Avoiding property damage when dealing with major sewer line problems is a significant concern for most homeowners. It used to be that correcting sewer and water line issues meant dealing with damaged landscaping, busted concrete, and other costly property damage.
Advances in plumbing technology now offer a minimally invasive way to replace or repair damaged pipes. Trenchless technology for water and sewer line repair is now becoming more widely available to both residential and commercial property owners.
What is Trenchless Plumbing Repair?
As the name suggests, trenchless sewer or pipe replacement allows plumbing technicians to replace a sewer line without creating a large invasive trench. Instead of digging up an entire yard to locate an issue, specially trained technicians use a special camera to locate and determine the cause of plumbing problems. Once the issue is located, repairs can be made without causing significant damage to the surrounding landscape.
Trenchless technology uses modern techniques and equipment to install or replace underground pipes. There are two primary methods of trenchless sewer replacements: pipe lining and pipe bursting.
- With pipelining, a new pipe is installed inside the interior of the existing sewer line by inserting an epoxy-coated sleeve into the sewer drain. The sleeve is then inflated and allowed to cure, which creates a new pipe within the old one.
- With the pipe bursting method, a device is inserted into one end of the sewer line which breaks up the old pipe as it moves forward. Attached to the back of the device is a new, flexible sewer line that instantly occupies the space the old sewer line once took.
The most noticeable benefit for property owners is the protection of yards, landscaping, driveways and other outdoor areas. Using only two main entry holes, there is far less digging involved in trenchless plumbing repairs. But there are other important reasons that make trenchless technology a smart repair option.
6 Reasons Trenchless Is a Smart Sewer Repair Solution
1. Faster
Traditional pipe repair can take several days or even weeks to complete. Depending on the extent of the excavation needed, workers are forced to dig trenches using an excavator and hand digging with shovels. With trenchless repairs, most jobs can be completed in less than a day, allowing homeowners to resume their normal activities quickly.
2. Long-Lasting
The pipes used for trenchless pipe repairs are long-lasting and designed to improve water flow. The materials used reduce clogging, tree root invasion, leaks, and corrosion. Pipes lined with epoxy resin can easily last up to 50 year or longer.
3. Safer
With minimal digging, trenchless repairs are safer than traditional repair methods. Trench and excavation injuries are common and can be deadly if underground utility lines are damaged. In addition, digging can release toxic gasses and allow harmful substances to be released into the environment.
4. Environmentally Friendly
Trenchless pipe repairs rely on the existing pipe to complete the job. Whether you opt for pipelining or pipe bursting services, there’s no need to destroy your landscaping and remove old pipe. Trenchless repairs allow the work to be done without hauling away and disposing of large pieces of pipe making the process far more environmentally friendly than traditional sewer repairs.
5. Preserves Your Landscaping and Outdoor Spaces
Many homeowners have sewer lines running under beautiful and expensive landscaping, patios, and other outdoor structures. Digging up sewer lines can ruin yards, trees, and landscaping. Trenchless repair only requires one or two small holes to reach the sewer lines, significantly reducing the damage to landscaping and outdoor structures.
6. Less Expensive
Because it requires less labor and time, trenchless repair methods are often more affordable. With traditional pipe repair methods, once the plumbing or sewer work is complete, you still face the task of repairing the damage caused by excavation. Trenchless repair methods don’t cause extensive damage to landscaping, trees, or concrete work. When you factor in the repair costs, trenchless sewer repairs often turn out to be far less expensive than traditional repair methods.
Pros and Cons of Sewer Line Repair Methods
When choosing between traditional or trenchless repair options, there are several pros and cons to consider. Damage to landscaping and other outdoor structures caused by traditional trenching methods can significantly increase the total cost of plumbing repairs - often by thousands of dollars. Trenchless pipe repairs offer a cleaner, easier, safer, and more affordable way to repair or replace damaged sewer pipes.
There are a few rare occasions where it might be too late to repair a pipe using trenchless technology. If a sewer line has collapsed or is severely corroded, traditional repair methods may be necessary. That's why working with a professional plumbing contractor is important. They’ll be able to quickly locate the problem and make the right repair recommendations for your particular situation.
Trust a Professional Plumber for Sewer Line Repairs
The professionals at Simply Green Plumbing, Sewer & Rooter have the training and experience to handle all of your plumbing needs. If you’re experiencing sewer line problems, we are pleased to offer trenchless technology repair to eliminate property damage and reduce the time associated with sewer line replacement. Call us at (408) 716-1686 or contact us online to schedule an appointment.
Our technicians have over 30 years of plumbing experience. We understand that plumbing emergencies can happen at any time, that’s why we offer emergency plumbing services at no extra cost.