Over time, your pipes can develop cracks or holes that cause clogs and blockages. Traditionally, these issues would be repaired by digging huge trenches in your yard.
But today, there’s another option that takes less time and causes less disruption – trenchless sewer repair. This method involves using either pipe lining or pipe bursting techniques.
No Digging
In the past, it was common for sewer line repairs to require extensive digging. This would often result in damaged yards and destroyed landscaping. Trenchless technology makes this process much less invasive, saving time and money.
After a thorough inspection with a camera, your plumbing professional will choose the best no-dig repair method for your pipes. Some popular options include cured-in-place pipe (CIPP), slip lining, and spray lining.
CIPP involves inserting a new epoxy-saturated pipe into your existing lines to seal any cracks or damage. It’s also highly effective at dealing with root intrusion.
Slip lining is similar to CIPP, except it’s a quicker solution that doesn’t require an entirely new pipe. With this option, your plumber pulls a plastic liner into your old line to create a tube within a pipe. It’s most suitable for larger-diameter pipes and can help halt leaks. In some cases, this option does reduce your pipes’ diameter by about a quarter.
No Damage to Your Yard
Typically, traditional sewer repair involves digging large trenches that ruin your landscaping. Those damages can be expensive to restore, which makes this a major drawback for many homeowners. Trenchless technology eliminates this issue, which is excellent news for your landscaping.
Once your plumber has hydro and mechanically cleaned your sewer line, they’ll insert a durable epoxy-saturated lining into your existing pipes. This lining will restore your pipes to their original condition. It’s also designed to last decades, so you won’t have to worry about it again in the future.
This method can be used for both clogged and broken sewer lines. For a broken pipe, professionals can use a technique called “pipe bursting” to remove and replace damaged tubes without digging. This will also leave a smaller footprint in your yard. Typically, this process only requires two small access holes, so you won’t have to worry as much about your landscaping being ruined.
No Damage to Your Foundation
Traditional sewer repairs are messy and can damage your foundation, landscape, sidewalks, driveways, and more. Trenchless repair does not damage these areas and keeps your home intact.
With trenchless repair, a professional only needs to dig two access holes to run a new pipe or replace your old one. This means your yard will not be torn up, and you can save money on landscaping costs.
The cured-in-place-pipe (CIPP) method involves placing an epoxy liner inside your pipe. It can be installed in hours, providing a robust, durable solution that lasts for decades. Pipe bursting is another trenchless option that does not require excavation and is done by inserting a missile-like device into your damaged line. This breaks up the old pipe and pulls a new, flexible tube into place that occupies the space of the previous one. This method also lasts for decades and is environmentally friendly.
No Damage to Your Sewer Line
Trenchless sewer repair methods avoid damaging your home’s sewer line, which can be a costly problem. In traditional repairs, a plumber digs up your entire yard and replaces your damaged pipe with a new one. This can be a messy, expensive job. But with trenchless technology, a plumber only needs to make two small holes outside your house. This means your landscape stays intact, and there’s no need for extensive landscaping after the work is completed.
The most common trenchless repair technique is called pipelining. A felt liner is impregnated with resin and blown through the existing pipe during this process. The liner creates a new tube inside the old one, which can be slightly smaller in diameter but should not affect the sewage flow. Another trenchless method is called pipe bursting. This involves pulling a new pipe through the old one, which fractures outward into the ground. Both techniques use environmentally friendly HDPE (high-density polyethylene) pipes.