Caveats for Trenchless Sewer Replacement

SAN JOSE — Trenchless technology has made the process of sewer line replacement much quicker and simpler than it once was. This is especially true of instances where a sewer line runs underneath a driveway or lawn, as the trenchless method spares homeowners the need to excavate the entire pipe. Instead, two holes are created (one of either side of the line) and a new, flexible polyethylene replacement line is pulled through the old pipe using a technique known as “pipe bursting.” This method has many benefits, but there are some limits to its application, so it’s important to know about these when planning your sewer replacement project.

One consideration is whether there is adequate clearance for the work to be performed. At either end of the pipe, there needs to be enough room to place the machinery used to pull the new line through. Another consideration is whether or not the sewer line runs straight. If there are too many changes in the pipe’s direction, the pipe bursting machine may not be able to make it through those bends. Likewise, drastic changes in direction can be a problem—while a 45-degree turn may be feasible, a 90-degree turn is too severe.

Another issue that can complicate things is if the existing pipe has one or more “bellies,” or areas of the line that slope backward, which can cause sewage to collect and create blockages. Since the new sewer line must be pulled through the old pipe, if there are any bellies, the same problems will persist. For this reason, trenchless replacement isn’t recommended if there are bellies in the line.

To make sure the trenchless method is appropriate for your sewer line replacement project, it’s important to have a plumber assess the jobsite and perform a full video inspection of your line. This will allow the plumber to verify proper clearance, check for any bellies and confirm that trenchless replacement is a feasible solution for your sewer problem.