Home repairs are usually unexpected and unwelcome. But they are necessary to keep your home in tip top shape. A sewer repair is a good example of this. Without a properly flowing sewer, you risk not only costly backups, but also your health and the health of those you love. Read about the health risks of sewer backups here. As with any major home repair, the first question you will ask is how much will it cost? Specializing in trenchless sewer repair, we receive this question a lot. Unfortunately, there’s no “set” cost to trenchless sewer repair, as each home and situation is different. In today’s post, we delve into the factors that lead us to determining trenchless sewer repair costs for your unique repair needs.
Trenchless Method Used
When it comes to trenchless sewer repair, there are a few different methods available. The most common methods are cured-in-place pipe (CIPP), pulled-in-place pipe (PIPP) and pipe bursting. The CIPP approach uses a textile liner impregnated with liquid resin. The process begins with “wetting out” the liner with the resin, inverting it into the existing pipe with air pressure and curing it. Curing causes the resin to stick to the existing pipe walls. CIPP creates brand new pipes directly within the old ones, preventing further deterioration and root intrusion.
PIPP utilizes a saturated felt tube wrapped around a bladder. Steam inflates the bladder, pulling it through the deteriorated section of pipe. Steam cures the resin, causing it to adhere to the host pipe. After curing, what remains are brand new, structurally sound pipes. The PIPP method is ideal for spot repairs and for repairing short sections of deteriorated pipe.
Pipe bursting is a trenchless method that replaces badly broken and deteriorated sewer pipe. Unlike CIPP or PIPP methods, pipe bursting involves digging two holes on both ends of the pipe to replace it, not repair it. A hydraulic tool pulls a bursting head through the broken pipe, breaking it into pieces, while lying new pipe in its place. For severely damaged or distorted sewer pipes. pipe bursting is often the only trenchless technology that works.
Size and Length of Your Current Pipe
The size and length of your current sewer pipes make a significant impact on the cost of your sewer lining. Spot repairs or repairs of smaller sections of your sewer line will cost less than lining the entire length of your line. Additionally, the diameter of your pipes also plays into the cost of lining. It costs more to line a larger diameter pipe than to repair the same length with a smaller diameter pipe because more resin is used.
Access to Your Existing Pipe
The physical location of your sewer line can present challenges when considering trenchless sewer repair. An abundance of trees, shrubs, walkways and other landscaping features can limit your repair. Additionally, pools, patios and other fixtures in your yard can also hinder access to your sewer line. Lastly, underground utilities or a sewer repair in a city street or public right of way can also make access to your sewer line a challenge and will most likely result in higher costs for your repair.
The Condition of Your Existing Sewer Pipe
While any kind of sewer pipe can be lined, the condition of the pipes is one of the best indicators of which method of trenchless sewer repair we recommend and how much your trenchless repair costs. The best way to gauge the condition of your sewer pipes is by performing a sewer camera inspection. A sewer inspection pinpoints all areas of deterioration and allows us to recommend the best trenchless method for your repair.
Putting it All Together
Taking into account the above factors, our technicians devise customized plans for your sewer repair. This plan is complete with problems identified, recommendations for your repair and you also receive a copy of your sewer video inspection. With this customized plan, you can be confident knowing that your sewer problems will become a thing of the past.