Which Trenchless Technology Is Better? Cured In Place (CIPP) vs Pipe Bursting

Sewer Pipe Line Repair

A burst sewer pipe in your home or small business is always a major inconvenience, but you can limit the impact on your wallet and stress levels by making a few smart choices about how you handle the situation. Fortunately, these days you do not need to tear up your entire yard to get at a broken sewer pipe thanks to advances in trenchless repair technology. However, choosing the right kind of trenchless repair for your particular needs takes a bit of knowledge.

While they both represent major advances in plumbing repair technology, not all of the current trenchless pipe repair techniques are as effective in different situations. When you are facing burst or leaking pipes is the worst time to try and learn about the different types of trenchless repair, so we have compiled all the necessary information for you here. Before you make a decision about how to fix your piping problems in your residence or office, it is worthwhile to take a moment to compare pipe bursting trenchless repair versus epoxy pipe lining.

What Are the Similarities?
Both of these technologies have gained broad acceptance for both residential and commercial pipe repairs since the early 1980s. Epoxy pipe lining is also known as “cured-in-place piping” (CIPP) and pipe bursting is usually known as upsizing or pipe splitting. Both of these techniques will repair your damaged sewer and water lines without needing to dig up and remove your old pipes.

The trenchless approach for solving underground piping problems saves many home and business owners a few thousand dollars every year. Both of these technologies eliminate the cost and stress of an excavation, which also helps preserve any expensive landscaping. While both of these techniques will accomplish the same goal, they each depend on very different operations.

Does Pipe Splitting Actually Burst Pipes?
Pipe splitting performs very much as advertised, using special equipment that will burst through your existing pipe, while it also expands the surrounding soil and draws replacement piping into place. This process can generally handle any diameter of piping.

The large size of the pipe-bursting equipment will require digging a pit for insertion, which means that the operation is not actually totally trenchless. Percussion forces resulting from the bursting pipe will often cause substantial ground movement that can affect the infrastructure around the work site. Pipe splitting is more risky in sandy or rocky soils, so its use always requires a thorough site study to establish the appropriateness of the conditions, and also requires a high degree of mechanical caution when in use.

How Does CIPP Work?
Cured-in-place piping involves the fabrication of materials on-site, and then the running of resin-soaked liners through your damaged sewer or water pipe lines. The two-part epoxy will cure in place, which creates a structural bond to the material of the original pipe. This way the success of the operation is independent of the surrounding soil conditions, and it will not generate any dangerous ground movement. This technology will work with any type of line including clay pipes, PVC and cast-iron drains, with an average completion time of one or two days. Most epoxy pipe lining brands come with 10-year guarantees. Unlike in the case of pipe splitting, CIPP is safe to use in virtually all types of sewer or water line repair.

Whether relining or pipe bursting is better for your needs depends on the details of your situation: how deep is your pipe, how extensive is the damage, and where is it located on your property?

Pipe bursting will cost roughly $125 to $200 for each foot, which will result in a $3,500 to $20,000 bill depending on the length of your repair. Pipe bursting is basically the underground replacement of your pipe, and the cost will depend on the depth and length of the damaged pipe.

Relining your damaged pipe will usually cost between $150 to $250 for each foot, which will result in total repair costs between $4,000 and $20,000 depending on the circumstances. Most relining operations end up costing between $6,000 and $12,000.

Since the final cost and safety of the operation depends on the exact circumstances of your problem, the first thing you should do is contact plumbing professionals who offer both services, as well as inspections and estimates.

We would love to offer you an estimate for both. Give us a call today.