Trenchless Sewer Line Repair

What is a Trenchless Sewer Replacement?

Trenchless sewer repair or replacement uses a “pipe bursting” method to successfully replace your sewer pipe without removing it from underground. The process is surprisingly simple and non-invasive, following these steps:

1.  Video inspection and CIPP preparation
   First, we snake a fiber optic video inspection camera through your sewer pipe to discover the source of the problem, where it’s located, and where we can most easily access it. This inspection allows us to measure your pipe and prepare a properly sized “Cured In Place Pipe” or CIPP. CIPP is a quick-hardening, long-lasting polyethylene pipe liner that effectively replaces your existing pipe.
2. Access point creation
   Next, we’ll create two small access points near the beginning and end of the damaged section of the sewer pipe. We try to create these access points in the shallowest area possible, typically either in your basement or outside your yard. These holes don’t need to be much wider than the pipe itself.
3. Pipe bursting
   At this point, our experts insert a long cable with an expandable “bursting” head into the first access point. After inserting the bursting head into your sewer pipe, your plumbing team will expand it and push it forward. This action breaks apart the old pipe and pushes it out of the way to make way for the replacement pipe. The cable’s head can be safely extracted from the pipe by contracting it again and pushing it out of the second access point.
4. CIPP insertion
   A cable with the CIPP pipe liner follows the bursting head through the damaged pipe. As the cable pushes through, a new polyethylene alternative pipe liner replaces the old pipe. When the cable reaches the second access point, we simply extract it while leaving the CIPP pipe liner behind. 
5. Curing and follow-up inspection
   Once the CIPP liner is in place, it takes some time to cure. In the meantime, our experts will conduct a follow-up video inspection to ensure we placed the CIPP correctly and that your new pipe cures according to schedule.
   When we’re done, you’ll have a new, durable polyethylene replacement that will perform for years to come. And your yard will remain intact.