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Trenchless sewer repair is an excellent technology, one that can help home and business owners throughout Sacramento repair critical water utility infrastructure without having to dig landscaping and sidewalks.

You probably have a few questions about plumbing repair with trenchless technology.

Using a trenchless solution for plumbing repair can help minimize labor, save on resource costs, eliminate expensive landscaping bills, and provide incredible speed/convenience compared to traditional sewer repair.

However, as convenient as trenchless technologies can be, many people wonder what the biggest problem with it is. After all, there must be some kind of tradeoff, right?

Well, there are a few issues with trenchless plumbing that you might want to know about before you settle on it as your go-to fix for your plumbing problems. So, in the interest of full disclosure, here are some of the biggest problems with trenchless technology that you might run into:

1: Limited Choices of Material When Replacing/Relining Pipes

Trenchless solutions such as pipe bursting and lateral pipe lining require the use of specific pipe materials. This can limit your options for replacement.

However, this is usually a non-issue. The materials used for most trenchless procedures are extremely durable with useful lives measured in decades.

2: Some Forms of Damage Cannot Be Fixed Without Trenching

There are some situations where trenchless technology might not be able to fix the problem alone. This is because most trenchless technologies rely on the currently existing pipe to complete the repair.

For example, a completely collapsed pipe would block the chain used to drag a pipe bursting head through a line and keep a new lining from being inserted. Also, warps in the pipe caused by shifting soil would also affect the trenchless repair.

This is why an inspection is so crucial before you pick a repair technology—knowing the nature of the problem can help you pick out the best repair method first and avoid wasting time and money.

3: Trenchless Technologies Cost More than Traditional Ones

Because of the specialized equipment and materials involved, the cost of a trenchless repair solution might be higher than a traditional repair solution. At least, before you take into consideration labor, landscaping, and disruption.

If you look at the bill for just materials and equipment, odds are that the trenchless solution will be more expensive up front. However, variables such as labor and landscaping repair can significantly affect the final cost of your sewer repair.

Basically, if your pipes are close to the surface and doesn’t run under any permanent obstacles (trees, sidewalks, etc.), then it may be more cost-effective to use a traditional trenching repair solution.

However, for pipes deep in the ground, or running under expensive-to-replace landscaping, the reduced labor costs of trenchless can offset the higher cost of equipment and materials.

4: Pipe Lining Could Reduce Overall Pipe Diameter

This is a concern that many have when using trenchless repair solutions on smaller water supply pipes: the addition of a new layer or coating inside the pipe could reduce the diameter of the pipe and restrict flow.

However, cured in place pipe (CIPP) lining materials are extraordinarily thin and strong. In most pipes, it would take many repeat applications of new CIPP layers to significantly restrict flow.

Also, CIPP lining isn’t the only trenchless repair option. Techniques such as pipe bursting can actually allow you to replace a smaller-diameter pipe with a larger one—without having to dig up the old pipe.

Get the Best Plumbing Repair Solution to Meet Your Needs!

Because the choice between traditional plumbing and trenchless technology is so often a situational one, it’s important to consult with an experienced plumber that has mastered both before settling on one or the other.

An expert opinion could help you get the best bang for your buck, and save you considerable headaches down the road.

Trenchless Pipe Lining: The Ultimate Sewer Repair Solution

Topics: Trenchless Technology, Sewers