What Sewer Line Repair/Replacement Option Is Best For You? | Northern Services (2024)

Your water bill may be higher than usual, or there’s a restriction of proper flow because your pipe is older or made of anything other than PVC piping.

Every homeowner wants to avoid having to repair/replace their sewer line because it’s a significant inconvenience, and most times, it jeopardizes your plumbing.

However, being aware of your sewer line replacement options will help you make an informed choice.

Read on for the top sewer line repair and replacement options.

Traditional pipe repair techniques have been the standard for repairing deteriorated or broken pipelines for many years. Often, this technique entails excavation, commonly referred to as open-cut repair, in which trenches are dug to gain access to the pipes to replace or repair them.

The first stage in an open-cut repair is to dig a trench the whole length of the broken pipe. This procedure calls for specialized personnel and large apparatus, and it can be labor-intensive and time-consuming.

After the pipe is visible, the damaged portion is cut out and replaced with a new pipe. At last, the surrounding terrain is restored, and the trench is filled in again.

Traditional methods have several disadvantages despite being widely used. Restoration can be expensive, time-consuming, and disruptive, particularly when complex structures or landscapes are involved.

Plus, there are limitations during winter due to frozen grounds, and it requires bringing in expensive thawing equipment.

As one of the leading experts in sewer pipe repair and replacement in Minnesota, we pride ourselves on being experts in cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) non-invasive trenchless solutions otherwise known as pipe lining.

1. Inspection: A thorough inspection of the sewer pipe is completed using cameras to ensure that pipe lining is a viable solution. Northern Services provides a recording of this inspection to the homeowner.
2. Cleaning: The damaged pipe is cleaned using either a high pressure water jetting system or a mechanical cleaning tool called a Picote Machine which uses chains to “knock off” the roots or structures blocking the pipe from draining. This process ensures a clean surface for the lining material to adhere to.

3. Lining material preparation: A flexible lining material is prepared and mixed with a resin that hardens when exposed to UV light.
4. Installation: The lining material is inserted into the damaged pipe using an inversion method.
5. Curing: Once the lining material is in place, it is inflated or pressed against the lining of the inner walls of the damaged pipe. UV light is then used to cure the resin, causing it to harden and adhere to the existing pipe within the old one.
6. Quality check: After the curing process, the newly lined pipe is inspected to ensure a smooth and continuous surface. Any necessary adjustments or repairs are made at this stage.

9. Any cement that has been removed is repaired and repoured. The benefits of choosing the pipe lining method are minimal disruption to the surrounding area, reduced excavation and restoration of cement, landscape or potentially outside structures such as porches or decks. This method also gives increased flow capacity and improved structural integrity of the repaired pipe.

The following steps are involved with pipe bursting:

1. Inspection: A thorough inspection of the sewer pipe is conducted to assess the condition and determine if pipe bursting is a suitable solution. This is done with a camera and the recording is given to the homeowner.
2. Site preparation: All areas where access points need to be dug are marked by the utility companies and proper permits are obtained.
3. Access points: Access points are created at the beginning and end of the section of pipe that needs to be replaced. This could be in the basem*nt of the home, right outside the home, near the street where the line connects to the city sewer among other places. These access points are small pits or holes dug down to the existing pipe.

4. Bursting head insertion: A bursting head is inserted into the existing pipe through the access point. The bursting head is larger in diameter than the existing pipe and is equipped with a cutting blade.
5. Pipe bursting: Hydraulic force is applied to the bursting head, causing it to break apart the old pipe as it is pulled through. The cutting blades on the bursting head fracture the old pipe into small pieces, which are then pushed into the surrounding soil.
6. New pipe installation: Simultaneously with the pipe bursting process, a new pipe is pulled into place behind the bursting head. The new pipe made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) is
   attached to the bursting head and pulled into the void left by the old pipe
7. Connection and restoration: Once the new pipe is in place, it is connected to the existing sewer system. Access points are then backfilled and restored. Pipe bursting offers several advantages, including minimal excavation and disruption which reduces costs, increases the flow capacity, and improves the longevity of the new pipe. If your sewer line situation isn’t ideal for pipe bursting, you could consider another method.

1. Site preparation: The area where the sewer pipe needs to be replaced is prepared by requesting that all utilities are marked, all safety measures are in place and proper permits are obtained.
2. Excavation: Trenches are dug along the path of the existing sewer pipe using excavation equipment such as backhoes or excavators. The size and depth all depends on the specifics of the job.
3. Pipe removal: Once the trench is dug, the old sewer pipe is exposed and removed. This involves cutting the pipe into sections and clearing any debris or obstructions in the trench.
4. New pipe installation: A new sewer pipe made of PVC is installed in the trench. The pipe is laid in the correct alignment and slope to ensure proper flow.
5. Connection and testing: The new pipe is connected to the existing sewer system. Once the connections are made, the system is tested for leaks and proper functioning.

1. Inspection: A thorough inspection of the sewer pipe is conducted with a camera to identify the location and extent of the damage. A recorded video is supplied to the customer to show what the damage is. A locating device is also used to find the exact location of the damaged piece of the pipe.

2. Site preparation: The area where the sewer pipe needs to be repaired is prepared by requesting that all utilities are marked, all safety measures are in place and proper permits are obtained. The specific location of the damaged area is located again.
3. Excavation preparation: The damaged area of the pipe is dug up and cleared and prepared for the repair. This involves cutting out the damaged piece of the pipe and removing any debris or obstruction in the area of the damage.
4. Pipe repair: A new piece of pipe is attached to the existing pipe with a proper coupling or fitting.
5. Restoration: Once the spot repair is completed and tested, all access points are closed and restored. This may involve backfilling and leveling. The spot repair technique is a targeted and efficient method for addressing localized damage in sewer pipes. It does minimize the need for extensive excavation, but it is important to note that sport repairs may not be a long term solution for old pipe. It may be a matter of time before another issue arises down the line for an aged sewer pipe system.