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Traditional sewer repair is invasive, and because of that, you need to spend money putting everything back together again after the repair is complete. Today, trenchless sewer line replacement can fix damaged pipes without extensive digging.
This article will cover the definition of trenchless sewer line replacement, trenchless sewer repair cost, techniques, signs you might need your sewer line replaced, and more.
What is Trenchless Sewer Repair?
Trenchless sewer line replacement is a way to fix damaged sewer lines without the kind of excavation necessary for traditional sewer repair. In other words, there’s virtually no digging apart from two 4’ x 4’ pits to access the damaged pipe. There’s also no need to…
- Re-route traffic
- Dig up flower beds
- Dig a trench through your living room
Because trenchless sewer line replacement is minimally invasive, you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars repairing the damage caused by the repair. After the repair, the excavated dirt is placed back into the access pits, and that’s it.
Trenchless sewer repair is also faster than traditional sewer line repair, and depending on what needs to be done, it’s possible to complete a trenchless repair job in hours rather than days or weeks. Trenchless sewer repair also requires less labor.
For more information see, Is Trenchless Sewer Repair a Good Idea?
Trenchless sewer line replacement always involves a CCTV sewer camera inspection to see what’s happening inside the pipe. This visual inspection allows the technician to know the type, location, and severity of the problem.
How Much Does Trenchless Sewer Line Replacement Cost?
While it might seem more expensive at first, the cost of trenchless sewer line replacement is usually less costly than traditional sewer repair methods. This is because you don’t need to spend money cleaning up a mess after the repair is complete. For example, it could cost you thousands of dollars to repair damage to your home if it was necessary to trench through your living room. Restoring a destroyed flower bed or lawn to its previous state can also be costly. Often, the most expensive part of traditional sewer line replacement is the clean-up cost.
While it’s true that sometimes trenchless sewer repair can damage property when creating the access points, it won’t be anything close to the damage created by traditional sewer repair.
Of course, the exact trenchless sewer line replacement cost will depend on where you live, the pipe’s location, shape, problem, and the chosen trenchless repair solution. Contact a professional foundation repair contractor for an inspection and estimate. Keep in mind that not all contractors are experienced with the trenchless repair.
You’ll also need to factor in the following when considering trenchless sewer line replacement costs:
- The necessary CCTV inspection. However, some contractors include this in the price.
- The number of branches that need to be reinstated after trenchless repair.
- The size and condition of the pipe. For example, a cast iron pipe might need de-scaling first. This takes time and increases the cost of the repair.
Is Trenchless Sewer Line Replacement Less Expensive Than Older Techniques?
Yes. Even though it might not seem that way at first, you must include the damage created by traditional sewer repair and the clean-up costs associated with it, which can be a lot. For example, it can cost thousands of dollars to repair your home if the contractor needs to trench through your living room to get at the pipe. In other words, there are hidden costs in traditional sewer line repair.
Can All Sewer Line Problems Be Fixed Using Trenchless Methods?
No, sometimes trenchless sewer repair is impossible. For example, it’s impossible to repair collapsed or back-pitched pipes (wastewater flows toward the home instead of away from it) using trenchless sewer repair. These will need to be repaired using traditional sewer line replacement methods.
Sometimes, a problem can be repaired using a trenchless method, but it’s easier and less expensive to use traditional sewer repair. An example is when it’s easy to access the pipe without destroying property. (Maybe the pipe isn’t buried very deep.) Sure, you could repair it using a trenchless technique, but it wouldn’t make sense.
Signs Your Sewer Line Might Need To Be Replaced
Signs of a problem with your sewer line include:
- Foul odors in or around your home
- Frequent sewage backups
- Frequent clogs
- Pools of sewage in your yard.
- Areas of your yard that are greener and lusher than others. This might indicate a leaking sewage pipe.
If you see anything listed here, contact a sewer repair contractor and ask for a CCTV sewer inspection to find out what’s happening.
Who Does Trenchless Sewer Line Replacement?
Because not every plumbing repair contractor does trenchless sewer line replacement, you’ll need to look for a contractor who performs trenchless sewer repair. However, ensure the contractor isn’t merely claiming they’re qualified to perform trenchless sewer repair. Trenchless sewer repair requires special equipment that’s expensive to purchase. A contractor qualified to perform trenchless work will own their equipment. They will not be renting it. The contractor will also be licensed and insured for trenchless sewer line replacement. Finally, the contractor will have experience performing trenchless sewer repair.
If you’re considering trenchless sewer repair, always get a written estimate detailing the work to be done, the materials used, whether any permits are necessary (and who pays for them), the total cost for the repair, and when the repair work will start and when it will finish.
Trenchless Sewer Line Replacement is Not a DIY Project
As you undoubtedly gathered from the above, trenchless sewer line replacement is not a DIY project. It requires expensive equipment, training, and experience. We know it’s not an inexpensive repair. However, it’s not a repair you can do yourself. Contact an experienced professional and let them handle it.
If you’re interested in trenchless sewer line replacement and you’re in our service area in Benicia, CA, contact us today for an inspection and estimate.
