3 Reasons All Homeowners Should Know About Trenchless Sewer Repair Technology

Did you know that if you need a sewer line or pipe repair, you may not need to dig up your entire yard to get it? If not, don’t worry: About 78% of respondents on an Angie’s List poll had never heard of “no dig” sewer technology either. However, as a homeowner, it’s something well worth educating yourself about.

There are a few different trenchless sewer repair methods, but the one you should probably focus on is CIPP technology. That stands for cured in place pipe, and refers to a process in which a flexible liner is inserted into the existing pipe and then cured so that it hardens, essentially becoming a pipe within a pipe. There are many reasons why this procedure is preferable to a traditional excavation in many cases. Here are just a few:

No Mess, No Fuss

Sewer line repair or replacement is ordinarily a mess, requiring workers to dig up half your yard, often disturbing landscaping, hardscaping and service delivery. But trenchless sewer repairs can be done from a single access point (sometimes two), as the regular flow of the system is used to insert the liner from an upstream point. That means fewer workers camped out in your yard for fewer days, and less to worry about once they leave.

Cost Control

You’re probably assuming trenchless sewer repair costs a fortune, given the convenience that if offers. It’s true that sometimes trenchless technology costs between 30% and 50% more than conventional digging. But don’t get discouraged just yet: Because you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on restorative work (replacing landscaping isn’t cheap!), trenchless repairs can be quite cost effective. Add to that lower labor costs because of shorter repair timelines, and you may even come out ahead.

Higher Quality

Even though the CIPP process may sound like something of a temporary measure, it isn’t. CIPP has a 50 year lifespan, the same as a brand new pipe. The materials used for these trenchless repairs are often superior to traditional piping, as well, resisting incursion from tree roots (a common cause of cracking and clogging) and corrosion over time. That makes trenchless repair a less invasive, more cost effective, high quality option; you won’t find more of a win-win-win situation than that.

Do you have any experience with either conventional excavation or trenchless sewer repairs? Share your experiences — and any advice you might have — in the comments.