Trenchless Water Line Replacement Cost: Is It Worth It?

Do you have a leak in your trenchless pipe? Do you need a trenchless pipe replacement? Not sure if getting one is worth the money?

The long-term benefits and convenience that a trenchless pipe replacement can give you can offset those costs and might be worth it for you.

Read on to learn more about trenchless water line replacement costs!

How Much Does Trenchless Water Line Replacement Cost?

For trenchless pipe replacement, the average costs of a pipe bursting fix range from $60 to $200 per linear foot. This results in a total cost of $3,500 to $20,000.

However, there are many different types of trenchless pipe replacement that might cost less than trenchless pipe bursting:

Pipe Lining

If you want to replace a sewer line replacement with a trenchless one, it will require blowing a resin-coated pipe lining through the old pipe. This is called trenchless pipe lining.

Think of this like inserting a better-coated and more durable straw inside a weaker and damaged straw. It WON'T require removing the original straw.

This new trenchless pipe lining or sleeving method can cost between $135 and $150 per linear foot.

In comparison, an equivalent traditional repair on sewer lines costs between $1,100 and $4,400.

Pipe Bursting

Trenchless sewer pipe bursting had a bit more additional costs compared to pipe lining. This is because the old pipe has to be broken or burst to install the new pipe.

The method of pipe bursting can cost from $60 to $200 per linear foot, depending on the quote from the supplier.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The bursting process for the damaged pipe doesn't release harmful chemicals that can damage flower beds and tree roots or cause property damage to your lawn or the street.

Spray or Brush Lining

Spray or brush lining repairs involve REINFORCING the structural pipe lining of the damaged pipe with materials like a cement mortar or epoxy lining.

This is one of the most convenient methods because it doesn't require any digging up your yard or excavation of concrete slabs.

The repair can access the pipe through trenchless sewer repair equipment that sprays the INSIDE of the pipe without breaking anything.

However, the cost isn't cheap. This method can cost from $280 to $285 per linear foot.

Traditional Methods

Finally, there are the traditional or old-school methods of sewer repair. This includes digging up the yard to replace the pipes.

That doesn't even include the inconvenience it may cause you and your family through things like interrupting your water supply, which you can't really put a price tag on.

A traditional method of repairing sewer lines can cost $3,000 to $6,000 on AVERAGE, costing $50 to $250 per linear foot.

What Is Trenchless Water Line Replacement?

Trenchless pipe replacement removes a damaged pipe and puts a replacement pipe in WITHOUT having to access it through digging.

To use trenchless methods, you'd only need small 4x4 holes on each end of the sewer line.

This differs from traditional pipe replacement for sewer lines because such a method needs you to excavate to remove the damaged pipe before installing the new pipe.

What Factors Affect the Cost to Replace Water Lines?

A few factors can change the cost of using a trenchless system to fix your plumbing system and sewer line. Here are a few of them:

Geographic Location

The first consideration in determining the trenchless replacement cost is the price of trenchless services near you.

If your residence is in a high-cost-of-living area like Los Angeles or Orange County, the cost to replace will be much HIGHER than someone doing equivalent repairs in rural Oklahoma.

Size of the Existing Pipe

While you may think bigger pipes cost more to repair, trenchless methods usually require access inside the diameter of the pipes.

For example, a much smaller 2-inch pipe can be harder to rehabilitate through pipe lining and can have a repair cost higher than a larger 8-inch pipe.

Pipe Shape

If the pipes inside your sewer line twist and turn a lot and have many 45 and 90-degree angles, it will require MORE trenchless work to replace and cost more.

Pipe Location

Even though the trenchless method is a lot less invasive method to replace pipes, it still requires some digging.

If the pipes are close to a water line or your neighbor's house, it may cause some inconvenience or additional cost, depending on the contractor.

Pipe Condition

The contractor will perform an inspection and provide expert advice to see if the BEST SOLUTION is to repair or install a replacement pipe.

Some pipes can be too damaged to repair, so replacing them with a replacement pipe might be the only option. This can add additional costs than what you expected.

Excavation

If there are no trenchless sewer line replacement methods available, you may have to excavate the whole sewer line the traditional way.

Obviously, this means more INCONVENIENCE than a trenchless sewer repair job, and you'd have to consider the costs of fixing your lawn after the replacement process is finished.

Additional Sewer Line Replacement Costs to Consider

There are other related costs to replacing your pipe that is important to keep in mind:

Build-up or Corrosion

If you choose to do pipe lining instead of a trenchless pipe replacement, the contractor may have to remove the build-up or corrosion accumulated on a cast iron pipe through hydro jetting.

Inspection Costs and Permits

Many contractors have a sewer line inspection fee when they check out the trenchless sewer lines for pipe replacement. However, some offer free inspections.

Another additional cost you need to account for is getting excavation permits from your local government.

Tie-ins

Drainage pipes have many branches that stem outwards from the main pipe. If you choose to do pipe lining, the inner lining may block off these branches.

Switching From Septic Tank to Sewer

If you have an old system with a septic tank and are moving to a trenchless system, you might have to PAY MORE to have it decommissioned and removed. This can cost up to $5,500.

Frequently Asked Questions

After learning about pipe replacement and how trenchless replacements differ from traditional repairs, you might still have other questions.

We've answered the most commonly asked ones below:

How Much Does It Cost to Bore a Water Line?

It can range from $50 to $150 to bore a water line.

How Much Does It Cost to Run New Water Lines in a House?

It can range from $1,500 to $12,000. But, the price depends on the size of your house and how much of your house floor needs to be dug up.

How Do You Repair a Sewer Line Under a Slab?

If you don't want to excavate and break the concrete slab, you should use NON-INVASIVE methods like pipe lining.

Is Trenchless Sewer Replacement Worth the Price?

If you value CONVENIENCE and not interrupting your home life, then it's 100% worth the extra cost.

If you want to save money and don't mind the hassle, stick to traditional pipe-replacing methods or a DIY job.

Conclusion

Having a pipe replacement can be a massive inconvenience. Trenchless pipe replacement methods offer an alternative solution to traditional ways.

If convenience is your number one concern, then trenchless methods are the way to go for a pipe repair or pipe replacement!