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Phoenix Trenchless Sewer Repair

Welcome to the most comprehensive guide on Trenchless Sewer Repair – Get started with some links below!

As this is a long article, feel free to use the following legend to and jump to the most relevant section:

Phoenix Trenchless Sewer Repair – What is Trenchless Sewer Repair?

Trenchless Sewer Repair is a term used to describe making a repair to an underground drain or sewer pipe, without digging it up. Trenchless sewer repair is also a term used to explain a sewer replacement without digging a trench through your yard or property.

what is trenchless pipe lining and trenchless pipe bursting infogaphic

Legendary Home Services provides multiple methods of trenchless technology. As contractors that provides trenchless sewer repairs in Phoenix and all over Arizona, we have immense experience with the intricacies of trenchless sewer repairs and replacements. From this vast experience, we have compiled some of the most common questions asked about trenchless technologies.

There are two primary methods of trenchless technology for residential and commercial properties.

Pipe bursting and Pipe Lining.

What is the difference between pipe bursting and pipe lining?

The simplest answer is: One replaces your pipe, the other rehabilitates the inside of your pipe using epoxy.

What is Trenchless Pipe Bursting?

Pipe bursting replaces your sewer through the utilization of a tool that breaks open your existing drain pipe and pulls a new pipe into place. Similar to boring, except without actually boring. Whatever drain line you want to be replaced, will need both ends of the drain exposed for pipe bursting to work. This means if you are replacing your outside sewer line, you will need one hole (about 3ft X 3ft) near the house, (where your sewer exits the property), and a second hole near the street or sidewalk (or alley, if your drain runs there). With the two holes open, you can use pipe bursting tools to replace the pipe between the two holes. The pipe used for replacement is called high-density polyethylene. It’s an oil based pipe that is very durable, extremely resistant to clogging, and impervious to root intrusion. The life expectancy for pipe bursting is over 100 years.


What is Trenchless Pipe Lining?

Pipe Lining is also known as CIPP (cured in place pipe) or epoxy pipe lining. Pipe lining is a method in which a felt tube gets saturated in epoxy. The felt tube is then placed into your existing pipe. Once in place, a balloon is inserted inside of the felt tube. The balloon is inflated, pushing the felt tube against your pipe. The epoxy will cure in about an hour. The balloon is deflated and removed. What’s left is a new pipe within your existing pipe. Pipe lining only requires one access hole, whereas pipe bursting requires two access holes.

 

What about the No Dig Pipe replacement I heard of?

No Dig Pipe replacement is a term used to describe Pipe Lining. There are times where a drain can have a pipe liner inserted through a clean-out or vent. However, this is for larger pipes usually in commercial properties. In residential properties, some digging is required. There are times that excavation is unnecessary, but that is only about 3% of the time. Before a trenchless repair can be completed, access to the pipe is essential.

Why can’t you access the pipe through my sewer vent or go through my toilet?

A toilet is never sufficient access because of the number of turns the drain makes before heading all the way out. Most pipe liners cannot be inserted through pipes that have more than two turns. Through trenchless pipe lining, a sewer vent may be adequate access. However, in most cases accessing the vertical piping is not as effective as accessing the horizontal piping. Moreover, as you know, to access horizontal drain pipes, you will need to dig.

What about my outside drain clean-out?

The clean-out may be sufficient access for pipe lining. However, only about 3% of the time. In older homes, most clean-outs lack the directional fittings that allow a pipe liner to run through them. Pipe lining through a clean-out can be achieved through a four-inch ABS clean-out. So, if you do not have a clean-out, don’t worry. We can install one for you.

Does trenchless sewer repair work if I have root intrusions?

Yes. The roots do need to be removed first. This can be achieved with root cutting drain equipment. Once the drain is clear of roots, a pipe liner can be inserted for a permanent repair.

What happens if the cast iron drain under my slab is corroded or collapsing?

Many plumbers diagnose scale build-up within cast iron to be the start of a collapsing pipe. This is usually not the case. If your cast iron pipe has scale build-up, it can be removed through a de-scaling process using specific cast iron drain equipment. In many cases, your pipe just needs a de-scaling, not a trenchless sewer repair.

Does Pipe Bursting Reduce the Size of my Drain Pipe?

No. In fact, this method can increase your pipe size. If you currently have a three-inch diameter sewer line, we can increase it to four-inch or six-inch. This method is extremely useful if you need an increase in pipe size.

Does Pipe Lining Reduce my Current Pipe Size?

Being that a pipe liner uses the host pipe to provide its shape, the diameter of your pipe is reduced slightly. The liner material is roughly ¼ of an inch thick. Many people ask- “Does the pipe reduction reduce flow?”. No, it does not. Because the pipe is seamless, it will actually increase the flow rate of your pipe. With no joints in the new liner, there is less friction.

Is the city responsible for my sewer line in the street?

This question is best asked directly to the city. Although there are many times the city takes care of problems located on their side, we also see many cases where the city does not take care of issues that reside under the street or on city property.

What happens if the bottom is missing in my cast iron drain?

Not a problem for Pipe Lining. A pipe liner can successfully rehabilitate sewers with extensive material loss. Pipe lining was specifically designed to repair drain pipes with cracks, holes, and missing sections. There are times where the material loss in the cast iron is too great, and a pipe liner may not be capable of repairing, but that is only about 5% of the time.

Trenchless Sewer Repair VS Traditional?

A trenchless option is not always going to be the better choice. There are times where a traditional sewer replacement is a better option. If the pipe is far too corroded for a successful pipe liner installation, then a regular replacement may be best. If the trenchless pipe bursting technique would result in a much higher cost than a regular replacement, then a conventional replacement may be warranted.
This question is best answered after your particular sewer pipe has been evaluated via camera inspection. This will help the plumber determine what method is best.

How much does it cost to replace a sewer line?

The average sewer replacement in the city of Phoenix will range from $3500 to $8500. There are additional variables that go into pricing, and not all projects are equal work. However, this range of price should give you a rough idea to help you create a budget.

I have a Clay Sewer Pipe with Roots in Every Joint, Will Trenchless work?

Yes. This can be fixed by either pipe lining or pipe bursting.

How much does it cost to reline a sewer line?

Sewer relining is typically quoted after an internal pipe inspection. However, most relining projects will range from $3500-$8500, for the average residential sewer repair.

Trenchless Sewer Repair Reviews

If you are looking for reviews on trenchless, we have plenty of videos and customer testimonials to check out. Here is a video of a project in Phoenix, where we completed a pipe bursting sewer replacement.

If your home is experiencing water damage from your sewer line

 

What do Trenchless Sewer Repairs Cost?

If you live in Arizona, we can provide you with some average pricing for Phoenix and surrounding areas.

Please keep in mind these prices are average prices and may not include all variables for your property. A sewer camera inspection is necessary to compile an actual cost for you. If you need a sewer camera inspection, let us know, we can help.

Trenchless Sewer Repair Pipe Lining Costs:

Repairs under your slab are generally $3500 to $6500

Repairs on the outside of your home are generally $3500 to $8500

Trenchless Sewer Repair Pipe Bursting Costs:

Repairs under you slab are generally $3500 to $8500

Repairs on the outside of your home are generally $3500 to $5500

These prices are average costs for the typical trenchless sewer repair or replacement in the Phoenix area.

Phoenix Trenchless Sewer RepairWhich method of trenchless repair is best?

There isn’t one method better than the other.

Each method has advantages and limitations.

What we typically see with trenchless technology repairs is that pipe lining is most sensible for fixing drain pipes under your slab, whereas pipe bursting is most sensible replacing drain pipes outside your home.

Pipe Lining Advantages

Pipe lining is typically the least invasive trenchless technology as it only requires one access hole. Pipe lining can also be used in pipes that have connecting drains. By installing a pipe liner, you can cover your connecting drains. When the liner is cured, a cutting tool can run into the sewer line and will cut a hole for each connecting drain restoring flow. This makes pipe lining much less invasive than pipe bursting.

Pipe Lining Limitations

Pipe lining does not work if your pipe is collapsed. Being that a new pipe is created within the existing pipe; it is essential the present pipe be free from angularity. If the pipe is not round, then pipe lining will not work.

Pipe Bursting Advantages

Pipe Bursting is a true pipe replacement. The material used for replacement is HDPE pipe. HDPE is the most durable pipe we have ever installed. If installed correctly, HDPE pipe will outperform any other pipe available.

Pipe Bursting Limitations

If you need a sewer replaced that has multiple connecting drains, you will need to have each drain exposed before pipe bursting. This is because the pipe bursting tool breaks the pipe. If the connecting pipes are not disconnected before pipe bursting, you will damage the connecting drains. If you have a pipe that has four connections to it, that means you will need six excavated holes to pipe burst that drain successfully. If you are pipe bursting the drain inside your home, think about how invasive it would be to have six holes in your home to replace your sewer.

If you are interested in having a trenchless sewer repair completed at your Phoenix property, let us know, we would love to help. Have questions before you schedule service? We love to answer questions.

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