As stipulated by law, a home or city sewer system is included in EVERY building and property to manage liquid waste, prevent flooding, and provide a healthy living environment.
However, sewer problems, such as slow-moving drains or gurgling pipes, inevitably arise.
As these problems surface, they undoubtedly affect everyone's lives and their surroundings. This is where sewer repair methods come in!
Let's get to know one of the methods that have slowly gained popularity: trenchless sewer repair. We'll also look at its benefits, downsides, and different types.
What Is a Trenchless Sewer Repair?
Trenchless sewer repair is an environment-friendly method used to fix sewer-related issues without extensive digging to facilitate a convenient, faster, and cleaner repair process.
With trenchless sewer repair methods being done quickly, there will be no need for a long lull for tourism, business, and state operations, even when the sewers are at their worst.
This method was made possible by the extraordinary mind of an agricultural engineer, Eric Wood. Wood primarily introduced the process of cured-in-place pipe lining, which we will delve into more in later sections.
The Benefits of Trenchless Sewer Repair
Wood's ingenuity has made a positive ripple effect to this day, as trenchless sewer repair offers the following benefits:
- Convenience - A professional can do trenchless sewer repair without extensive trench digging, which means fewer human resources and less time designated to get the job done. This repair pace does not disrupt a place's tourism or its people's daily routine for long.
- Cost-efficiency - Without having to break walls and dig construction around the sewer pipe to solve plumbing problems, there will be fewer people to hire, less equipment to use, and less damage to any existing property. These make trenchless sewer repair far less expensive but with more efficient results than traditional methods.
- Environmental-friendliness - The nature of trenchless sewer repair is less intrusive, which makes it safer for natural landscaping. It also creates a more sanitary sewer system.
The Downsides of Trenchless Sewer Repair
However, with the pros come the cons of trenchless sewer repair methods. These drawbacks include the following:
- Demands expertise - You can't just do DIY repairs or hire people skilled in traditional methods to do the job when looking to do trenchless pipe repair. This method requires and demands specific knowledge from professionals who have studied and practiced the art of trenchless pipe repair. When finding an expert in this method of repair, you must keep these in mind:
- Check for licenses
- Check certifications
- Check their background on using equipment for the job
- Demands special permits - Aside from requiring skillful individuals, trenchless pipe repair also needs special codes and licenses in the United States. It is always important to obey the law on buildings or guidelines for contractors in every place you're in. This reminder is rooted in the fact that when you do, you can prevent halting in the middle of operations.
What Are the Different Types of Trenchless Pipe Repair?
Trenchless repair isn't limited to a single catch-all method.
It entails different processes, such as the pipe bursting method, the cured-in-place pipe lining, slip lining, and spray or brush coating.
Here are some of those methods in detail:
1.) Pipe Bursting
Pipe bursting is a repair process that involves breaking and expanding the old sewer line and embedding or simultaneously replacing newer high-density polyethylene pipe lining using a bursting head.
The HDPE pipe lining is a flexible polymer sturdy enough to endure the strong flow capacity of water and other environmental conditions.
Bursting pipes entails digging an entry point for the bursting head and the exit point for the damaged pipe.
2.) Cured-in-Place Pipelining
A flexible liner is inserted and inflated into the damaged drainage pipes in this trenchless repair process. However, there are two initial steps to do before getting to that part:
- Cleaning debris and roots on the pipe lining
- Setting the groundwork for a bypass system in case the need for rerouting arises
After that, insertion and inflation begin. The new sewer line is then exposed to heat for curing. Professionals will then remove the bypass system and do final inspections to ensure the quality of the new pipe.
This method is indispensable among trenchless methods, as it is the most affordable of the trenchless methods, with favorable results that last decades.
3.) Slip Lining
Slip lining, also known as trenchless pipe lining, is a unique trenchless method that creates a pipe within a pipe by installing an epoxy liner inside the existing pipe.
This trenchless technology does not include heavy digging; it only needs entry and exit points or two access holes.
However, the slip-lining process can be tricky as unskillful grouting may be more detrimental to the already damaged pipe and, instead, shake the integrity of the structural pipe lining.
Also, the magic of this method will only work with damaged pipes with few bends and curves, as the material used is not flexible compared to the polymer used in pipe bursting.
Nonetheless, this method greatly benefits you by reinforcing your existing cast-iron pipes, providing sturdy lining inside.
4.) Spray Lining
This process of modern repair, also known as brush-coating, has many similarities with slip lining.
This time, however, a non-toxic resin-saturated liner is sprayed onto two-inch branch lines for the spray coating to work out.
Spray lining is much more effective on smaller area problems, like little holes and cracks. Nonetheless, this process involves no digging and boasts faster repair times.
When Should You Do Trenchless Sewer Pipe Repair?
You should do trenchless sewer pipe repair if your high-rise buildings, homes, or offices stumble upon the following substantial main sewer line issues:
- Clogged old pipe
- Corroded existing pipe
- Gurgling pipes from the basement
- A lawn that has unusually muddy surfaces
- Low pressure of water
- Slow drain with foul odor around the house
- Strange increase in water bills
- Water that has become rusty in taste and looks
This repair alternative will give you an existing sewer line or new sewer line that can be useful for approximately 50 more years.
That said, it is no secret that environmental factors in root intrusion and soil shifting dynamics can hamper the quality and efficiency of your sewer replacement.
TIP: For a successful trenchless repair, leak detection is also a high-priority action you should take.
Trenchless vs. Traditional Sewer Line Replacement Methods
Now that we have laid out what trenchless pipe repair can offer, it's equally essential to compare it with the traditional sewer line replacement (which is still the preferred method for some people).
Here is how trenchless repairs compare to traditional methods:
- Trenchless methods do not need intrusive digging | Traditional sewer repair methods involve digging deep cuts into the ground
- Trenchless replacement can be done quickly in only a few days | The same repair done in the traditional method may take weeks
- Trenchless sewer replacement needs fewer skilled people | The traditional method demands a more significant number of professionals and laborers
- Trenchless sewer replacement entails less mess | Traditional ones create a messy workspace from all the excavation
- Trenchless replacement costs $60 to $200 per linear foot | Traditional processes prices range from $50 to $250 per linear foot
- Trenchless sewer replacement uses camera inspection (video inspection) through small holes to view the pipe inside | The traditional process uses a backhoe to do an open-cut method
How Much Does a Trenchless Sewer Repair Cost?
Trenchless sewer replacement or a trenchless rehabilitation technique is said to be more cost-efficient, which means its price is justified by its performance and durability.
It takes $60 to $200 per linear foot or an approximate overall cost of $6000 to $12,000 to execute this minimally invasive technique.
Moreover, trenchless water line replacement costs $100 to $200 per foot, and complete trenchless pipe installation costs $80 to $250 per foot.
Is Trenchless Sewer Repair Worth It?
Trenchless sewer replacement or repair is WORTH IT because it bears the following features:
- Economically-convenient trenchless sewer line repair
- Time-convenient repair of damaged sewer lines
- The minimally invasive technique of repairing the damaged sewer line
- Lower contribution to pollution by reducing the use of equipment in pipe replacement
Frequently Asked Questions
Even after reading the information above, you might still have some questions in mind. Let's address some of them below:
No, the trenchless repairs do not always work. This is because this process cannot remedy the damages or create a new pipe on collapsed sewer pipes or an extremely damaged old pipe.
Moreover, this method is not recommended for a damaged pipe located in places with a large population of tree roots.
Yes, it is environmentally-friendly because it does not substantially damage the land, plants, or other parts of the surroundings.
The trenchless repair method for preparing a damaged sewer pipe will only take one to two days.
Yes, trenchless methods can work on apartments' drainage pipes. It works in condominium units, single-family homes, multi-unit homes, and commercial and industrial buildings' main sewer lines.
Unfortunately, trenchless methods will not fix a damaged sewer belly because the latter needs the open-cut method of repair used on traditional sewer lines.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, choosing what method to use for your old pipes should be based on your preference, the plumbing company, and the professionals' opinions.
That said, it's a no-brainer that trenchless technology provides a worthy plumbing system replacement or repair on your old line.
It will give you value for money, convenience, and environmental friendliness!
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