Traditional sewer repair meant digging a trench across your entire yard, destroying landscaping, driveways, and sometimes hardwood floors. Trenchless technology changed all that.
What Is Trenchless Sewer Repair?
Trenchless methods repair or replace damaged sewer pipes from the inside, using just one or two small access points rather than open excavation.
There are two primary methods:
Cured-in-Place Pipe Lining (CIPP)
A flexible liner saturated with epoxy resin is pulled into the damaged pipe and inflated against the walls. Once cured (using hot water, steam, or UV light), it creates a new pipe inside the old one.
- Best for: Cracks, minor root infiltration, joint failures
- Result: A smooth, seamless pipe with a 50-year expected lifespan
- Diameter reduction: ~10% (rarely significant)
Pipe Bursting
A bursting head is pulled through the old pipe, shattering it outward while simultaneously pulling a new HDPE pipe behind it.
- Best for: Severely damaged or collapsed pipe sections
- Result: A brand-new pipe (same or larger diameter)
- Limitation: Requires some soil displacement space around the pipe
Trenchless vs. Traditional: The Numbers
| Factor | Traditional | Trenchless |
|---|---|---|
| Excavation | Full trench | 1–2 access pits |
| Yard damage | Significant | Minimal |
| Landscaping replacement | $500–$3,000+ extra | Not needed |
| Time | 3–5 days | 1–2 days |
| Typical cost | $4,000–$12,000 | $3,500–$9,000 |
Is Trenchless Always Better?
Not always. Trenchless works best when:
- The pipe has structural integrity (not fully collapsed)
- There’s no need to upsize the pipe significantly
- Landscaping, hardscaping, or structures are over the pipe
We always run a camera inspection first to confirm candidacy. A fully collapsed or severely misaligned pipe may still require traditional methods.
What to Expect During the Job
- Camera inspection — Confirms condition and identifies all damage points
- Cleaning — Hydro jetting clears the pipe before lining or bursting
- Repair — The lining or bursting process, typically 4–8 hours
- Final inspection — Post-repair camera confirms success
- Restoration — Small access pits patched; yard essentially untouched