Trenchless pipe repair and replacement techniques have rapidly become the first choice for resolving sewer line problems. It is both reliable and fast, with the bonus of not needing to tear up your driveway and yard. Since it is comparatively quick compared to other techniques, it also tends to cost less. Here we will explore the topic in a little more detail to help you to determine if it is the right choice for you.
Conventional Repair:
In the past, the only way to conduct a
sewer line repair or replacement was to excavate the damaged line. This is not usually a straightforward process since the line will be buried under your property to connect your home to the main line connection in the street. This means that with a conventional repair, you may need to have your lawn and driveway excavated to reveal the damaged line. Once the repair has been conducted, the line would be reburied, but most plumbing contractors would not be able to bring your lawn back to its original state. This would mean that you would need to have your yard landscaped, which would involve additional costs. Even if you would be prepared for this level of disruption, you may not have realized the costs involved. This type of repair would require industrial digging equipment and necessitate several days of work crews turning your yard and driveway into a construction site.
The Process of a Trenchless Repair:
The process of a trenchless repair begins with a camera inspection. The technician would run a small video camera into the line to trace the exact source of the problems. This technology eliminates the guesswork from determining a sewer line repair issue. Once the problem is located, two small holes need to be dug to allow access to the repair issue. A hydraulic pump can be used to pull a pipe bursting tool and a new line or a pipe liner through the damaged sewer line. This allows for the pipe to be repaired or the whole section of line to be replaced without excavating the whole line. Once the repair or replacement has been completed, the team will refill the two holes, and the water supply can be reconnected. This will mean that your sewer line is repaired leaving your yard and driveway intact. Also trenchless can be performed with as little as 1 trench if we use epoxy lining.
How Long Will a Trenchless Repair Take?
The specific timeline for a trenchless repair will vary depending on the specific requirements of the repair and the weather conditions. Even though only two small holes are needed, this can still be problematic in winter or other challenging weather conditions. Generally, most trenchless repairs or pipe replacements can be completed in a weekend. The
technician will usually be able to let you know the timescale of the repair before starting any work. Even if the work cannot be completed in a day or two, it is important to remember that it is vital that the work is completed properly the first time. Replacing a sewer line is not a task you want to have to redo, so you may need to be patient, but you can be assured that these techniques will offer more reliable, faster and less disrupted repairs compared to other methods.
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.
