Trenchless Pipe Replacement Services

Many older homes experience problems with their main sewer and water lines; some lines have cracked, corroded or tree roots have grown their way through the pipe. When a sewer line experiences any of these problems, it causes back-ups which can destroy the contents of a home not to mention the contents that are leaching into the ground. When a main water line experiences this problem, you could potentially be losing thousands of dollars in water you are not receiving – it’s just going back into the ground. When a gas line experiences this problem, this is a hazard….it could cause an explosion! In some instances these lines need to be dug up and replaced, which is costly, destructive and time consuming.

LANGE PLUMBING performs trenchless pipe replacement or "pipe-bursting", which simply means we split the old pipe while installing a new one, simultaneously! This system of replacing underground pipe prevents digging long, ugly and disruptive trenches through your lawn, across your sidewalk and/or driveway, it’s cost effective and environmentally friendly.

The trenchless method installs the new pipe by pulling it through the old pipe, behind a special cutting head or bursting cone that expands the old pipe ahead of the new pipe as it travels underground. Debris from the old pipe remains in the ground as a stabilizer. The soil absorbs vibrations from the pneumatic heads so that nearby utilities aren’t disturbed. Pipe bursting is an efficient way to replace water, gas, sewer and production lines without disturbing the ground above.

The operation is simple. The first step is to determine where the line must begin and end. Once determined, two small pits are dug, each approximately 24" wide x 36" and as deep as the pipe that is being replaced. One pit (the entry pit) will be used to feed the line, and the other (the pulling pit) will contain the pulling unit ready to pull the pipe through the ground.

The pulling unit is then assembled in the pulling pit and butted against wooden shoring that surrounds the old pipe or newly bored pilot hole. Next the pulling cable is hand-pushed from the entry pit through to the pulling pit and threaded onto a wench. In the entry pit, the cable is passed through the hollow bursting cone, through the pipe guide, through the new pipe and attached to the pipe boot with a retaining pin. (See diagram)

The pulling unit then begins to slowly pull the bursting cone through the old pipe, cutting it and making way for the new pipe.

Once done, the pulling unit is disassembled, the cable is retrieved and the pulling process is complete. The diagram below illustrates the process the process overall.

*Please note that for the purposes of this brief description, "pipe" refers to the line being pulled no matter what type.

Trenchless pipe repair and replacement takes less time than older methods and costs less than traditional excavation and restoration. It’s also approved by local plumbing authorities. Our trenchless sewer line repair and replacement is the next step in quality sewer maintenance with less environmental impact.