Trenchless Repair
Trenchless Repair | Main Line Issues | Plumbing
Your sewer or water line doesn’t have to become a full-scale excavation site. HEP’s trenchless repair team pinpoints and fixes main line issues from the surface, slipping a durable new pipe liner through the existing line to seal cracks, root intrusions, and corrosion without tearing up your yard, driveway, or sidewalk. Because we rely on state-of-the-art cameras and cured-in-place technology, most jobs wrap up in a single day—leaving you with a fully restored line and none of the mess.
From the first video inspection to the final pressure test, our licensed plumbers keep you informed and in control. You’ll get transparent pricing, a workmanship guarantee, and round-the-clock emergency support, so surprises stay in the ground where they belong. If you’re seeing backups, soggy spots, or skyrocketing water bills, let HEP resolve those main line issues quickly, cleanly, and permanently—no trenches required.
FAQs
What is trenchless main line repair and how does it work?
Trenchless main line repair is a modern plumbing technique that fixes or replaces underground sewer and water pipes without digging long, open trenches. Depending on the problem, plumbers use either pipe lining (inserting a resin-soaked liner that hardens into a new pipe inside the old one) or pipe bursting (pulling a new HDPE pipe through the existing line while fracturing the old pipe outward). Access is gained through one or two small entry pits, minimizing disruption to your property.
What kinds of main line issues can trenchless methods solve?
Trenchless technology addresses most common sewer and water main problems, including root intrusion, cracks, corrosion, leaking joints, offset or collapsed sections, and diameter restrictions caused by mineral scale. It also works for clay, cast iron, concrete, Orangeburg, and some PVC lines, provided the path of the original pipe is still largely intact and accessible from both ends.
How long does trenchless repair take compared with traditional excavation?
A typical residential trenchless job is completed in one day, from setup to final camera inspection. Traditional excavation often requires two to five days for digging, repair, backfilling, and site restoration. Because trenchless methods need less digging, they shorten labor time, reduce heavy equipment usage, and eliminate days of landscape recovery.
Will trenchless repair damage my yard, landscaping, or driveway?
Only minimal access pits—usually 2–3 feet wide—are required at the pipe’s entry and exit points. Your lawn, trees, patio, and driveway remain largely untouched. Compared with open-cut trenching that can carve a 3–5-foot-wide trench the entire pipe length, trenchless work preserves landscaping, hardscapes, and underground utilities, saving you the cost and hassle of post-repair restoration.
How durable is a relined or replaced pipe, and what is the expected lifespan?
Cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) liners bond to the host pipe and create a joint-free, corrosion-resistant pipe rated for 50+ years. Pipe bursting installs high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe with a similar half-century life expectancy that resists roots, chemicals, and ground movement. Most manufacturers back their products with 10–50-year material warranties, and reputable contractors offer additional labor guarantees.
Is trenchless repair more expensive than traditional digging, and is it covered by insurance or warranties?
Upfront, trenchless repair can be 10–30% higher than open-cut quotes for the pipe work alone. However, when you factor in the price of replacing driveways, sidewalks, landscaping, or hardscaping destroyed by excavation, trenchless methods are often the less expensive total-project option. Homeowners’ insurance rarely covers routine wear or root damage, but many policies honor sudden pipe breaks; always confirm with your carrier. Most trenchless repairs come with extended manufacturer and contractor warranties that exceed those offered for conventional repairs.