and restore flow, however the cutting will also speed up the deterioration. As the layers of paper are cut away it exposes more layers of the pipe wall to moisture. As the more layers delaminate and are cut out, the pipe walls are thinned. This compromises the structural integrity in the pipe and drastically increases the risk of complete collapse which could lead back-up or even a complete loss of use of the service. Augering also poses a risk of punching through thinned areas which could also lead to complete collapse, or if equipment becomes stuck in the pipe wall, excavation could be required to retrieve it. Leaving the pipe to deteriorate further may also eliminate the possibility of trenchless replacement in the future.

We have had a lot of success lining severely deteriorated no-corrode pipes in Calgary. We have specialised cutting tools that we use to ream out the existing delaminated sections and can often install a CIP (Cure In Place) liner into the existing pipe, extending the life of the sanitary service 60-100 years without any excavation. The liner would need to be done right after the reaming (the same/next day) as the reaming can reduce the structural integrity of the pipe.

Trenchless pipe repairs and replacements often save our clients’ money. Thuro offers both CIP Lining and Pipe Bursting solutions. These methods of repair offer minimal disruption to your landscaping, time, and life. There are also other benefits when compared to excavation/trenching such as the ability to repair and replace underground lines running underneath large trees, garages, or concrete patios and decks. However, there are times where full excavation is needed like when a pipe has lows, sags, or is completely collapsed or crushed.

Thuro Inc. offers all methods of repair and replacement this means we can customise a solution based on your problems. We assess your pipe by video to see all the problems and find the best option for you. So, is trenchless better than digging? Call us for a video inspection today to find out if a trenchless solution is right for you! Having a video inspection done is relatively low cost and can save you thousands of dollars by getting the right information to make an informed decision.

CIP Liners are permanent repairs. Current manufacturer specifications show CIP Liners are tested to last over 60 years. Industry professionals currently anticipate a 60 to 100-year life expectancy. In reality, CIP liners could last well beyond this. Part of the reason liners have an estimated life expectancy is there hasn’t been enough time passed since the technology was introduced to actually confirm when they will start degrading.  Either way you can rest assured your new liner will last for a very, very long time. Likely much longer than you will own your home.

Yes! Thuro works closely with the City of Calgary through their cost share program. We are indemnified by the City to work on City property. 

We can also dig on the City side if there are no issues, but digging on private is not possible/too expensive due to digging conflicts such as garages, trees, decks, or patios over top of the pipes. When working on City property we take care of everything including all permits, road closures, notices to surrounding neighbours etc.)

Back water valves are frequently referred to as Back-up or Back Flow Preventers which can be a bit misleading. A Back Water Valve is installed to stop water/sewage surges from the main from coming into your house. They do not prevent back-ups caused by issues within your sewer service or due to long duration back-ups in the outside sewer system.

A Back Water Valve is installed mid-line in your sanitary or storm service usually as close as possible to the exterior foundation wall in your basement. The valve is operated by a float. Once installed the valve will close if large amounts of water/sewage come up your service line, stopping it from coming into your interior service line/plumbing. This can prevent back-ups in these situations. However, If you have an issue within your service line that has caused a back-up or if the City main is completely full the valve at your foundation will stay closed. This essentially will block any water/sewage from exiting your house and depending on how long the line is full you may still experience a back-up if you continue to use your sewer and water.

Back Water Valves are extremely useful in areas where storm or sanitary system surges are typical, in areas of high flood risk, or in areas where there is high ground water present. Give us a call to discuss and we would be happy to help determine if a Back Water Valve is right for you! To install a Back Water Valve a small excavation will be needed to access the pipe in your basement at your foundation wall. Thuro has licensed plumbers that can install the new valve in less than a day including re-concrete of the floor around the new valve.

An inexpensive way to reduce your risk of back-ups and monitor if your sewer line is operating properly if you do have frequent issues is to install a water sensor alarm near your basement floor drain or other low lying location where water would tend to come into your house (basement shower or bath etc.). If your plumbing starts backing up sewage/water will come up out of these drains the alarm will go off to notify you. This way you can immediately stop using sewer and water until you can determine what the problem is. Preventing the mess and hassle of a full back-up. A water sensor we recommend is the Flo by Moen smart leak detector.