Although trenchless sewer repair and replacement has been around for more than 10 years, many homeowners are unfamiliar with the service and have questions about how it works and even if it works.

So, we have heard the question, “Does trenchless sewer repair work?” and we’re here to answer it for you.

One of the top reasons to consider trenchless sewer repair is that it’s a way to get your sewer lines fixed without destroying the yard! You see, instead of having to dig up large portions of the sewer pipe, this trenchless process only requires a hole dug at the start and at the end of the span of the pipe being worked on.

Of course, we thoroughly inspect the pipe first with our sewer camera equipment to see where the problem is before we begin any digging, even if it is just two small holes.

We execute careful camera inspection to search for any “wye” connections to the line we are replacing to insure that all active pipe lines are connected to the new line.

The HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) pipes that we use to replace your old pipes have been tested and approved by the following pipe testing organizations in the US:

Trenchless Pipe Bursting

Wikipedia describes pipe bursting as “…a trenchless method of replacing buried pipelines (such as sewer, water, or natural gas pipes) without the need for a traditional construction trench.”

Basically, once the hole is dug at the beginning of the pipe, an expander head is attached to the new pipe and it’s then inserted into the old pipe and pushed through which in turn “bursts” the old pipe and at the same time replaces it with the new pipe.

Trenchless Sewer Repair Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • 100 year service life on the HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) pipes
  • Costs less than traditional sewer repair process
  • Saves your yard from being dug up and torn up
  • Usually takes 1 day from start to finish
  • An easy way to replace pipes beneath driveways, patios, etc.

Cons:

With all it’s advantages, we do have to acknowledge that there are times when it’s simply not possible to use the trenchless system – there are occasions where the pipe is so irreversibly damaged and corroded that there is no choice but to dig it up entirely and replace them.

Trenchless Sewer Repair Cost

The cost for trenchless sewer repair will vary depending on a variety of factors but we can tell you that on average, the cost is about $160.00 / foot. This is less expensive than traditional pipe replacement methods.

When it comes to any sewer repair (trenchless or traditional) the factors that end up being the most expensive are the landscaping issues. Uprooting existing trees, bushes, etc. and any damage done to the lawn.

The other major expense in traditional sewer repair are any costs incurred from repairing driveways or patios or even flooring in the home if the broken pipe sits under these. A trenchless system eliminates this cost.

In Conclusion

The trenchless sewer repair system does work! There are many advantages to using this system. The fact that it’s a less invasive method of replacing underground sewer pipes is a huge bonus for many homeowners.


If you’re in the Atlanta, Georgia area and are having problems with your sewer pipes, call us at Atlantis Plumbing today at 770-505-8570. Call anytime, 24/7. We are here to help.