Trenchless Sewer Pipe Repair

WHAT IS TRENCHLESS SEWER PIPE REPAIR

Trenchless sewer repair is a method of repairing sewer pipes without destructively digging and removing large portions of flooring, foundation, and walls to expose the building’s pipes. Trenchless pipe repair structurally restores an existing pipe internally by using the failed or deteriorated pipe as a host, rather than by disruptive, costly trench digging followed by conventional pipe repair and subsequent restoration of impacted surfaces (floors, walls, foundation, cabinetry, etc.). 

The term “trenchless” by definition simply means “without trenches.” Imagine digging a long, deep path directly through the very foundation your building stands on. This conventional pipe repair practice, though widely used throughout the twentieth century and into the present, can jeopardize the integrity of your building’s slab. It also creates the need for extensive follow up repairs to the building once the plumbing work is completed. Thanks to trenchless technology, this is no longer a necessary risk or added expense.

Gentle on Your Property

With trenchless repair, your existing plumbing cleanout (usually located outside your home) and small access points are tapped to restore your drainage pipes from the inside. Usually, portions of inspections and repairs can be administered through the toilet lines – the toilet is removed during service, then reinstalled – or a rooftop vent stacks. With trenchless, the impact on your property is as minimal as possible.

How trenchless pipe repair works:

After your sewer lines are thoroughly inspected and hydro and/or mechanically cleaned, a high-tech, flexible, epoxy-saturated tube (liner) is installed directly into your existing drainage pipes. The epoxy cures (hardens) to form a new structural line – essentially creating a new pipe within the old pipe. It is completely sealed and free from all of the previous issues the original pipe contained.

It does not matter if the old pipes had cracks, holes, channeling, age deterioration, scaling, or root intrusion. In most cases, if a substantial portion of the original pipe is intact, trenchless pipe repair can be used effectively.

Since the liner (tube) starts out flexible, it’s able to navigate around most common bends, plumbing connections, even diameter changes. And once it’s hardened, the liner is 100% sealed and solid, locking out all of the old issues and forming a new, structural surface.

The new liner has a life-use expectancy of 50 years! The epoxy liner’s surface is smoother than many older materials which may also enhance ease of use and flow capacity.

Once the new pipe lining is installed, specialized robotic equipment is guided through the pipes to reopen branchlines. This fascinating equipment has live cameras for the operator to view inside the sewer lines and is controlled remotely by a robotics technician. The reinstatement openings verify that the entire drainage system is restored and functions optimally.