Sewer Line Replacement: Trenchless vs. Open Trench

When it’s time to replace the sewer line that connects your home to the city’s water line, it’s essential to choose the right method for the job. Trenchless sewer replacement has become a popular option in recent years, but it’s not always the best choice for every situation.

The trenchless method

Trenchless sewer replacement is often praised for its efficiency since it doesn’t require digging up your entire yard. This method breaks apart your existing pipe and replaces it with a new one in the same location, adopting the same shape and contour. However, while the trenchless method is suitable for pipes that have been impeded by roots, it’s not a fix-all for every issue. For example, if your sewer line has “bellies”—sections that have sagged over time, creating a dip in the pipe—or areas that aren’t correctly sloped, trenchless replacement won’t solve these problems. That’s because trenchless technology can’t realign or regrade existing pipes; it merely takes on the form of the old pipe.

The open trench method

To correct issues with pipe slope or bellies, an open trench method is required. This process involves excavating the specific fault area to access and manually adjust the pipe to the correct level and slope. It’s a more invasive procedure, but it’s necessary to ensure a properly functioning sewer system.

The hybrid method

For sewer lines with mixed issues, the best approach may be a combination of both methods. The sections lacking proper slope would be corrected using the open trench method, while the rest of the line could be handled with the trenchless technique. This hybrid method offers a tailored solution that ensures both the effectiveness and longevity of your sewer system.