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Last Revised: 5/21/2025 | Disclaimer: Here at Mattioni, we don’t directly provide trenchless services.
If your sewer line is failing, the last thing you want is your yard torn apart, your driveway jackhammered, or your porch cracked open – all while you’re stuck without a working plumbing system until the job is done.
Trenchless sewer repair might sound like the perfect solution for your piping problem – and it might be. But there’s a lot to know before you choose it for your home.
With over 75 years helping homeowners fix their sewer lines with some of the latest technologies -including camera inspections – the team at Mattioni understands the tools and techniques needed to do the job with precision and care.
In this article, we’ll walk you through:
- What is trenchless sewer repair?
- The techniques used in trenchless repair (pipe lining and pipe bursting)
- How it compares to traditional excavation
- What situations qualify for trenchless options
You’ll learn the benefits, limitations, and cost variables so you can weigh your options and make the best decision for your home. Let’s take a closer look at how trenchless sewer repair works – and whether it’s a good option for your home.
What is Trenchless Sewer Repair?
Trenchless sewer repair is a modern technique that allows plumbers to restore or replace underground sewer lines without the need for extensive excavation. Unlike traditional methods that involve digging long trenches through your yard, driveway, or sidewalk, trenchless methods only require small access points at the entry and exit of the pipe system. From there, highly specialized equipment is used to repair or replace the pipe from the inside.
Trenchless repair has revolutionized underground plumbing by allowing faster, cleaner, and less disruptive solutions to serious sewer issues. It’s particularly popular in homes where preserving landscaping, patios, and porches is a big concern. Trenchless repairs are also highly durable and designed to last 50 years or more.
The two main techniques used in trenchless sewer repair are pipe lining and pipe bursting. Each has its advantages depending on the condition and location of your existing pipe.
What is Pipe Lining (Cured-In-Place Piping)?
Pipe lining is one of the most common trenchless methods. It involves inserting a flexible, resin-saturated liner into the existing damaged pipe. Once inside, the liner is inflated and cured – either with hot water, steam, or UV light – creating a brand-new, seamless pipe inside your existing one.
Pipe lining is ideal when your pipe is still structurally intact but has cracks, corrosion, or root intrusion that must be fixed. It quickly and easily improves flow by creating a smooth interior surface.
What is Pipe Bursting?
Pipe bursting is an option when your existing pipe is too damaged to repair with lining – such as when it has collapsed, shifted, or lost its shape. The process involves using highly powerful equipment to pull a bursting head through the old pipe, which breaks apart the existing pipe while simultaneously dragging a brand-new pipe into its place.
The new pipe is usually made of the extremely durable material high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which is resistant to corrosion, chemicals, and root intrusion. The bursting head is pulled through from one end to the other, fracturing the old pipe and leaving it in the surrounding soil.
Benefits of Trenchless Sewer Repair vs. Traditional Excavation
The most significant advantage of trenchless sewer repair is how little disruption it causes to your property – but that’s just one of several benefits that make it a preferred solution for many homeowners.
Here’s how it compares to traditional excavation
- Minimal Property Damage: Trenchless methods only require small access points, meaning your landscaping, driveway, and patio stay largely intact. That means far less disruption, cleanup, and lower restoration costs.
- Faster Job Completion Time: trenchless jobs are typically completed faster than traditional excavation repairs and replacements.
- Lower Restoration Costs: You avoid the added expense of replanting, repaving, or rebuilding after excavation – savings that often outweigh the difference in price between traditional and trenchless sewer work.
- Long-Term Durability: Materials like cured-in-place liners and HDPE are designed to withstand corrosion, root intrusion, and soil movement – with expected lifespans of 50 years or more, many backed by warranties.
Comparing the Costs: Trenchless vs. Traditional Sewer Repair
When evaluating sewer repair options, cost is at the top of your list of considerations. Trenchless repair methods often have a similar or slightly higher upfront cost compared to conventional excavation, largely due to the specialized equipment and materials involved. However, the long-term savings can be substantial and should be factored in.
Since it minimizes surface disruption, trenchless sewer repair avoids the additional expense of restoring driveways, patios, landscaping, and hardscaping. In many cases, these restoration costs can exceed the cost of the plumbing work itself.
When it comes to labor costs, traditional excavation typically requires more time and crew members. Other factors that impact price are accessibility and the condition of your pipe. A professional inspection and consultation will help you get more clarity as to your potential costs, so you can weigh your options.
How to Know if Your Home Qualifies for Trenchless Sewer Repair
Trenchless sewer repair works best in certain conditions – and may not be suitable if your pipe is too damaged or misaligned. If your sewer line has issues stemming from improper pitching, for instance, a wider excavation and re-sloping is likely to be needed.
First, have a professional camera inspection of your sewer line to get a clear picture of the type and extent of damage. Trenchless methods work best when the pipe is still largely intact – meaning it may be cracked, corroded, or intruded by roots, but not completely collapsed or misaligned. If your sewer pipe has caved in or shifted significantly, it may not support lining or allow room for bursting equipment.
The type of pipe material also plays a role. Older systems made from clay, cast iron, or Orangeburg are generally good candidates for trenchless repair because they tend to degrade over time but closely maintain their shape. PVC and newer plastic pipes may not need full replacement, though they may still qualify in certain cases.
You’ll also need to have two access points available in your home to choose trenchless sewer repair. If your property restricts access, traditional excavation may be required. Ultimately, a qualified inspection from a trained technician is the best way to determine whether trenchless sewer repair is a safe, effective option for your home.
What Happens During the Trenchless Repair Process?
If your home qualifies, here’s what to expect from the trenchless sewer repair process:
- Initial Inspection – A camera inspection of your sewer to map the line and evaluate the damage.
- Access Preparation – Small entry points are created near the ends of the pipe.
- Pipe Lining or Bursting – Depending on the damage, the call to use pipe lining or pipe bursting will be made, and the job will be conducted.
- Final Inspection – The new pipe’s flow and integrity will be tested to ensure it meets standards.
- Minimal Restoration – Since there’s little digging, you may only need light touch-up work afterward.
Most trenchless projects are completed in 1-2 days, and your system is fully functional as soon as the job is done.
Interested in Finding Out if Trenchless Sewer Repair Is Right for You?
Sewer problems can feel overwhelming, but you might have more options than you think. Trenchless sewer repair offers a less invasive way to resolve serious pipe issues. Whether you’re dealing with root intrusion, corrosion, or leaking joints, trenchless methods like pipe lining and pipe bursting may be an effective way to protect your property.
That said, trenchless solutions aren’t right for every home. Severely collapsed pipes, significant misalignments, or sagging sections may still require traditional excavation. The only way to know for sure is through a camera line inspection.
At Mattioni, we bring over 75 years of experience to every home we service. While we don’t directly provide trenchless services, we’ll take the time to learn about your home, and explain your options, so that you can make a confident and informed decision.
Don’t wait for a minor sewer line issue to turn into a major project – call us at (610) 400-8510 to get started, or book a consultation directly online. We’ll get to the root of the problem and help restore your sewer system with care and precision.
