trenchless sewer replacement
A damaged sewer pipe is a major headache for any property owner. Because these pipes are buried underground, replacing them usually requires excavating large sections of the yard. The cost to dig, refill, reseed and resurface these areas of the property add up quickly. If you are considering having your old, damaged sewer line replaced with new pipes, consider the option of trenchless technology. While not suitable in all circumstances, this method allows for minimal damage to your property while still getting the job done correctly and efficiently.
trenchless sewer replacement can be completed by a professional plumber using several methods, including pipe bursting, slip lining and cured-in-place (CIPP) pipe lining. While these techniques have their differences, they all offer a similar result: restoring your property as if the repair had never happened.
Unlike traditional repair, trenchless methods are designed to limit the amount of destruction and disruption caused to your home or business. They also typically take much less time to complete, meaning your life can get back to normal faster.
How long does trenchless sewer replacement typically take?
Since these pipes are buried beneath your property, digging for the whole length of the sewer line can be a huge project for professional plumbers. However, a trenchless repair can be conducted from your plumbing cleanout and small access points like sewer cleanouts, the foundation of the house or the property line, so it doesn’t require as much digging.
The main benefit of a trenchless sewer repair is that it doesn’t require the removal of trees, sod, landscaping, driveway pavement or cobblestone. This means the repairs are much faster and the costs associated with re-installing these items afterward are significantly lower than traditional methods.
For example, a typical traditional repair could take weeks to complete and cost you thousands of dollars. If you live in an older home or have a complex landscape around your home, the repair may even be more costly because of the number and depth of the trenches required to reach the broken pipe.
Depending on the type of trenchless repair technique used, you can expect your plumber to charge anywhere from $60-$250 per linear foot. This fee includes the labor and materials needed to inspect and replace your sewer line without destroying your landscaping or property.
The most common trenchless method for sewer line replacement is pipe bursting. This process involves a hydraulic head being pulled through the old sewer pipe to break it apart and push a new run of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe into its place. To perform this repair, two pits need to be dug: one at the beginning of the pipe and the other at its end.