Trenchless Sewer Repair – What Is It Anyway?

Trenchless Sewer Repair is just as the name implies. It is a means available to you, the homeowner to have your broken, dysfunctional old sewer line replaced without having to dig a trench across the entire length of your yard. Thanks to new technology, you can now have your residential sewer pipe repaired or replaced without digging or having to knock down structures like porches, garages, or that new marble walkway you had put in last year.

How Does It Work?

The 2 most common methods used for residential trenchless sewer repair include pipe relining and pipe bursting.

Pipe Relining – This technology is usually referred to as “No Dig” trenchless sewer repair as it rarely requires any digging at all. It involves relining the interior of your worn existing, cracked, and leaking existing sewer pipe with a brand new super strong seamless liner. The new sewer liner can usually be installed through an existing access point called a clean-out. The new sewer liner is made of a super strong, flexible PVC infused material that is coated with resin epoxy and literally blown into the existing sewer line with air pressure. The air pressure forces the liner to unravel inside the old sewer pipe pushing the epoxy coated side against the interior of the old sewer pipe. Once in place, a bladder is inserted through the entire length of the sewer line and inflated with heated, high pressure air. This secures the new liner against the walls of the old sewer pipe sealing all cracks, leaks, and voids leaving a brand new smooth pipe that is water tight and highly resistant to root intrusion, the leading cause of sewer pipe failure.

Pipe Bursting – This residential trenchless sewer repair method is used when pipe relining is not an option due to severely damaged or collapsed sewer lines. With this procedure, only 2 small access holes usually about 3’ x 3’ are dig at each end of the sewer line. A heavy cable is fed through the entire length of the old pipe and secured to a cone shaped tool called a bursting head. The bursting head is fastened to a new sewer line and pulled underground using a power hydraulic winch. The bursting head breaks up the old sewer line while pulling the brand new pipe in behind it. This method of trenchless sewer line replacement fast, efficient, and again no digging up your yard or that beautiful patio you put in last year.

Is It Expensive?

When compared to the costs involved with traditional “dig up and replace” residential sewer repair methods, both pipe relining and pipe bursting are more economical. Prices can vary depending upon where you are in the country and other variables however you can be assured it is by far the most economical and smartest way to have your sewer line repaired or replaced today. Especially when you weigh in the cost and headaches of re landscaping your yard, repairing structures, etc. that is required with traditional “dig up and replace” sewer repair methods. The range is around $20-$80 a foot for pipe relining and around $40-$90 a foot for pipe bursting.

Where Can I Get Some Quotes?

We have put together a list of contractors across the country that specialize in new residential trenchless sewer repair and can give you all the information you need to decide which residential trenchless sewer repair method is best for you as well as provide you with an estimate.

Find Your Local Trenchless Sewer Contractors