Trenchless Technology

How Does Trenchless Pipe Lining Work?

If you dread of the idea of workers tearing up your landscaping to get to your damaged sewer line, then consider the newest method for sewer repair, trenchless pipe lining. It has been around for over a decade and plumbing contractors know all about it. But not too many homeowners are aware they have this option.

Any type of sewer line problem is a major headache for a family. When the line is clogged and backed up, you can’t use the toilet, shower, kitchen sink, dishwasher or laundry washer. Everyday life comes to a halt.

Here is a look at how it works and a few of its benefits.

Pipe Lining Basics

Trenchless Sewer.Pipe lining is one of two methods of trenchless technology for sewer line repair. Also called cured-in-place pipes, or CIPP, pipe lining uses a flexible tube that is coated with resin. This is inserted into the damaged sewer line and the tube is inflated.

As the resin hardens, it forms a solid pipe-within-a-pipe. This new pipe resists corrosion and is jointless, both excellent features that add to its lifespan. Joints on standard pipes can leak and are the main entry point for tree roots.

Since your old pipe now encases a new pipe, the diameter of your pipe is smaller. But experts say the tiny amount, about a quarter of an inch, doesn’t appreciably reduce the pipe’s capacity and the amount of wastewater that flows out of your house.

The Other Trenchless Method

Pipe bursting is the other trenchless method. With this technique, a new pipe is drawn through the damaged pipe. At the same time, the old pipe is fractured in an outward direction, which is the reason for the term “bursting.”

Pipe lining can’t be done on a pipe if it has collapsed. But pipe bursting does work in those situations.

The Problem with Conventional Sewer Line Repair

With standard sewer line repair, the contractor must dig multiple trenchless throughout your yard. This lets him find the sewer pipe, locate and identify the exact cause of the problem and fix it. He has no other way to accomplish the repair.

That means you are left with a destroyed landscape, with flower, shrubs and even tree removed if they are in the way. In some cases, the contractor also needs to cut through patios, driveways or walkways to get to the pipe.

Restoring the landscaping to the way it looked before the repair costs time, money and labor. Hiring a contractor to repair the patio and other hardscapes is an additional expense.

In addition, many municipalities require the homeowner to foot the bill for digging up the street in front of his house where the sewer pipe connects to the city sewer system. That also means paying to have traffic redirected and for any damage to city property.

The Advantages of Pipe Lining

With pipe lining, just a single hole must be dug to gain access to the sewer line. That means you don’t have to watch while workers dig up your front yard and demolish your landscape design.

You don’t have to pay for repairing hardscapes like driveways and patios. You don’t have to worry about digging up the city street and all the related expenses.

Though trenchless pipe lining can be more expensive upfront than standard sewer repair, it is considered a cost-effective alternative. You are spared all the additional fees for restoration. These are substantial, often as much or more than the basic sewer line repair.

Trenchless pipe lining is also quicker and less messy. You have your home and yard back to normal more quickly.

Wesley Nolan