Open Excavation Versus Trenchless Repairs: Why More Plumbing Companies Are Turning to CIPP Lining for Sewer Line Repairs

Open Excavation versus Trenchless Repair: What's Best for Sewer Line Jobs?

Plumbing companies know the need for sewer line replacements in aging communities. Tree root intrusion, shifting ground, and natural disasters can all create issues with old cast iron and clay sewer lines. But providing sewer repair services means choosing the right repair methods for your customers.

And when sizing up open excavation versus trenchless repair options, the repair you choose is a matter of time, money, and convenience for both companies and their customers.

Open Excavation versus Trenchless Sewer Line Repair: What’s the Difference?

The most apparent difference between open excavation and trenchless repair is digging. But for plumbing companies, there’s a lot more to consider before investing in a sewer repair method for your business. Let’s start by looking at what each method takes to complete.

Open Excavation for Sewer Repair: Step-By-Step

Breaking it down to its most basic components, there are nine essential steps to any open excavation sewer repair, starting with locating the sewer line itself. From there, the process requires careful work to keep other buried utilities intact.

The repair will take digging down to the sewer line. This could require removal of hardscapes, sod, and concrete to complete the repairs.

  1. Locate the sewer line

  2. Locate utilities near the sewer line

  3. Mark the excavation area

  4. Remove obstructions

  5. Dig the trench

  6. Cut out tree roots

  7. Assess the repair needs

  8. Replace the sewer line

  9. Rehab the trench and any landscaping, hardscaping, or other damage

Trenchless CIPP Lining for Sewer Repair: Step-By-Step

Without the need to physically map out the location of the sewer line, trenchless repair typically starts with a visual inspection with a CCTV system. After prepping materials and locating an access point, which is typically an interior line or a small pit close to the damaged pipe, the line is cleaned. The liner is then installed and cured, with a final inspection before reinstatement.

  1. Inspect the pipe

  2. Prep materials

  3. Locate access points

  4. Clean the pipe

  5. Install the liner

  6. Cure the resin

  7. Inspect the finished job

  8. Reinstate service

In both open excavation and trenchless repair, the work requires training and preparation to keep teams and customers safe. And in both cases, the results are clean, secure sewer lines that will last for decades. But the amount of disruption for the two jobs is quite different. And this is where companies should determine the best investment.

What’s Better: Open Excavation or Trenchless Repair?

Choosing open excavation or trenchless repair for your plumbing business is a big decision. And that decision depends on the types of work you typically see. Most residential repair work could benefit more from trenchless repair than open excavation, but if your company focuses on large-scale repair and replacement work, open excavation might be necessary in more situations.

Pros and Cons of Open Excavation

Open excavation offers a more versatile repair option than trenchless repairs, but it comes with some drawbacks that could be detrimental in some situations. While direct access to the lines helps ensure the quality of the repairs, it also means disrupting the areas around the sewer line.

Pros:

  • The work can be physically inspected

  • Any type of issue can be addressed, including bellies and collapses

Cons:

  • Sewer lines must be located accurately to avoid disrupting other utilities

  • Typically requires destruction of adjacent features like landscaping and concrete

  • Longer timelines for repairs and rehab of property

  • Often more expensive than trenchless methods

  • Trenching is considered highly dangerous, especially for deeper excavations

Pros and Cons of Trenchless Repair

Although a physical inspection of the work isn’t possible, trenchless repairs like CIPP lining use video inspections that can make sure the liner is properly cured and ready for reinstatement. But trenchless repairs save both time and money by avoiding landscape tear-out.

Pros:

  • Fast turnaround for repairs

  • No need for repairing or replacing features disrupted by trenches

  • No heavy machinery required

Cons:

Safety, Convenience, and Expense

When these pros and cons are weighed against each other, trenchless repair comes out ahead far more often than open excavation. It’s safer, more efficient, less expensive, and faster. And with proper CCTV inspections, trenchless sewer repairs are just as effective as open excavation repairs.

Is It Worth Investing in CIPP for Sewer Repair?

Trenchless CIPP repair is a game changer for small- to medium-sized plumbing companies. The initial investment may seem steep, but the return on that investment is significant. Since CIPP lining requires no disruption of roadways, destruction of property, or time-consuming rehabilitation, repair teams can provide better customer experiences with less time and effort for each job.

And with financing options available, T3 Lining Supply can work with your budget to get you started. Our experienced training team is available in person, on location, or virtually to help you start your trenchless sewer repair service quickly and without frustration.

Contact T3 today to find out more about starting a CIPP repair business or adding trenchless sewer repair to your company!

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