Sewer Line Repair
Trenchless sewer repair: lining and pipe bursting
Trenchless sewer repair replaces or relines a buried sewer through one or two small access pits instead of a trench along the whole line. The two main methods are pipe lining, which cures a new resin pipe inside the old one, and pipe bursting, which pulls a new pipe through while breaking the old one apart. Neither works on every line.
- Independent licensed local plumbers
- The plumber gives you a price before work starts
- Free referral, no obligation
Trenchless methods exist because the pipe is rarely the expensive part of a sewer replacement. The cost is in what sits on top of it: a driveway, a mature tree, a retaining wall, a finished basement floor or the street. If the line runs under bare lawn at a shallow depth, an open trench can be the simpler and cheaper job.
Whether a line qualifies is decided on camera. Lining needs a host pipe that still holds its shape. Bursting needs a path the new pipe can be pulled along and enough room at each end for a pit. A collapsed section, a severe sag or a line with many connections may rule one or both out.
When you need trenchless sewer repair
- The camera shows cracks, root intrusion at joints or corrosion along most of the line
- The sewer runs under a driveway, patio, large tree or other surface that is costly to restore
- The pipe is still round and continuous enough to line, or straight enough to burst
- You want a new line with few or no joints for roots to enter
How it is done and the choices involved
- 1
Cured-in-place pipe lining (CIPP)
A resin-soaked liner is pulled or inverted into the cleaned pipe, expanded against the walls and cured into a rigid pipe within the old one. It slightly reduces the inside diameter and follows the old pipe's shape, so it seals cracks and joints but does not correct a sag.
- 2
Pipe bursting
A cone-shaped head is pulled through the old pipe, breaking it outward while towing a new continuous plastic pipe behind it. The result is a full-size new pipe, and bursting can sometimes step up a size. It needs a pit at each end.
- 3
Sectional point repair
When the damage is one short section, a short liner patch or a small excavation at that spot can fix it without replacing the whole line.
- 4
Open-trench replacement
Still the right answer for collapsed pipe, a line with the wrong slope, or shallow pipe under open ground. It is also the only way to correct a belly.
What affects the cost of trenchless sewer repair
Prices vary by market and job. The pro gives you a price before starting; these factors drive it.
- Length and diameter of the line
- Depth and what has to be dug for the access pits
- Method: lining, bursting or a sectional repair
- How much cleaning and root or scale removal is needed before lining
- Branch connections that have to be reopened after lining
- Permit, inspection and any work in the street or sidewalk
Trenchless Sewer Repair FAQ
Is pipe lining as good as a new sewer pipe?
A properly installed liner is a structural pipe with no joints along its length, and it stops root entry through the old joints. It depends on preparation: the old pipe has to be cleaned thoroughly and still hold its shape. It will not fix a sag or a collapsed section.
Can any sewer line be repaired without digging?
No. Collapsed pipe, a line with a serious belly or back-pitch, and some lines with sharp bends cannot be lined or burst. A camera inspection decides it. Even trenchless work normally needs at least one small excavation.
Does trenchless sewer repair need a permit?
In most jurisdictions sewer repair or replacement needs a permit and an inspection whatever the method, and work reaching into the street usually needs additional approval. Some jurisdictions restrict which lining products are accepted. The plumber normally handles this.
Should I get a camera inspection before agreeing to trenchless repair?
Yes. Ask to see the footage and have the plumber point out the defects and explain why the chosen method suits them. Keep a copy so a second company can quote from the same recording.
Sources
- Call 811 before you dig, Common Ground Alliance
Part of sewer line repair
Trenchless Sewer Repair is one job within sewer line repair. The main page covers the warning signs, the full process and what you can safely do yourself.
Sewer Line Repair by city
Ownership rules, permits and pipe materials differ from city to city. Local guides:
Somewhere else? Browse plumbing conditions in all 50 states.
Need help with trenchless sewer repair?
Call (833) 520-4758 to reach an available local pro.