When many people envision a sewer line repair, they picture the trench — that long stretch of dug-up earth that allows repair workers to access a sewer line, often upturning valuable landscaping or interrupting street traffic.
But what if there was a better, more convenient way? For about the last 15 years, there has been a better way — in the form of trenchless sewer replacements and repairs. Yet for some reason, an amazing 78% of homeowners who responded to an Angie’s List survey said they had never heard of replacing sewer lines using trenchless technology!
Trenchless sewer technology isn’t just faster and simpler than traditional repairs — in the long run, it can help you save tens of thousands of dollars by preventing water leaks and eliminating the need for further sewer repairs. There are two methods currently used among homeowners for trenchless pipe replacement: pipe lining and pipe bursting. Both methods come with warranties that last as long as 50 years, but each method is unique in its own way.
Not sure which method of trenchless pipe replacement is right for your home’s sewer needs? Take a look at this quick, simple guide to the two methods of trenchless sewer replacement that are currently revolutionizing sewers everywhere:
Pipe lining (Cured in place pipe)
During pipe lining, sewer repair professionals send a flexible tube coated in resin through the existing sewer line. This tube is then inflated to fit within the dimensions of the sewer line; within a few hours, the tube’s resin coating will harden and adhere to the inside of the sewer line, creating a pipe within a pipe. This technique often only requires one access hole to be dug.
Pipe bursting
The pipe bursting method involves pulling a new sewer line through the old one, effectively bursting the old pipe outward. Pipe bursting typically requires two access holes to be dug in order to pull the new pipe through the old one, but given the long-term savings of this technique, the benefits of pipe bursting as a form of trenchless pipe replacement are hard to ignore.
Have any other questions or comments about trenchless pipe repair and replacement? Feel free to let us know by leaving a comment below.
