Trenchless pipe lining is a trenchless method for replacing damaged sewer lines. It’s faster, less expensive, and minimizes property damage. However, specific equipment and qualified professionals are required.
Cost
One of the most cost-effective trenchless sewer repair technologies is pipelining cured-in-place pipe (CIPP), or structural pipe lining. This is because it creates a new pipe within your existing pipe, eliminating the need to replace it. Once the tech inserts the liner and treats it with heat or UV light, it hardens and becomes a permanent part of your pipeline. CIPP is designed to last decades and resist corrosion.
Traditional repair and replacement methods can be expensive because they require heavy machinery, digging through the ground, and tearing up your lawns and driveways. Trenchless technology helps you save money, time, and energy by avoiding these costs.
The state of your pipes will dictate whether trenchless technology makes sense. For example, cast iron pipes that are constantly clogged will need to undergo a process called descaling to remove scale buildup. This is a task that traditional methods cannot handle.
Environmental Impact
In addition to being less disruptive for you and your neighbors, trenchless repair is also better for the environment. Traditional excavation methods require heavy machinery that produces a significant amount of greenhouse gases. On the other hand, trenchless sewer pipelining uses equipment with significantly fewer emissions.
Learn more about the location and accessibility of the damaged pipe; one method may be more suitable than the other.
For example, trenchless methods are ideal for pipes under roads, sidewalks, or landscaping. In these cases, a trenchless solution allows plumbers to access the pipes without damaging the surrounding areas. This minimizes environmental damage and saves you money on property restoration costs. Trenchless pipe lining is also an eco-friendly option because it does not cause any contaminants to enter the environment. The resulting rehabilitated pipes will last you for decades to come.
Time
Trenchless sewer pipelining is a faster process than traditional methods. But it can still take days, depending on the size and length of the line that needs to be repaired. The location of the damaged pipe may also add time to the job. For example, the contractors must dig an access point if the pipes are buried under landscaping or a pool.
The cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) method is one of the fastest trenchless options. It can be completed in as little as two days. This includes a day for cleaning, a day for lining, and a day for reinstatement.
The other trenchless option is pipe bursting. This method uses a flexible pipe lined with resin to replace your existing pipe. It is blown or pulled through the old pipe and inflated, forming a new pipe within the old one. The new pipe can be larger than your existing one, adding greater flow capacity. This is an excellent choice for older pipes that are failing.
Accessibility
For decades, repairing or replacing a damaged sewer line required digging. That’s a labor-intensive and time-consuming process that can cause significant damage to your lawn and property.
Trenchless methods are significantly less disruptive. They can be done in a fraction of the time it takes traditional methods, and they don’t require excavation, which can save you money and reduce the risk of environmental damage.
One of the most common trenchless sewer repair techniques is cured-in-place pipe (CIPP). Your plumber feeds a felt tube saturated with epoxy into your existing pipe. The technician then inflates the lining and treats it with heat or UV light to cure it in place.
Another popular trenchless method is pipe bursting. This involves pulling a new pipe through your old one, breaking up the old pipe, and leaving a gap for the new line. Pipe bursting is typically used for more severe repairs or replacements. It can also replace a single, contiguous section of pipe.
