Specialized Tools & Diagnostics — Case Study
Vancouver Deep Excavation & Sanitary Drain Replacement
Complex problem. Clear diagnosis. Complete solution.
A West Vancouver property with a failing sanitary main and an inconclusive prior report — solved with camera diagnostics, digital pipe mapping, and an engineer-coordinated excavation.
The Situation
VIA Plumbing was contacted by the property manager, restoration company, and homeowner to investigate a serious sanitary drainage issue at a West Vancouver property. A previous inspection by another company had already taken place — but its findings were inconclusive and offered no clear path to a repair.
Rather than guess at a fix, VIA built a proper investigation plan from the ground up: camera diagnostics, digital pipe mapping, structural engineering coordination, and a fully tested repair. The timeline below walks through exactly how that process unfolded.
Step by step
How VIA Solved It
Six stages, same structure throughout — from the first call to a tested, code-compliant repair.
1
The Call Comes In
Property manager, restoration company, and homeowner flag a serious sanitary drainage issue. An earlier inspection by another company left the findings inconclusive — no clear repair solution, and the problem still active.
2
Full Camera Inspection
VIA runs a complete sanitary line camera inspection, tracking the pipe in real time. The footage confirms a settled, sagging section running roughly 36–47 ft down the line, holding water and restricting flow.
Live camera feed — settled section end point at 47 ft
3
Digital Pipe Mapping
Camera findings are translated into a clear, drawn diagram — plotting the sewage main, the settled section, and the exact point where the pipe is deformed, right beneath the building footing. Where the first report fell short, this makes the problem visible.
Digital drawn map — deformed pipe located beneath the footing
4
Careful Excavation, Engineered Support
Because of the pipe's depth and location, a complex excavation is opened beside the building. VIA exposes the failed line and coordinates directly with a structural engineer — installing helical piles to keep the building properly supported throughout the work.
Excavation exposes the line
Helical piles support the footing
5
Replace & Test
With the building safely supported, the damaged sanitary drainage line is removed and replaced. The new system is pressure- and flow-tested to confirm the repair holds before anything is closed back up.
6
Project Closed Out Safely
Excavation is backfilled, the site is restored, and the job is completed safely and professionally — from first camera pass through engineering coordination to final installation.
Why This Job Highlights Our Specialty
This project shows VIA Plumbing's ability to manage challenging drainage repairs from initial investigation through excavation, engineering coordination, and final installation.
- ✓ Resolved a case a prior inspection couldn't diagnose
- ✓ Full camera inspection with digital pipe mapping
- ✓ Complex excavation beside an occupied building
- ✓ Structural engineer & helical pile coordination
- ✓ Damaged line removed, replaced, and tested
- ✓ Delivered safely, professionally, on schedule
Facing a drainage issue no one else can diagnose? This is exactly the kind of job our specialist team is built for.
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