Call 310-299-9284
Why Trenchless Sewer Repair is Worth The Cost
By New Flow Plumbing Inc.|Published On: December 18th, 2020|Categories: Residential Plumbing, Sewer Systems|
What is trenchless sewer repair?
Trenchless sewer repair is a cost-effective, fast, and non-invasive solution to replacing sewer lines. The conventional method involves digging and trenching your home. So you can see how trenchless has become the go-to solution and most requested repair method.
But what about the cost?
Trenchless sewer repair quotes can appear to be higher than the traditional “dig up and replace” methods.
Sometimes, trenchless sewer repair quotes can appear to be higher than the traditional “dig up and replace” methods, especially when dealing with the main pipe under your concrete slab, or the vertical pipes behind your walls. However, when comparing the trenchless quote to the “trenching” quote, you will need to consider the cost of repairing the damage.
The trenching could be through your kitchen, living room, bathroom, or yard, leaving you with thousands of unknown clean-up costs. If your sewer lines need to be repaired using conventional methods, make sure to have a clear understanding of what is going to be torn out.
Read more about: How To Replace The Sewer Line Under The House
What pipes can be repaired using trenchless technology?
- Pipes under homes, commercial buildings, or expensive landscaping
- Cracked pipes that are having trouble with invasive roots and debris
- Leaky pipes
- Corroded pipes
- Vertical stacks in multi-story buildings
- Lateral lines that connect residential homes or commercial buildings to the city sewer or septic tank
- Pipes that are slightly misaligned. (While pipe lining doesn’t realign the pipe, it will smooth out any rough edges that could cause debris to get stuck.)
There are two types of trenchless sewer repair, each of which we breakdown by cost and benefits.
Pipe Bursting
If a pipe is too damaged to be lined, we can use pipe bursting to replace the old pipe. We perform a CCTV sewer camera inspection and see how the pipe is holding up. Next, we find our two access points, one on each end of the pipe typically in your yard. The brand new HDPE (high-density polyethylene) pipe is attached to a winch with a cone-shaped bursting head and pulled through the damaged pipe.
The damaged pipe is broken apart as the new pipe takes its place. We perform another CCTV inspection to ensure everything is completed and then fill in any pits or reinstall any fixtures we removed.
Cost of pipe bursting
Pipe bursting is usually cheaper than pipe lining. The prices run from $60 to $200 per foot. Pipe bursting can replace 600+ feet of pipe.
So to give you a breakdown example;
- 30ft of pipe at the median cost of $130 will be $3,900.
Old sewer lines are prone to tree root invasion.
Benefits of pipe bursting
Pipe bursting can be completed in one working day. It does not require heavy excavation, only using a couple of 4ft x 4ft pits to access the damaged pipe. It’s a permanent solution lasting 50 to 100 years after installation.
It’s cost-effective, meaning you will not have to spend thousands of dollars on repair costs for your home afterward. Due to the fact that your home will not be torn up, you do not need to relocate while the work is being done. Pipe bursting can also be used to replace a functioning pipe with a larger one to increase the flow rate.
Note: Pipe bursting does have a few limitations. It only works on horizontal pipe and straight runs of pipe – which makes it ideal for building mains and lateral lines.
Pipe Lining
Also called structural pipe lining, or cured-in-place lining (CIPP), sewer pipe lining involves a special, epoxy-impregnated liner to create a new pipe directly inside your old one. CIPP is designed to last up to 50 years!
We perform a CCTV inspection to see what’s going on in the pipe. If it is not falling apart and maintains its structural integrity, we can line the pipe. Then we use hydro-jetting to clear out any debris. Next involves the actual lining.
We find two access points and feed in a felt liner (cut for the pipe’s dimensions) saturated with a special epoxy and then insert it into the damaged pipe. A bladder inside the liner is inflated and pushes the epoxy against the walls of the pipe. After the epoxy cures, the bladder is removed, and you now have a brand new pipe within your old one.
Conventional sewer repair involves digging long trenches to remove the old pipe, then lay the new one.
Cost of pipe lining
Pipe lining usually costs $80 to $250 per foot. The price depends on a variety of factors, such as the condition of the pipe, ease of navigation, the amount of cleaning needed prior to the lining, and the accessibility of the pipe.
The total prices do depend on how much of pipe is being replaced, for example;
- 30ft of pipe at the median cost of $165 will be $4,950.
Note: To find out our most accurate prices, give us a call to schedule and inspection an receive a free estimate!
Benefits of pipe lining
CIPP is designed to last up to 50 years and will not trench through your home. After the repair is
complete, you don’t need to worry about paying another contractor thousands of dollars to rebuild destroyed walls or floors. This saves you both money and the stress of living with extensive property damage.
Pipe lining can be used in pipes with multiple bends and turns, increases flow capacity due to the slickness of the material, and can be used in vertical as well as horizontal pipes.
Just like pipe bursting, you will not need to relocate to a hotel or some other temporary home while the work is being done.
Trenchless lining can be used on;
- Residential, commercial, and industrial sewer pipes
- Vertical vent stacks in kitchens, laundry rooms, etc.
- Lateral lines
- Building mains
- Branch lines
- Rainwater leaders
- Underground storm lines
Whatever your problem, we at New Flow Plumbing will assess the situation using a CCTV sewer camera inspection and give you the best solution. Contact us today and receive a quote.
About the Author: New Flow Plumbing Inc.
