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Answering Common Questions About Trenchless Pipe Repair

What Is Trenchless Sewer Repair?

The sewer line in a home or business handles the waste from all the drains and toilets. Once they join together to form one line, the amount of waste they handle is large. One of the risks of putting all of that waste into one single line is that when that line needs repairs, big problems can result.  

Sewer lines are located underground to help keep them from freezing and to sequester waste away from human activity. Unfortunately, this makes them difficult to access for repairs and replacement. The average sewer line is expected to last for decades, but at some point, most property owners will need sewer line repairs. That’s when trenchless sewer line repairs can help. This article is a quick guide to understanding trenchless pipe repairs and why they can be more beneficial than traditional repairs. 

What Makes Trenchless Repairs Different? 

Until fairly recently, accessing a sewer line for repairs or replacement meant major excavation, like digging up the old pipe or trenching to make a bed for a new sewer line. Often, this would involve jackhammering driveways and concrete slabs and damaging the landscape. This made sewer line repairs hugely invasive and expensive. 

Trenchless sewer repair methods use only two holes to access the sewer line or existing access points, so no digging is needed. There are multiple trenchless pipe repair methods plumbers can use, including: 

  • Sliplining: A smaller diameter pipe is pulled into the existing line, creating a smooth, leak-free surface on the interior pipe walls. 
  • Pipe Bursting: A powerful tool breaks the old pipe as a new pipe is pulled into the path of the old pipe, making a new line. 
  • Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP): This pipe lining method uses a liner with resin inserted into the old pipe, and then the resin is cured to attach to the old line, creating a new one. 

What Issues Can Be Fixed With Trenchless Pipe Repair? 

pipe corrosionThe excellent news about trenchless pipe repairs is that they can repair many of the problems that used to require traditional plumbing repair with excavation. Some of the things that trenchless repair methods can be used to fix are: 

  • Minor pipe misalignment caused by shifting soils 
  • Replacing old and outdated pipes 
  • Repairing sewer line leaks or cracks
  • Fixing damage to underground piping caused by tree roots 
  • Corroded or rusted pipes, if not too severe

When a plumber is called about a sewer line problem, they can noninvasively inspect the pipe and extent of the damage to determine whether trenchless repairs can be used or if they need to dig up the line.

What Are the Benefits of Trenchless Pipe Repairs? 

save money Trenchless repairs have become more widely used because they have multiple benefits over repairs that require excavation. First, they are quicker and often cheaper than traditional repairs because excavation takes a lot of time, special equipment, and additional labor. 

Additionally, trenchless pipe repairs are far less invasive and damaging. With trenchless sewer repair, plumbers can make the necessary repairs while protecting concrete structures and landscaping. As a bonus, this can further reduce costs since the property owner will not have to rehabilitate the damage caused by plumbing excavation. 

About Gillece Services

Gillece Services is a plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical company with more than 40 years of expertise serving Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas. They offer the latest technology and financing. Call them today for trenchless pipe repair services in Pittsburgh, PA

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