Everything You Need to Know About Trenchless Sewer Repair

There is no longer just one option for sewer repairs and replacements. The only option used to involve digging up your entire yard to gain access to the pipe. However, there is a new technology that has been gaining popularity over the last several years, trenchless sewer repair. This repair doesn’t involve digging up your whole yard to fix or replace your sewer line.

What is a Trenchless Sewer Repair?

Traditional sewer repairs involve tearing up your yard to dig out the sewer line.
Whether to change the entire sewer line from home to street or just a small section depends on what is needed. It does not matter if the sewer line is under your deck, pathway, or a bush. If it needs to be replaced, that section of pipe will be dug up. This causes an added hassle of getting landscaping or anything else redone.

Trenchless sewer repair does not need to dig more than two small access point holes. Generally, these holes do not tamper with your landscaping. There are two types of trenchless sewer repair, pipe lining and pipe bursting. They both involve using small holes to access your line and repair or replace the line.

What is Pipe Lining?

Pipelining is the process of lining a sewer pipe with a liner or sleeve coated in epoxy. This epoxy seals the sewer line crack. This process can be done with clay, PVC, cast iron, or concrete. If you have another material, it can mean you need to fully replace the line.

When doing this trenchless sewer repair process, the plumber will dig an access hole to the pipe. They then insert the liner or sleeve. After that, the epoxy will cure in a manner of ways; either with UV light, steam, or on its own. Then the sleeve is removed from the pipe.

This is used mainly for repairing a pipe, as it just seals in where there are cracks.

What is Pipe Bursting?

Unlike pipe lining, this trenchless sewer repair option is for pipe replacement. Your plumber will start by digging access holes to the sewer line. They then insert the pipe-bursting device. The front of the device is a bursting head, and on the other side is a new sewer pipe. This new line is made of high-density polyethylene. The plumber then inserts the machine, and as it moves through the sewer lines, it breaks the old pipe apart and installs the new pipe. The old pipe does not need to be removed from the line and can stay in the ground. This saves a lot of time as both parts of the sewer repair are being done at the same time.

When Can’t You Do a Trenchless Sewer Repair?

There are a couple of instances when a trenchless sewer repair isn’t an option. The first depends on the material of your sewer line and what method you need. If you have galvanized steel pipe, pipe lining is not an option. If you have cast iron, pipe bursting may not be an option.
Also, if your pipes shatter completely, neither option will work. Pipelining needs most of the pipe intact for this technology to work; with pipe bursting, the pipe has to be pushed out of the way. This helps make sure the new pipe will be on level ground to avoid any issues in the future.

The only other reason you may not be able to use this method is that it is a new technology. This means that plumbers in your area are not trained on how to do so. It is important to make sure your plumber has a background knowledge of this. This way you know you are getting a quality repair.

Benefits of Trenchless Sewer Pipe Repair and Replacement

There are many benefits of having a trenchless sewer repair done. The first is the biggest benefit, and that is the minimal amount of property damage. There will still be some, but nowhere near as much as a traditional sewer repair or replacement.

This type of repair or replacement tends to take less time than the traditional methods. The traditional methods can take a week. That means a week of no drain usage, which means no toilet, shower, sinks and laundry. The trenchless replacement or repair will generally take a day or two. You won’t be displaced too long from your home.

Due to the trenchless replacement and repair method taking less time; that will save you a ton of money on labor costs. However, it is not always cheaper than a traditional method. It depends on what company you use!

When doing a trenchless sewer replacement or repair, your materials will l last anywhere from 50 to 100 years. This likely means you won’t have to replace it in your lifetime.

Disadvantages of Trenchless Sewer Replacement or Repair

There are only a few disadvantages of this sewer replacement or repair method. This method doesn’t work for every situation, as we mentioned above. You may have your hopes up for this method, only to be told it isn’t possible.

This method needs to be done by a trained professional. This technology is fairly new, and it is not a common repair method yet. You’ll likely have to call a few different companies.

Final Thoughts

The trenchless sewer repair or replacement is a great alternative to the traditional method. It can be used to repair or replace your sewer line. It is less destructive to your property than the traditional method is. However, it does not work for every single case.

Call 1-Tom-Plumber

Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need help with any plumbing, drain cleaning, water damage, or excavation services. 1-Tom-Plumber’s certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, or water damage problem. We also handle the excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every day and night of the year, even on holidays.