How Much Does a Trenchless Sewer Repair Cost?

Using trenchless sewer repair methods on your broken pipes may seem pricier at first, but it could save you thousands of dollars in the long run.

By being less disruptive than traditional trench work, you avoid plenty of structural and environmental damages that need to be repaired after your pipes!

Interested to know more about these trenchless techniques and how much they cost? Read on!

What Is the Average Cost of Trenchless Sewer Line Repair?

The two most common ways of repairing main sewer lines (that don't involve traditional dig-and-replace repairs) are the trenchless pipe lining method and the pipe bursting method.

Lining for small-scale pipes is also typically available for sewer lines that are 50 feet or less in length.

The average price of each trenchless sewer repair method is listed below. The total cost will consist of how many feet of material you need for the entire process:

Pipe Bursting - $3,500 - $20,000 or $60 - $250 per foot
Pipe Lining - $4,000 - $20,000 or $80 - $250 per foot
Small-Scale Pipe Lining - $3,000 - $,4000

These estimates may or may not include the additional cost incurred by other services on top of the sewer pipe repair (e.g., camera inspection).

Factors That Affect the Trenchless Sewer Repair Cost

The entire repair process for sewer pipes can cost a LOT.

If you're interested, you can check out our main guide on trenchless sewer repair for more information on procedures and why they can cost so much.

In the meantime, here are some factors that usually affect the final price when repairing a damaged pipe using trenchless methods:

#1 Location of the Damaged Pipe

Pipe location generally dictates how difficult it is to get to the old pipe to be able to fix it or install a new pipe.

Though trenchless techniques are less invasive than the typical dig-and-replace, some pits usually need to be dug to act as access points.

The labor, equipment, and other materials needed for this will naturally add to repair costs.

#2 Length and Make (Size and Shape) of the Pipe

A contractor has to assess damaged pipes before he can start fixing them. If a broken pipe is long and has many bends, it will be more difficult to correct.

A longer pipe will need more material to fix the problem. Conversely, pipes that are smaller in diameter are more difficult to unearth or interact with and may cost more.

If the sewer pipe has lots of bends, the lining may be trickier to work with.

#3 Plumbing Service

Apart from sewer pipe repair, there may be other plumbing issues that need mending. The contractor should address these so there will be no issues with the repaired pipe.

Sewage backup, for example, might not be fixed by new piping and needs to be professionally unclogged. This will likely raise the cost.

#4 Trenchless Methods Used

Depending on the condition of your existing pipe, it may require either pipe bursting or pipe lining.

These repairs have different prices, so they will definitely affect the final cost.

Check out these articles to learn more about trenchless pipe lining and trenchless pipe installation methods and their respective pricing factors.

Additional Trenchless Sewer Line Replacement Costs

Some additional costs are added to the flat fee of sewer repair. Keep these in mind:

Pipe Patch Technology

This service is usually only applicable for small-scale pipe lining where a new line is hardened into the old one.

This repair makes old pipes new again because any leaks and damages are blocked and reinforced.

Camera Inspection

Some contractors conduct a video inspection by inserting a camera and looking into the piping.

They may or may not charge extra for sewer camera inspection on top of the sewer pipe repair cost.

Hydro-Jetting & Drain Cleaning

Hydro-jetting is a service where they clean the casings to fix or avoid your clogged drain.

It might be worth looking into if you have an old sewer or drainage pipe that isn't getting replaced any time soon.

Trenchless vs. Traditional Sewer Line Repair Costs

Here's a look at what you may need to pay for different methods:

Trenchless Sewer Line Repairs

Generally, methods like trenchless pipe lining, pipe bursting, and even cured-in-place pipe installation have repair costs that are measured by linear foot.

You can check the above information for the differences in price for each method.

Small repair jobs cost less, but the job's complexity may make it pricier, especially if you're trying to avoid damaging your street, lawn, or sidewalk.

In terms of time efficiency, these fixes typically take only a few hours.

Traditional Repairs

Traditional methods (i.e., dig-and-replace repairs) usually cost $50-$250 per foot. Factors such as pipe location, and labor costs, are already factored in.

This may look cheaper at first glance, but that's because it doesn't cover repairs for damages that need to be done for the excavation.

Re-landscaping is an issue when your patio, flower bed, and every shrub, tree, concrete, wall, floor, etc., may need to be torn down or uprooted.

This adds significantly more time to the process since you'll need to repair and replant.

Are Trenchless Sanitary Sewer Repairs More Affordable Than Traditional Repair Methods?

Trenchless sewer line replacement costs are typically lower than traditional repairs since they are less invasive.

With traditional methods, homeowners pay for any damage to property that needs to be dismantled or dug through.

However, those with shallow pipes can expect a lower bill if they go the traditional route!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here's some more sought-after information on the repair costs of a sewer pipe using trenchless technology:

How Much Does It Cost to Sleeve a Sewer Line?

The total bill when fixing an entire line in a sewer system with sleeve lining varies. It will ultimately depend on the factors discussed above and the assessment of your contractor.

Using lining is just a bit more expensive than bursting, but the epoxy resin usually lasts long with minimal upkeep.

You may also want to learn more about trenchless water line replacement since sewer lines are not the only pipes that could run into trouble!

What Is the Most Affordable Trenchless Sewer Repair Method?

The trenchless repair process that costs the least is small-scale pipe lining, but this only applies to special cases where the pipeline measures below 50 feet in total length.

You can expect costs for repairing a line in an average household to be higher than $4,000.

What Is the Most Expensive Trenchless Sewer Repair Method?

Among the trenchless repairs discussed, fitting lining inside the pipeline is likely the most expensive.

Though seemingly more expensive, a trenchless repair will save a lot of money on mending damages that an open trench excavation would cause.

Conclusion

Between the two sewer line repair or replacement methods, when the big picture is considered, a trenchless pipe repair is generally less expensive than a traditional repair.

Trenchless techniques employ a restoration style that is less invasive to the current structures that surround sewer pipelines, allowing you to save on repair costs for these items.

However, a few key factors determine the total bill for these restorations. When getting a quote, make sure your contractor explains to you what each item is and why it is priced that way!

Even though it costs less, trenchless repairs still need a lot of money to be shelled out. But if you ask us, these methods make worthwhile investments if you want pipes with longevity!