Traditional methods for pipe repair can be invasive, messy, and time-consuming. In the old days, repairing or replacing a pipe generally meant excavating your yard and damaging or destroying grass, gardens, and landscaping in the process. This was the reality even for small repairs or to replace just a small section of buried pipes.
Fortunately, trenchless plumbing offers a modern, less disruptive solution for repairing or replacing pipes that requires minimal digging. That not only makes it less invasive, but has reduced the cost of what used to be a much more expensive and disruptive undertaking. Let’s dive into what trenchless plumbing is, how it works, and when it might be the right method for your pipe repair or replacement service needs.
Trenchless plumbing is a technique used to repair or replace underground pipes without the need for extensive excavation work. Unlike conventional methods that require large trenches, trenchless technology minimizes disruption to your yard, driveway, or landscaping. This innovative approach is particularly useful for sewer line repairs and replacements. This approach saves time, reduces costs, and prevents unnecessary damage to landscaping or structures, and there are a few different ways to do it.
How Does Trenchless Plumbing Work?
Trenchless plumbing relies on advanced equipment to restore pipes from the inside or install new ones with minimal disturbance. The process typically involves small access points at the beginning and end of the affected pipe. From there, various methods can be used depending on the specific issue and condition of the existing pipe.
Common Trenchless Plumbing Methods
There are two primary techniques used in trenchless plumbing: pipe lining and pipe bursting. Each method addresses different types of pipe problems while avoiding the need for large-scale excavation.
Pipe Lining: Creating a New Pipe Within the Old One
Pipe lining, also known as cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining, involves inserting a flexible, resin-coated liner into the damaged pipe. Once in place, the liner is inflated, allowing the resin to bond to the interior walls of the old pipe. After the resin cures, it forms a seamless, durable new pipe within the existing one.
Pipe lining can:
- Repair cracks, leaks, and minor corrosion
- Improve pipe flow and durability
- Work well for sewer and drain lines
- Require only a small access point
This method is ideal for pipes that are structurally intact but have minor damage or wear. For severe damage or pipes that are entirely broken or collapsed, pipe bursting is a more suitable method. We’ll discuss it next.
Pipe Bursting: Replacing Old Pipes Without Excavation
Pipe bursting is used when an old pipe is too damaged to be repaired with lining. This method involves breaking apart the existing old or damaged pipe while simultaneously pulling a new pipe into place.
Pipe bursting is:
- Ideal for pipes with severe damage or total collapse
- A way to replace old materials with more durable options
- A method that requires minimal surface disruption
- Suitable for sewer, water, and gas lines
Pipe bursting provides a long-lasting replacement solution. Here are more details on the process:
A powerful hydraulic machine pulls a bursting head through the old pipe, fracturing it and pushing the fragments into the surrounding soil. Simultaneously, a new, durable pipe is pulled into place behind the bursting head. This seamless installation method allows the new pipe to take the place of the old one with minimal disruption to the surrounding area. Pipe bursting is commonly used to replace pipes made of materials like clay, cast iron, or concrete.
Advantages of Trenchless Plumbing
Trenchless plumbing offers multiple benefits compared to traditional pipe repair and replacement methods. Homeowners can avoid extensive digging while getting a high-quality, long-lasting solution for their plumbing issues.
Trenchless pipe repair benefits:
- Faster than traditional excavation methods
- Less damage to landscaping, driveways, and sidewalks
- Durable materials that improve pipe longevity
- Cost-effective by reducing labor and restoration expenses
- Environmentally friendly with minimal disruption to the surrounding soil
By choosing trenchless plumbing, homeowners can get their plumbing systems restored with minimal inconvenience. However, in some cases, trenchless methods aren’t possible.
Situations Where Trenchless Plumbing Isn’t the Best Option
While trenchless plumbing is generally effective for most outdoor pipe repair situations, it’s not suitable for every scenario. If a pipe has severely shifted or collapsed to the point that it can’t accommodate the lining or bursting process, traditional excavation might be necessary. Additionally, trenchless repairs may not be feasible if the existing pipe is made from certain materials, like Orangeburg (a type of fiber).
Orangeburg pipes are essentially made from layers of wood pulp surrounded by tar, and were used during World War II when metal was harder to come by. They stopped being used in the early 1970s, so they’re thankfully rare. However, in some cases, Orangeburg pipes can still be replaced using a trenchless pipe lining process.
The main limitation of trenchless methods is that they require adequate access points at either end of the affected pipe. If there are obstacles like buildings or other infrastructure in the way, such as buried fiber optic cables, alternative methods might be more appropriate.
When Is Trenchless Plumbing the Right Choice?
Not all plumbing issues can be fixed with trenchless methods, but many situations make it the best option. Trenchless repairs work well for pipes that are cracked, leaking, or slightly corroded. Pipe bursting is ideal for cases where the existing pipe has collapsed.
Factors like pipe material, location, and the extent of damage will determine whether trenchless plumbing is a suitable solution. A professional plumbing inspection using video pipe inspection technology can help assess the condition of underground pipes and identify the best course of action.
How Long Do Trenchless Repairs Last?
Trenchless pipe repairs and replacements are designed to last for decades. The materials used, such as epoxy resin for pipe lining or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) for pipe bursting, are highly durable and resistant to corrosion. In many cases, trenchless repairs can extend the lifespan of a pipe system by 50 years or more, essentially making your pipes as good as new.
How Much Does Trenchless Plumbing Cost?
The cost of trenchless plumbing depends on several factors, including the extent of the repair, pipe length, and method used. While trenchless solutions can have a higher upfront cost than traditional methods, they usually save money in the long run by reducing labor, excavation, and property restoration expenses. These end up being a large portion of the pipe repair cost using old-style trench digging techniques.
Choose Professional Trenchless Plumbing Services
Trenchless plumbing is a smart solution for homeowners looking to repair or replace drain lines, sewer lines, and other types of underground pipes without the hassle of excavation wrecking your landscaping and yard. Whether you need pipe lining for minor repairs or pipe bursting for a full replacement, our team can help.
At Twin Peaks Plumbing, Heating & Gas, we provide professional pipe repair along with the full range of other plumbing services in Nanaimo, British Columbia, for reliable, long-lasting solutions for your home’s plumbing system.
Contact us today to schedule an inspection and discuss your options, and our team will see if a trenchless plumbing repair or replacement technique is a good fit for your needs.
