Is trenchless sewer repair cheaper?
As the name suggests, the trenchless technique of sewer line repair doesn’t require digging a trench.
This trenchless plumbing procedure helps fix your drainpipes through the adoption of technology that helps with pipe bursting and pipelining.
With that said, you’ll need to read along for details on what the process entails.
Guide And Cost for Trenchless Sewer Repair
The constant improvement in technology has impacted every area of human endeavor, making tasks much more straightforward.
Plumbing procedures and techniques have also been favorably impacted as seen with trenchless sewer repair. This article seeks to discuss trenchless sewer line repair procedures and costs.
Is Trenchless Sewer Line Repair Procedure for Everyone?
Before we go further, we need to clarify the type of clients this repair procedure fits.
Unfortunately, trenchless sewer line repair won’t serve the needs of every client. This is because every problem presents its unique challenges.
With trenchless sewer repair, limitations may come from your inability to obtain specific permits. Also, how your sewer line is installed or laid will determine whether this repair procedure will work or won’t.
What more? This procedure won’t work with badly damaged sewer lines.
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Inability to Obtain Permits
Trenchless sewer line repair procedures may be restricted in certain municipalities.
In other words, the process isn’t accepted across all locations due to several reasons. This doesn’t take from the fact that trenchless sewer line repair procedures are durable and highly effective.
So, to know if you can take advantage of this repair procedure, you’ll need to find out if you meet certain basic requirements for obtaining a permit.
You could use the help of a contractor or simply check your local building codes. If you don’t qualify, you’ll have to seek alternative solutions.
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Pipe Layout Matters
The layout of your pipework matters a lot.
Trenchless sewer line repair procedures only work with particular layouts. A camera inspection will be necessary to determine the nature of the pipe installation.
The entire drain line is inspected to determine its layout and identify any issues there may be.
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Fixing Badly Damaged Sewer Lines May not be Possible Using this Method
Trenchless sewer line repair procedures aren’t applicable to all sewer line problems. Those with significant damage can’t be fixed using this repair process.
Alternative solutions will be required. Of course, the state of the sewer line is assessed to see if repairs using this method will be possible.
Trenchless Sewer Line Repair Options And Replacement
How does trenchless sewer repair work?
Trenchless sewer line procedures are of 4 types; slip lining, pipe bursting, spray lining & brush coating, and structural pipe lining, AKA cured-in-place-pipe lining.
All of these repair procedures are non-invasive hence don’t require ripping up walls or digging up trenches.
One of the things you must do before this type of sewer line repair is executed is to obtain the necessary construction permits. Requirements may differ from one location to the next.
With this said, let’s look at each of these repair procedures mentioned for more clarity.
We will also be discussing trenchless sewer repair pros and cons.
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Slip Lining
This type of trenchless sewer repair is one you get to pick from. Wider pipes are ideal for this procedure as it involves pulling a smaller diameter pipe into an existing larger line.
The smaller pipe is usually made of HDPE (high-density polyethylene).
Here, it’s evident that pulling a smaller HDPE pipe into a larger tube will lead to a narrowing of the diameter. To complete this type of sewer line repair, the space between the larger pipe and smaller HDPE pipe is filled with grout.
Throughout the process, little to no digging is required. This makes it a clearly beneficial non-invasive way to fix a sewer line. Also, the repair is completed within a much shorter time.
The durability of the HDPE pipe is never in doubt as it has a lifespan of around half a century to about a century-long.
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Pipe Bursting
Pipe bursting is another trenchless sewer line repair option that can serve your needs.
With the help of a winch, an HDPE replacement pipe that’s about the size of the affected pipe or larger is pulled into the old pipe. The replacement pipe is meant to take the place of the old line.
As the name implies, a bursting head helps break up or burst open the old pipe. With this procedure, you get a fast fix to your sewer line issue. It’s a trenchless process known for its durability.
Plus, it doesn’t take a fortune to have it installed.
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Spray Lining & Brush Coating
Another trenchless sewer line repair procedure that can be used to address your problem is the spray lining & brush coating fix.
Here, the structure of the host pipe is coated with resins such as flexible polymer or epoxy, among others. The name suggests that these resins are either sprayed or brushed on the host pipe.
They help with addressing ongoing corrosion while also sealing up all leaky joints, thus preventing the escape of sewer gas.
The choice of this trenchless repair procedure or any other is dependent on the condition of your sewer line. An inspection of the sewer line is necessary before treatment.
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Structural Pipe Lining Aka Cured-In-Place Pipe Lining
This trenchless sewer line repair procedure is highly efficient and serves to install a new pipe lining into the old. Here, an absorbent tube made from fiberglass or felt, etc, is used in combination with a two-part epoxy resin.
Here, the epoxy-soaked liner is inserted into the damaged pipe and inflated. It travels all the way through the pipe and eventually dries up to create a strong pipe.
Trenchless Sewer Line Repair Cost
When it comes to the cost of trenchless sewer line repair, it is quite varied and depends on a number of factors. You might incur a repair fee ranging from as low as $3,000 to as much as $13,000, depending on the size of the job.
Cost factors include pipe location on your property, the length of pipe being restored, the technique or procedure used, pipe depth, and the extent of the damage.
Trenchless sewer line repair procedures and costs include all of the above details. We’ve shown the different trenchless techniques used and the cost implications.