Trenchless Plumbing Explained Simple

If you are having plumbing issues, and need a solution that’s cost-effective, fast, and efficient, say hello to trenchless plumbing! If you’ve used the plunger or a sewer snake, chances are you’re finding that these basic solutions don’t work.

This article is going to go over a solution that works. Something called trenchless plumbing, or trenchless sewer repair.

What Is Trenchless Plumbing?

First used in the U.S in 1975, trenchless plumbing (also called repair) is one the best solutions for fixing sewer pipes. The critical point about trenchless plumbing is that it involves no trenches. It’s non-invasive, meaning your home and yard are not torn up to fix a simple pipe. It’s fast and can be completed in only one day. Finally, it’s cost-effective, saving you thousands in clean-up and home repair expenses.

Benefits Of Trenchless Plumbing

Compared to conventional pipe replacement methods, trenchless technology has become the most recommended solution around. It’s eliminated the need to dig long trenches in your yard, rip up tiles or wood flooring, and the need to chip away concrete slabs. This new technology can be applied where older techniques cannot.

Trenchless plumbing only requires one or two access points, often 4ft x 4ft holes on either side of the house. Plumbers can make another access area by pulling a toilet out and using the floor connection. On occasions, some space around the toilet will need to be chipped away, but that is far better than destroying precious wood flooring or unique kitchen tile. The collateral damage of trenchless plumbing is nothing compared to the effects of traditional methods.

Types Of Trenchless Plumbing

There are two types of trenchless plumbing; pipe lining and pipe bursting. They both need to meet specific requirements to ensure your pipes qualify for replacement, such as the pipe’s structural integrity. Trenchless pipe replacement always begins with a pipe cleaning solution such as Hydro-jetting.

Pipe Lining

Also called structural pipe lining, or cured-in-place-pipe lining (CIPP), pipe lining involves using a one-of-a-kind, an epoxy-impregnated liner to create a new pipe directly inside your old one. CIPP is designed to last up to 50 years!

CIPP can be used on sewer pipes that have corroded over time or have cracked and are now experiencing problems with invasive tree roots and soil. After lining, the roots and dirt won’t be able to get back into the pipe.

Pipe lining can be considered replacement or repair depending on whether the whole pipe length will be lined or just a section. If just a section of pipe (a spot repair) is lined, it is considered a repair. If you line the whole pipe from start to finish, it is like getting a brand new pipe installed (aka replacement).

Trenchless lining can be used on:

Residential pipes
Commercial pipes
Industrial pipes
Vertical vent stacks
Lateral lines (the line that runs from your home to the street)
Building mains
Branch lines
Rainwater leaders (pipes that collect water from gutters and move it away from your home)
Underground storm lines

The Pipe Lining Process

A CCTV sewer camera first inspects your pipe.
The pipe is then cleaned using hydro jetting. We make sure the pipe is back to its original diameter (or as close to it as possible).
Next, we insert an epoxy-impregnated liner into the old pipe. Inside the liner is another layer called a bladder, inflating and pressing the epoxy against the pipe. After a few hours, the epoxy cures, and now you have a new pipe directly inside the old one.
The next step involves reinstating any branches that were covered over during the pipe lining process. This is done robotically using special equipment.
Lastly, we perform another CCTV inspection to ensure everything is completed and then fill in any pits or reinstall any fixtures we removed.

Note: The pipe’s diameter does become slightly smaller, but it increases your new pipe’s flow capacity due to the new material’s slickness.

Check out more about – How does hydro-jetting work?

Pipe Bursting

Pipe bursting is where a new HDPE (high-density polyethylene) pipe is attached to a winch with a cone-shaped bursting head and pulled through the damaged line. The damaged pipe is broken apart as the new one takes its place. Pipe bursting can replace 600+ feet of pipe. It has some limitations that make it more ideal for straight runs of pipe and horizontal pipe. Pipe bursting is an environmentally-friendly process that involves no chemicals.

Pipe bursting can also replace a functioning pipe with a larger one to increase the flow rate. Pipe bursting is a permanent solution that lasts 50 to 100 years.

The Pipe Bursting Process

We inspect the pipe with a special CCTV sewer camera to assess the damage and look for blockages. The sewer line inspection is non-invasive, meaning it does not damage your property or pipes and only takes 30 minutes to complete.
The next step involves digging two small pits (around 4ft x 4ft) to access the damaged pipe.
The new HDPE (high-density polyethylene) replacement pipe is then attached to a winch with a cone-shaped bursting head and pulled through the damaged line. As this happens, the damaged pipe is broken apart, and the new pipe takes its place. The new HDPE pipe is hooked up to your plumbing system so that the connection is complete.
Once the repair is complete, the two access points are filled.
The final step is another sewer camera inspection to make sure everything is running correctly.

How Much Does It Cost?

Trenchless plumbing can cost anywhere between $4,000-$15,000 for the average single-family home. Trenchless plumbing jobs range from a few feet of repair to hundreds of feet, changing the pricing per amount of needed work. There will always be a base cost starting at permits, contractor mobilization, project minimums, and then prices move on from there.

Conventional sewer repair, on average, costs $50 to $450 per linear foot. The price to install brand new pipes throughout your home or yard could run to $15,000 because of all the extensive work, such as trenching and excavation. Conventional sewer repair quotes will be lower than trenchless, but they don’t include the cost to clean up the mess and repair the property damage.

Who Can Offer Trenchless Plumbing Near You

It’s time that New Flow Plumbing comes in to save the day. We’ll get you started with a CCTV sewer camera inspection to determine where your problems come from. Then, we give you a free repair estimate, followed by available repair options. Whatever the issue, New Flow Plumbing will have your plumbing running perfectly again.

FAQS

What is trenchless sewer repair and how does it work?

Trenchless sewer repair is a non-invasive method for fixing sewer pipes without digging up trenches in your yard or destroying flooring. First used in the U.S. in 1975, it typically requires only one or two small access points (often 4ft x 4ft). The process usually involves cleaning the pipe via hydro-jetting, followed by either inserting an epoxy liner (pipe lining) or pulling a new pipe through the old one (pipe bursting), often completing the job in just one day.

Is trenchless pipe repair cheaper than traditional digging?

While the upfront quote for conventional repair might appear lower (averaging $50-$450 per linear foot), trenchless plumbing is often more cost-effective overall because it eliminates the massive restoration costs associated with digging. Traditional methods can run up to $15,000 due to the need for excavation, while trenchless saves you thousands by avoiding the destruction of driveways, tiles, wood flooring, and landscaping.

How long does cured in place pipe lining last?

Cured-in-place-pipe (CIPP) lining is an extremely durable solution designed to last up to 50 years. This method uses an epoxy-impregnated liner that cures into a new pipe directly inside the old one. Once hardened, it creates a barrier that prevents invasive tree roots and soil from re-entering, effectively giving you a “new” pipe with long-term structural integrity.

Can you replace a sewer line without digging up the yard?

Yes, you can replace a sewer line without digging trenches using a method called pipe bursting. This technique involves digging just two small pits to access the pipe. A winch pulls a new high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe with a bursting head through the damaged line, breaking the old pipe apart while simultaneously replacing it. This environmentally friendly process can replace over 600 feet of pipe without tearing up your property.

What types of pipes can be fixed with trenchless technology?

Trenchless lining is versatile and can be used on residential, commercial, and industrial pipes. New Flow Plumbing can apply this technology to vertical vent stacks, lateral lines running to the street, building mains, branch lines, rainwater leaders, and underground storm lines. It is suitable for pipes that have corroded, cracked, or suffered root intrusion, provided the pipe still has enough structural integrity to be lined.

Does pipe lining reduce the flow capacity of my sewer?

Although pipe lining (CIPP) slightly reduces the diameter of the existing pipe, it actually increases flow capacity. The new epoxy liner creates a much smoother surface than old clay or cast iron pipes, allowing waste and water to slide through more efficiently. New Flow Plumbing ensures the pipe is cleaned to its original diameter before lining, maximizing the efficiency of the new, slick inner surface.

How much does trenchless sewer line replacement cost?

Trenchless plumbing typically costs between $4,000 and $15,000 for an average single-family home. The final price depends on the length of the repair (from a few feet to hundreds), permits, and contractor mobilization. New Flow Plumbing provides free repair estimates after a camera inspection to give you a precise cost, often saving you money compared to the restoration costs required after traditional trenching.

What is the difference between pipe lining and pipe bursting?

Pipe lining (CIPP) repairs an existing pipe by creating a new epoxy pipe inside it, making it ideal for corroded or cracked pipes where the structure remains. Pipe bursting is a replacement method where a machine breaks the old pipe while pulling a new HDPE pipe into its place. Pipe bursting is better for straight, horizontal runs and can even upsize the pipe to increase flow rate, whereas lining is versatile for various pipe configurations.

How do plumbers fix broken pipes under a house slab?

Plumbers use trenchless methods like pipe lining to fix pipes under slabs without chipping away concrete. Access is often gained through a small hole outside or by removing a toilet to use the floor connection. New Flow Plumbing utilizes CCTV cameras to locate the damage and then inserts a liner that cures in place, avoiding the need to rip up expensive wood flooring or unique kitchen tiles inside your home.

Who offers the best trenchless sewer repair near me?

New Flow Plumbing is a leading authority in trenchless solutions, offering comprehensive services from initial diagnosis to final repair. They start with a non-invasive CCTV sewer camera inspection to pinpoint the issue and follow up with a free estimate and custom repair options. Whether you need pipe lining or pipe bursting, New Flow Plumbing ensures the job is done quickly, often in one day, restoring your system to perfect working order.

Arman Grigoryan

Founder & President of New Flow Plumbing

Arman Grigoryan is the founder and president of New Flow Plumbing, proudly serving Los Angeles, Sacramento, and surrounding areas. With extensive experience in plumbing diagnostics, he leads a skilled team specializing in advanced sewer and drain camera inspections to quickly identify problems and deliver lasting solutions. Arman is dedicated to using the latest technology to provide reliable service, honest answers, and dependable results for every customer.