How Does Trenchless Pipe Relining Work?

Sewer line repairs and replacements can be a messy ordeal. Using conventional dig methods, not only would you need to dig a trench through your yard from the house to the curb in order to get to the pipes, you'd also be subject to significant costs to fix everything and get your landscaping back in order. And if you have trees in the path, they’ll need to be cut down and removed. Same with sidewalks, driveways and anything else located directly above the underground pipe.

However, trenchless pipe relining has emerged as the preferred option for rehabilitating old sewer pipes instead of digging them up. If your sewer pipeline is made of clay, concrete, iron or Orangeburg, it may already be failing. These pipe materials each have their disadvantages and they all will fail at some point. Not every sewer line is a candidate for pipe relining but many are. A simple video camera inspection of the inside will allow Roto-Rooter to determine whether relining is an option for your sewer.

The Trenchless Technique

Forget about digging a long trench from home to curb and as deep as 15 feet, a trenchless pipe lining service will only require digging a small access pit at each end of the pipe. Next, a flexible tube resembling neoprene coated with resin is pushed into the old sewer pipe and then compressed air is blown into the sleeve to push it outward against the inside walls of the old pipe. When the resin has hardened after several hours, it will create a solid pipe within the old pipe that closely resembles heavy duty PVC pipe. The “new” pipe will have a slightly reduced inside diameter but it will be smooth and impervious to root intrusion. It's necessary to note that the pipe relining method might not work if the original pipe has collapsed in sections or if sections have become offset from one another.

Won’t Harm Trees

Trenchless pipe relining and an alternative trenchless replacement called pipe bursting, can both be effective techniques for homeowners who want to avoid cutting a trench through their yard. Additionally, you won’t need to cut down trees in the path of the pipe. They will remain healthy and unaffected by what is going on underground. Most Roto-Rooter locations provide pipe relining or pipe bursting services and they have the tools and knowledge to inspect your existing sewer and arrange to locate, map and mark nearby utility lines. This expertise will be invaluable for ensuring that the trenchless pipe rehabilitation methods won't impact anything else underground.

In addition, if water pools in a low spot in the existing sewer line (known as a pipe belly), a trenchless pipe lining replacement may not pass inspection. So a Roto-Rooter sewer solutions expert will be able to inspect your sewer lines before any work is begun in order to identify any situations like this. In such a situation, they would advise against pipe relining and instead recommend pipe bursting or traditional excavation methods.

Overall, trenchless pipe relining is definitely an option that homeowners should consider for fixing their sewer lines. The less invasive trenchless method will be more cost-effective in the long run and save a lot of hassle. Call a plumbing expert to get started on trenchless pipe lining services and to discuss your options.

For more information regarding trenchless pipe relining, check out the infographic.

How Does Trenchless Pipe Relining Work?