There was once a time when sewer repair was a daunting home project that required tremendous amounts of labor, time, and money. Today, sewer replacement methods have never been easier or more affordable. Trenchless pipe repair and drain cleaning methods first came on the residential market about 10 to 15 years ago, yet to this day around 78% of Americans are still unfamiliar with trenchless sewer replacement options according to an Angie’s List poll. Here are three common methods that don’t require any digging to replace a pipe or perform a drain cleaning.

Pipe Bursting

Pipe bursting is a process in which hydraulic power expands a new pipe to actually burst and replace an existing pipe. Pipe bursting is most effective for pipes with an inner diameter between four and 24 inches. With pipe bursting, there is no need to excavate the previous pipe, leaving the customer’s yard in nearly identical condition.

HDPE Pipe Boring

High-density polyethylene piping can be used in conjunction with directional boring to install piping at a wide-range of depths. The HDPE piping is a strong plastic that prevents leaks and tree-root-invasions better than traditional white PVC piping. HDPE pipes have a longer life expectancy than most sewer lines and can be installed with minimum digging.

CIPP
For those customers who are not looking to replace their whole sewer line, a cured-in-place-pipe (CIPP) may be the right option. The CIPP is a seamless pipe-within-a-pipe that has the capacity to replace segments of pipe ranging in diameter from four to 110 inches. CIPP has the same life expectancy of a brand new replacement pipe, averaging 50 or more years of reliable flow.

Pipe bursting cost can range between 30 to 50% more than conventional digging, although the savings are when you consider the added cost of restoring one’s lawn. As more and more trenchless sewer repair methods are developed, the demand steadily rises: nearly half of the $3.4 billion dollar market for sewer and drain cleaning and maintenance comes from trenchless methods alone. So for those looking for a low-impact option for sewer repair and cleaning, consider trenchless methods to clean and repair your pipes every 40 years.