Trenchless Sewer Line Replacement and Trenchless Water Line Overview

Trenchless sewer line replacement and trenchless water line replacement from the street to the main connection in the home or commercial property is the main scope of work we do for our clients in the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene areas. The process usually starts with a video scope of the main sewer line to access the “root” cause of the problem in the drain line. A video inspection is performed by a qualified technician that has an understanding of why a drain line is slow draining, making gurgling sounds or is not draining at all. Customers usually will have signs that a sewer line is problematic because they have had drain lines snaked or the sewer line has backed up in the basement or at a plumbing fixture in the home or building. 

Benefits and Advantages of Trenchless Technologies

Let’s go over the reasons why trenchless sewer replacement is a benefit to the customer.

Minimally Invasive

The first and most important benefit is the minimal invasiveness to the landscape on the surface. The process of trenchless pipe replacement’s main objective is to not disturb the property, sidewalk, driveway, and expensive landscaping. Replacing the landscaping in the yard without replacing the old leaking, backing-up sewer line that lies underneath the surface is a common issue.

Time Efficiency

The next reason why we use trenchless pipe replacement methods is time. In most cases, the sewer line can be replaced or reinstated in just one day. This can be a big benefit with a busy household or business that cannot close.

Prevents Property Damage

Trenchless plumbing allows plumbers to access water lines while causing minimal property damage. Using advanced equipment and state-of-the-art technology, they avoid excavation, leaving homeowners’ yards intact while repairing the plumbing lines. This method starts with a sewer camera inspection to accurately locate the damaged part, significantly reducing the need for extensive digging.

Enhanced Water Quality

Using trenchless methods to replace your water line can result in safer drinking water, especially if you’re replacing old lead pipes. Long-term exposure to lead can cause severe health issues. With trenchless technology, replacement pipes are not lead-based, ensuring cleaner and better-tasting water. Additionally, the risk of contamination is minimized as the new pipes are installed using sophisticated tools that preserve water quality.

Access to Hard-to-Reach Areas

Traditional methods struggle with water lines located below buildings or other hard-to-reach areas. Trenchless technologies, such as pipe bursting, make it easier to perform pipe repair or replacement in such challenging locations. This method involves inserting a cone-shaped bursting head into the existing pipeline to split it open and create space for the new pipe.

Cost-Effective

Since there is no need for excavation, the number of hours and tools required for the project is drastically reduced. You can save money because there’s no need to re-landscape your lawn or demolish and fix walls and flooring. Trenchless pipe replacement methods are also faster, resulting in lower labor costs.

Durability and Longevity

The pipes used in trenchless water lines are designed to be long-lasting, improving water flow and reducing issues like clogging, tree root invasion, leaks, and corrosion. With proper maintenance, these new pipes can last up to 50 years. The specialized bursting head used in trenchless pipe bursting ensures a more robust water line with greater flow capacity.

Environmentally Friendly

Trenchless plumbing techniques are better for the environment. Traditional methods involve digging large trenches, which can destroy lawns and natural habitats and release dangerous toxins into the air. In contrast, trenchless methods are non-invasive, keeping the ground intact. Materials used, such as epoxy resins in cured-in-place piping, are safe and often made from recycled materials.

Safety

Trenchless methods are less strenuous and challenging, thereby reducing the risk of injuries and safety concerns. With qualified and experienced plumbers handling the project, trenchless water line replacement offers peace of mind by ensuring safety for everyone involved.

By incorporating these benefits, trenchless water line replacement proves to be a superior choice over traditional methods, offering convenience, cost savings, and a host of other advantages.

How is Trenchless Water Line Replacement a Safer Option Compared to Traditional Methods?

Opting for trenchless sewer line replacement significantly enhances safety measures in multiple ways. Traditional methods typically involve extensive digging, which not only disrupts your property but also poses numerous risks to both workers and the public.

Reduced Physical Labor

In contrast, trenchless technology minimizes the need for large-scale excavation. This means a lot less heavy machinery, reducing the chances of accidents on-site. With minimal digging, the possibility of hitting underground utilities is greatly diminished, safeguarding both infrastructure and lives.

Lower Risk of Soil Contamination

Traditional digging methods often expose and disturb soil, which can lead to contamination and the unearthing of harmful substances. Trenchless techniques ensure that the soil remains largely undisturbed, maintaining the integrity of your property and reducing environmental hazards.

Fewer Hazards for Residents

By using trenchless methods, you avoid leaving open trenches around your home or business. Open pits can be a safety hazard for anyone nearby, especially children and pets. Without these hazards, your immediate surroundings remain safer for everyone.

Expert Involvement

When you hire qualified and experienced plumbers, they bring specialized knowledge and skills to handle the advanced trenchless equipment safely and efficiently. Expert plumbers ensure that the entire process is executed with the highest safety standards.

Key Safety Benefits

• Minimal Disruption: Less digging means fewer hazards and a more stable environment.
• Lower Risk of Accidents: Reduced heavy machinery decreases the chance of workplace injuries.
• Environmental Protection: Maintains soil integrity and prevents exposure to contaminants.
• Enhanced Safety for Non-workers: Eliminates open trenches, keeping unintended casualties at bay.

In summary, trenchless water line replacement is a safer, smarter choice that prioritizes the well-being of both people and the environment.

What Spokane Homes Typically Need Sewer Line Replacement in Spokane?

Shaw Trenchless does sewer and water replacement in the city of Spokane. The homes in Spokane on average are older than 50 years old. This has passed the life expectancy of most or all sewer and water lines. On the South Hill of Spokane clay tile piping is common. The Clay Tile pipe can become cracked and separate from its joints causing sewer to leach and leak into the ground. Once this occurs roots from trees will find their way to the nutrients and invade the sewer pipe causing the drain line to break and cause a blockage in the sewer line. Homes that were built in the mid 1950’s all the way to the 1990’s are commonly plumbed with Orangeburg pipe from the edge of the foundation to the main sewer line in the street or alleyway. Orangeburg’s official name is Bituminized Fiber Pipe (Black in color) and it has the nickname Orangburg because it was originally manufactured in Orangeburg New York dating back to 1927. This is found all over northside of Spokane Washington and in main parts of Coeur d’ Alene Idaho.

What’s the Problem with Orangeburg Pipe / Bituminized Fiber Pipe?

Orangeburg was never intended or designed to be pressurized. The pipe is made of layers of wood pulp. We all know what happens to wood that is in the ground for a long period of time. The wood gets rotten and loses its structural integrity. The same goes for Orangeburg pipe the pipe loses structure, breaks apart and leaks into the ground causing a sewer backup. Once the sewer backups up the sewer line is full of water and sewage the drain becomes under pressure and collapsus the Orangeburg pipe. Now the real problem has occurred: the line is no longer working and the drain backs up and out the plumbing fixtures in the home or building. Because Orangeburg does not like pressure, jetting should never be performed on an Orangeburg sewer line. At the end of the day once an Orangeburg pipe starts having issues it needs replaced as soon as possible. The line will collapse and the customer will have no service. 

Two Kinds of Trenchless Sewer Line Replacement 

Cured in Place Pipe or CIPP

There are two methods of trenchless pipe replacement that Shaw Trenchless provides. The first method is referred to as Cured in place pipe or CIPP for short. CIPP involves inverting an impregnated felt liner with resin and hardener into the existing host pipe with specialized equipment. The liner is then hardened by exposure to hot or a Ultra violet ray. This makes a smooth and hard surface and is an excellent way of creating a new sewer line from the building to the main sewer connection in the street. In order to perform this method the host pipe must be still round and not be collapsed.

Trenchless Pipe Bursting

 The second method is known as Pipe bursting. Pipe bursting is just how it sounds. Two access points must be made; the first access point is for the hydraulic pulling machine commonly placed in the ground in the street or alley because of the weight and size of the pulling device. The second access is made for the new flexible sewer line known as High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) for short. This pipe is elastic, extremely strong and is the perfect product for pipe bursting. The new pipe is then connected to a large industrial cable that is being pulled by the pipe pulling machine in the street or alley. The pipe pulling machine is then operated by a hydraulic control panel operated by a certified technician. The burst head that is connected to the new HDPE and cable splits the old sewer line into the ground while drawing in the HDPE sewer line. Once the new line has been pulled in place underground the HDPE is connected to the existing plumbing in the building and the other end where the puller is removed is connected to the main sewer line in the street or alley. 

Why Pick Shaw Trenchless for your Sewer Line Replacement Project in Spokane? 

Shaw Trenchless has qualified highly trained technicians that can accomplish trenchless projects that others may not be able to. We pride ourselves on being creative thinkers and getting projects accomplished efficiently and using cost saving methods. Shaw Trenchless has state of the art tooling and equipment that is specialized for sewer and water utility replacement. We are a local small business doing big things!