Express Sewer & Drain Blog

Whether your sewage system has cracks in it or is severely damaged, trenchless repairing methods use advanced technology to render poor functioning sewage systems back to new. If you are deciding which professional plumbing company to use, you may want to look into one that can repair fractured pipes using trenchless technology.

The total cost of repairing a damaged sewage system with trenchless technology is far less than the alternative traditional methods. There are still some factors that affect the cost of pipe repair or replacement, such as:

• The length of pipe being restored
• Pipe depth
• The extent of damage
• Trenchless pipe repair or replacement technique used
• Pipe location on your property

The aforementioned factors are far less in financial comparison than the factors to consider with traditional sewage repairs including:

• The cost of re-landscaping
• The repair or replacement time
• Evacuating your home and stay in a hotel for an extended period of time
• Rapid expiration of repair and replacement materials used

Cost Facts

Depending on the type of repair or replacement you are having done to your sewage system, trenchless technologies may appear the more expensive option at the time; however, when you get down to the cost of everything involved in traditional repairs and replacements, trenchless technology repairs are generally more cost effective.  

Below are a few things to think about when evaluating the cost of sewer repair.

Dig and replace methods-- the traditional way

For small repair jobs, this replacement can cost between $50- $250 per foot. This can leave a large dent of about $3,000- $6,000 in your wallet or even $5,000- $13,000 for repairs over 50 feet. Don’t forget about the associated expenses of traditional repair methods you will have to cover as well; this includes any relandscaping, road closures and labor costs.

Pipe lining or pipe bursting-- trenchless technologies

Plumbing professionals and leaders of trenchless technology will evaluate the extent of damage your sewage pipes are experiencing and then determine whether to proceed with pipe lining or pipe bursting techniques.

Pipe bursting can cost anywhere from $60- $200 per foot, which can end in about $3,500- $20,000 for an entire repair. This trenchless technique is used for pipe replacement and is dependent on the length and depth of your current pipe.

Pipe Lining is another trenchless technology and relines your damaged lateral or sewer pipe. This technique can cost anywhere from $80- $250 per foot but averages about $160 per foot.

For more standard repairs, the cost varies from $4,000-$20,000; most homeowners pay about $6,000-$12,000 for major sewer connection repairs. For small-scale pipe lining applications, such as pipe repair less than 50 feet long, your damaged pipeline can be completed for about $3,000- $4,000 depending on the pipes location and depth.

Going Trenchless

Trenchless technologies have many benefits, but they also have their place. Trenchless technology might not be right for your specific sewage need. Knowing the costs and benefits of trenchless technology and consulting with a professional plumber will help determine what your trenchless sewer repair cost would be and whether it is the right option for you.