Trenchless Pipe Bursting
Sometimes. Pipe bursting replaces your sewer line with a new pipe through the old path, with two small access pits instead of a trench.
- ✓ 24/7 emergency line
- ✓ Serving Edmonton and area
Signs you need this
- The camera shows a pipe too damaged or collapsed to line
- A line with many breaks along its length
- You want a full replacement without trenching the whole yard
How pipe bursting works
Pipe bursting replaces your sewer line along the same path without trenching the whole yard.
- Small access pits are dug at each end of the line.
- A cone-shaped bursting head is pulled through the old pipe.
- As it moves, it breaks the old pipe outward into the soil and pulls a new pipe in behind it.
- The new pipe is connected at both ends.
The result is a brand-new pipe, not a liner inside the old one.
When it beats lining
- The old pipe is too broken or collapsed for a liner to follow.
- The line is very short, around 15 feet or less, where lining may not work.
- The line has multiple connections that make lining difficult.
The water-line risk
Your water line often runs just a few inches from your sewer line. Pipe bursting pushes the old pipe outward into the soil, and that can put the water line at risk. We locate the water line during the assessment and factor it into the choice. If the risk is too high, lining or excavation may be the better option.
The slope limit
Pipe bursting follows the old pipe’s path, so it can’t fix the slope. Lines with a belly or slope problem can’t be fixed by pipe bursting and need excavation. See sewer line replacement.
Which one is right?
Lining, pipe bursting and dig-and-replace each fit different lines. A camera inspection is how we choose. See sewer lining vs pipe bursting.
Price
We quote pipe bursting after a camera inspection, because the price depends on the line’s length, depth and access.
Repairs to service lines on your property aren’t typically covered by a basic homeowner’s insurance policy, so the choice of method matters to your budget.
Our process
Camera inspection
Confirms the line's condition, length and slope, and where the water line runs.
Dig access pits
Small pits at each end, instead of a trench along the whole line.
Burst and pull
A bursting head breaks the old pipe outward while pulling the new pipe in behind it.
Connect and check
The new pipe is connected at both ends and checked with the camera.
Questions people ask
When is pipe bursting better than lining?
When the old pipe is too broken or collapsed for a liner to follow, or when a short line or multiple connections rule lining out.
Is there any risk to my water line?
Yes. The water line often runs a few inches from the sewer line, and pipe bursting can put it at risk. We locate it before deciding.
Can pipe bursting fix a sag in the line?
No. Lines with a belly or slope problem can't be fixed by pipe bursting and need excavation.
How much does it cost?
It depends on the length, depth and access, so we quote pipe bursting after a camera inspection.
Talk to us today
Call, or send a few details and photos and we will get back to you.