The Benefits of Trenchless Sewer Line Replacement
Once upon a time, replacing a sewer line was one of the most challenging and costly
residential plumbing jobs. To replace a damaged underground pipe, it would require power digging equipment for large scale excavations of your yard and driveway. This was not only very messy, but it would take days to complete, and once the repair was finished, you would be left to try and repair your landscaping to its previous state. Fortunately, trenchless sewer line replacement techniques have since been developed, which can make repairs much simpler. While it may appear to be a little more costly, here we will explore just some of the benefits offered with this type of repair.
The Fundamentals of Trenchless Line Replacement:
As the name suggests, this type of repair allows for sewer or water lines to be replaced without the need to dig a massive trench. The techniques were developed from the lateral digging procedures originally used in mining. This method was adopted by civil engineers to lay electrical cables and pipes without disrupting city streets.
The trenchless line replacement technique uses hydraulic equipment to draw a pipeliner in older pipes, which is then expanded to shatter the damaged pipe, thus replacing the old pipe with the new liner. This procedure requires digging of only a couple of small holes. In a typical sewer line replacement, the technician would only require one hole near where the sewer line leaves the property to connect to the municipal line. Inside the property, the new pipe liner is inserted into the line and the hydraulic equipment is used to draw the liner through the pipe to set it in place. Finally, a pipe burster is used to expand the new lining to shatter the old pipe. The hole used can then be filled and relandscaped.
The Benefits of Trenchless Line Replacement:
Beyond the lack of damage to your yard, there are many benefits associated with trenchless line replacement. The most obvious is that it saves money. Since the process does not require digging equipment to uncover the sewer line, you won’t need to pay for the necessary labor and equipment. Typical trenchless repairs can be accomplished in less than one day, which saves several days of labor costs.
Trenchless techniques also offer greater convenience for the homeowner. With traditional methods, you may lose the use of your driveway for days. Not only would you be faced with the prospect of having your driveway dug up, but it would be uncovered for days during the repair and relandscaping. This would severely impact access to your property, so even everyday tasks such as getting your groceries would be much more inconvenient, as you would need to carry everything up to the house.
Trenchless line replacement also offers a higher quality repair solution. The pipe liner is typically made from polyethylene piping, which is one of the best quality materials. This is free from joints, which reduces the risk of cracks, invasion by tree roots and offsetting, which can cause serious plumbing issues in the future.
By Giovanni Longo President Flood Brothers Plumbing
Giovanni Longo is a 3rd generation master plumber who has been practicing his craft and trade in the greater Los Angeles area for well over a decade and a half. A plumbing and hydraulics-engineering innovator, Giovanni’s particular world-class expertise focuses on dealing with challenging sewer system designs as well as resolving complex commercial and residential draining issues. As a certified Flood Mitigation expert, he is also well versed in a wide variety of water damage and remediation solutions.
