When your sewer line is damaged, you face backups, odours, and the nightmare of expensive repairs. With technological advancements, homeowners and building owners no longer have only one messy, costly solution. Today, they have two broad methods to fix sewer line replacement: the old-fashioned excavation or the more advanced trenchless method. Each has its strengths, weaknesses, and applications where it shines the brightest.
Traditional Excavation
The old standard approach for replacing a damaged sewer line is trenching the entire damaged pipe. If the pipe is severely collapsed, crushed, or made of older materials, full excavation may be the only solution. But the drawbacks are not insignificant. Digging usually entails tearing driveways, landscaping, sidewalks, or portions of the foundation. It may take days or more, is extremely laborious, and costs extra in future restorative efforts. With traditional excavation, your home may become a construction site.
Trenchless Technology
At the other end of the scale is trenchless sewer line replacement. This is the newer approach that involves small holes at the beginning and end of the line. Technicians make use of specialized equipment to either burst the old pipe with the intent of pulling in a new pipe (pipe bursting) or insert a durable liner within the old pipe (pipelining). The main advantage is minimal surface disturbance that doesn’t require tearing apart landscaping, hardscaping, or floors. Jobs tend to be completed faster and with fewer messes. While trenchless solutions may cost a bit more in the short term, cleanup and restoration savings usually balance them out. The materials used are typically epoxy resin liners or HDPE, which are constructed to last.
Trenchless Isn’t Always the Right Choice
When the pipe is completely compromised, or in cases where access is not available to bring the equipment in, excavation could be unavoidable. Additionally, some cities and areas abide by regulations or soils that will eliminate the trenchless option. That is why professional assessment is always the first step. Sewer line problems are complex, and the right solution hinges on several variables such as pipe position, depth, material, extent of the damage, and what is resting on them. Something that will work for a suburban home may not be suitable for a business district.
Environmental Factors
Sewer line replacement comes with environmental and financial considerations. Traditional methods generate more waste from equipment and repairs, whereas trenchless methods tend to be more environmentally friendly and cost-efficient in materials. Trenchless replacements tend to last for years as they require fewer repairs due to quality pipe materials. Although the initial cost is greater, it can save you from future major issues.
Making The Right Choice
If you find yourself faced with deciding between a dig or no-dig method, you don’t have to decide on your own. The correct decision should be made after careful analysis and by experts familiar with the science and strategy involved in both options. Ultimately, sewer line replacement is not so much about having something done as it is about having something done in a manner that is beneficial for your home, wallet, and future.
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