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Trenchless Sewer Repair vs. Traditional Digging: Pros & Cons

As important as sewer lines are to the overall functionality of your house, unfortunately, they’re not always completely immune to undergoing damage. When this is the case, sewer repair becomes urgent. For many decades, the only option to repair the sewer lines was to traditionally dig for the pipes to inspect where the area of the damage was. This scenario naturally caused a big mess and was very time- and effort-consuming. Nowadays, there’s also the option of trenchless sewer repair. If you are dealing with a broken sewer pipe and can’t decide which option is better for you, you can stop your worries, as we have prepared this guide. In this article, we’ll go over the benefits and drawbacks of both options so you can make an informed decision.

What Does Conventional Excavation Entail?

In order to understand the exact location of the damage, this method simply consists of excavating a large area and removing the pipes to repair all the damaged areas.

Pros-

  • Because of the excavation process, professional plumbers can easily analyze the entire situation and extent of the damage.
  • Again, because of the excavation, plumbers can also observe to see if there are additional issues, especially regarding the surrounding soil.
  • It has been the gold standard of pipe repairing for many years.

Cons

  • The excavation process is very effort- and time-consuming, and you may not have a functional sewer line for a week, which can disrupt your daily life severely.
  • The excavation process causes significant damage to your driveways and yard, and it can take a long amount of time for it to go back to its original form.
  • After the process, the restoration process also comes up as an additional cost.

What Does Trenchless Sewer Repair Entail?

Trenchless sewer repair in Salado, TX is the latest technological advancement that allows repairs without serious digging like traditional methods. There are mainly two methods that allow this to happen—pipe lining and pipe bursting. Both are carried out through narrow openings as opposed to open trenches.

Pros

  • Minimal disturbance: Since the procedure only requires small holes, you’ll be able to preserve your landscaping as well as your driveway.
  • Reduced long-term costs: Even though it may seem as if the initial cost of the trenchless methods is more, remember that you won’t be paying additional restoration costs.
  • Since the job is minimally invasive, it gets completed faster so you can go back to your daily life faster.

Cons

  • Sometimes, the situation of the pipes can be so severe, excavation may be necessary either way. So, trenchless methods may not always be suitable.
  • A set of specialized equipment and proper training with many years of experience is essential to handle this job.
  • Like we mentioned, the initial cost of this process is usually higher compared to the traditional method. But most of the time, with the added restoration expenses, the cost turns out to be approximately the same.

Picking the Ideal Method for You

The best option for your sewer repair journey is entirely dependent on many factors, such as the layout of your property, the severity of the damage, and your budget. If you don’t mind some excavation in your backyard and the situation is really suitable for it, you can consider the traditional approach. On the other hand, if you’ve been working on a yard design project for a while now or if the layout of your yard is simply not suitable, then trenchless sewer repair is the way to go.If you are concerned about the status of your sewer lines and think that it’s time for a repair, contact the professionals of Mr. Rooter Plumbing. We offer all sorts of plumbing services you may need and will help you make an informed decision about what the best option for your home is. Contact us today to learn more and schedule your appointment.

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