Trenchless Sewer Repair Services

Trenchless sewer repair is a method of repairing or replacing a broken sewer line with minimal excavation. Instead of digging a trench along the full length of the pipe, we access the line at one or two points and either insert a resin-saturated liner that cures in place (CIPP pipe lining) or pull a new pipe through the existing one while fracturing the old pipe outward (pipe bursting). The result is a repaired or replaced sewer line with far less disruption to your property than traditional open-cut methods.

Pipe lining (CIPP) leaves the original pipe in place and creates a new structural liner inside it. A flexible, resin-saturated tube is inserted into the damaged pipe and inflated, then cured — forming a smooth, jointless new pipe within the old one. Pipe bursting replaces the original pipe entirely by pulling a new pipe through while simultaneously breaking the old pipe outward into the surrounding soil. Pipe lining is used when the pipe structure is still largely intact. Pipe bursting is used when the pipe needs full replacement. After the camera inspection, we recommend the method that’s appropriate for your specific pipe condition.

Trenchless repair is often comparable in total cost to traditional excavation once you factor in the restoration costs that open-cut repair requires — concrete replacement, landscaping restoration, driveway re-pouring. In cases where access is straightforward, trenchless is frequently the more cost-effective solution. In cases where the pipe requires full replacement and access is difficult, the cost varies. We give you a transparent comparison after the camera inspection so you can make an informed decision.

Most trenchless repairs are completed in one to two days, depending on the length of the line and the method used. CIPP lining requires a curing period after the liner is installed — typically several hours — before the line is fully operational. Pipe bursting is generally faster. We give you a clear timeline before work begins.

CIPP pipe liners are designed to last 50 years or more when properly installed. The liner material is jointless, smooth, and resistant to root intrusion — which is one of the primary causes of sewer line failure in older pipes. A new pipe installed via pipe bursting carries the same long-term durability as any new pipe installation. Both methods outlast a patched or spot-repaired pipe significantly.

In most trenchless repairs, yes — a small amount. We typically need access points at either end of the affected section to insert the liner or attach the pipe bursting head. In some cases, additional access is needed at intermediate points. The difference between trenchless and traditional excavation is the scale: instead of a continuous trench along the full length of the pipe, trenchless requires only small, targeted excavations — often just one or two holes.

The best way to confirm is a camera inspection. Trenchless methods work best when the pipe has suffered root intrusion, cracking, or corrosion but still has a relatively intact overall structure. If the pipe has collapsed completely, pipe bursting can still replace it — but CIPP lining may not be an option. We assess this on the camera and give you an honest recommendation based on what we see, not what method carries the higher price.