When you think about replacing or repairing a pipe system in your home, do you imagine the nightmare of a ripped up lawn, destroyed flower beds, and gaping holes in the walls?
It doesn’t have to be like that!
Old-fashioned sewer or water line repair does involve intrusive access to the damaged pipes—by gouging a huge, muddy trench across your property. But nowadays, many Mississauga plumbers employ a technique called trenchless pipe repair.
As the name suggests, trenchless repair technology eliminates the need to reach damaged pipes by digging a large unsightly trench—yet that’s not the only benefit. Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Mississauga provides those non-invasive services. We’re here to tell you both what it is, and why it’s the best option for Mississauga homeowners.
What is Trenchless Pipe Repair?
Nothing lasts forever, and that’s certainly true for sewer and water lines. Those hard-working pipes degrade with normal use over time, and they’re also subject to damage caused by everything from tree roots and pests to heavy construction and earthquakes.Thankfully there’s now an alternative to the old, messy, disruptive way of fixing that damage.
Simply put, trenchless repairs are a method for repairing or replacing your lines in a minimally invasive way. It uses advanced equipment that makes it possible to address underground issues without having to dig trenches in your yard..
There’s essentially two different types of trenchless repair: pipe lining and bursting. Either option may be used, depending on the extent of the damage to your lines and the unique structure of your property.
Lining
Cracks and breaks in your lines are a serious problem that could lead to severe structural damage for your home and lawn — and create a health hazard for your family. Lining is a trenchless repair solution in which pipes are fitted with a sleeve that seals up any cracks and makes it completely watertight again. The sleeve is usually made of fiberglass and epoxy.
How it Works:
Your plumber will first clean all lines thoroughly to remove any debris and sediment built-up inside. They then dig one small hole and add the lining, ensuring damaged sections are entirely covered by that new sleeve. The lining hardens over time, and within a few hours your pipes are functioning like new again, quickly and efficiently!
Bursting
If your sewer or water lines have suffered extensive damage, there might not be enough intact to make relining a viable option. That is where bursting comes in.
Bursting uses high-tech hydraulic equipment to break up buried lines and then thread a replacement section into the space left behind—or in some cases, directly through the old one.
How it Works:
Your plumber will dig two holes near the most damaged stretch and insert a pointed installation head that is around the same size as the section being replaced. The new section is then pulled through and fixed in place.
Once your trenchless service is complete, the new sections will be:
More durable
Compliant with building codes
Chemical resistant
Clear of tree root penetration.
What Are the Benefits of Trenchless Pipe Repair?
Now that you know what trenchless technology is and the difference between relining and bursting, we can explain why those solutions are better than the traditional methods of repairing or replacing sewer and water lines.
When compared to old-fashioned techniques, trenchless repairs and replacement come out on top in every category — from cost to comfort level. Let’s take a look at some of the many benefits trenchless repairs provide.
Less Damage
As already mentioned, the damage to your property is drastically reduced with trenchless repair methods. Your plumber will only need to dig one or two small holes — instead of a massive, deep trench running across your property.
With old-fashioned methods, it could take years to get your landscaping back to normal after a path of destruction is cut through your lawn. Trenchless repair or replacement methods preserve your property — and your curb appeal.
Lower Costs
When you hear about a new, high-tech method of home improvement, one of your first thoughts might be, “This is going to cost me.” But, trenchless services are actually significantly less expensive than digging a trench.
Why? Here are four reasons:
You don’t have to pay for labour involved with digging and filling a trench, which takes quite a while and costs quite a lot.
You don’t have to pay to fix damage left behind by a trench, which is necessary to avoid further soil damage and preserve your home’s value.
You don’t have to miss work for an extended period of time or pay to stay in a hotel, since plumbers typically complete trenchless repairs within one day.
The relined or newly replaced sections will be more durable and resistant to damage, meaning they’ll last a lot longer and save you money on repairs down the line.
Quicker Service
For reasons similar to those about cost, trenchless repair is a lot faster than digging a trench. Obviously, digging a huge trench takes a long time. Filling it in takes a long time too. Repairing damage that trench causes to landscaping takes a long time too—sometimes years.
Comparatively, trenchless repairs are completed quickly—often in less than a day—and the minimal damage they cause can be fixed rapidly as well, so your property will be totally back to normal in a very short time. Your neighbours might not even notice what’s happening!
Higher Quality
In addition to being a cheaper, faster, and less-damaging option, work done with trenchless technology is also of a higher quality than repairs done using the old trench method.
Relined pipes and new PVC replacements are better quality than traditional replacements. They’ll remain free of rust and corrosion, easily fend off intruders like tree roots, and reduce effects of shifting soil. That means they’ll last much longer and need less maintenance than older types of piping.
Minimal Interruption
Having your lines repaired or replaced via a trench means you might have to vacate your home for an extended period of time while the repairs are underway, causing a stressful disruption to your family and schedule. You’ll definitely have to shut off your water supply.
With trenchless pipe repair, a couple of simple precautions will allow you to remain in your home while the repairs are being carried out, since plumbers are often able to finish the repairs in just one day. The convenience of having your home usable and functioning correctly in a short amount of time can’t be undervalued!
Cleaner Water
Of course, this applies specifically to water lines that are carrying water into your home, but it’s an important one. As opposed to your old pipes, your relined or replaced water pipes will be free of lead, corrosion, sediment and bacteria.
Cleaner pipes mean that the water your family drinks and bathes in will be cleaner and safer too, keeping everyone healthier and less vulnerable to disease. You may even notice an improvement in the taste of your drinking water!
Environmentally Friendly
Home improvements and repairs, not to mention damage to your pipe systems, can have severe consequences for the local Mississauga environment. Trenchless pipe repairs are more environmentally friendly than the alternative, for two reasons:
Digging a trench is disruptive to nearby flora and fauna, while trenchless methods are far less invasive.
Leaking sewage, or even just leaking water, can be highly destructive to the environment — especially to nearby animals and plants. Relined pipes and PVC pipes are far less susceptible to cracks and breaks, protecting the ground they’re buried in (and, everyone and everything nearby) from serious ecological damage.
What Are the Signs of a Broken Pipe?
There’s no doubt that trenchless repair is preferable to the old-fashioned trench method in every way—and if you’re investigating the difference between the two, you probably have reason to suspect that your sewer or water lines are in need of repair.
But what are the signs of a broken or cracked pipe? Here are some of the most common symptoms to check for in both your home’s interior and exterior:
Sewage smells coming from your drains, basement, or yard
Visible bits of sediment or grit in your drinking and bathing water
Unusually high water bills
Strange noises coming from your drains or toilets, such as gurgling, bubbling, squeaking, or grinding
No water in your toilet bowl, or frequent clogs
Slow draining (or no draining) in showers, bathtubs, & sinks
Visible sewage in your toilet, bathtub, or shower
Water pooling on your lawn
Lush grass surprisingly grows on parts of your yard
While a couple of these signs may have explanations other than a broken or cracked pipe, damaged pipes are the most likely culprit. In any case, all these signs indicate that you need to get a professional plumber to take a look and diagnose the problem before the damage spreads.
What Causes Cracked and Broken Pipes?
If you’re pretty sure you’re dealing with broken or cracked pipes (and are sure that trenchless repair is the best solution), you might be wondering how that happened. There are a lot of reasons why pipes crack and break, but the following causes are more common.
Wear & Tear
Just like any other materials, your sewer and water lines will eventually degrade and break down as a normal result of their natural aging process. Exactly how long they’ll last before they need trenchless pipe repair depends on various circumstances; if your home is on the older side, wear and tear is a prominent factor.
Debris & Clogs
Even the natural debris that comes from mineral build-up inside water lines is enough to cause damage that results in full collapse. Waste lines are even more vulnerable to blockage. Problematic materials like grease and baby wipes could get stuck inside your sewer main. If they’re not cleared, they could cause a burst.
Tree Root Intrusion
As mentioned above, tree root intrusion is a leading cause of broken pipes. If you have trees on your property, they could be your culprit. Even trees that appear to be far away from your property could have roots that reach your buried lines.
Tree roots can climb into the tiniest little crack or gap in your pipes. Once they touch water, they begin to grow rapidly, smashing the pipe apart in the process. They can also wrap around an intact pipe and crush it as they grow.
Ground Freeze and Thaw Cycle
In Mississauga’s climate, cold temperatures cause the ground to freeze and thaw multiple times throughout the winter. This constrict and release cycle can be really hard on pipes, leading to cracks that only get worse and worse as seasons change.
Renovations or Heavy Construction Nearby
If your home was renovated recently, it’s possible that the pipes were inadvertently damaged during the home improvement process. This problem can also come from other external factors. Nearby heavy construction (or even earthquakes) can cause tremors in the ground that are capable of damaging your sewer and water lines.
Rely on Mr. Rooter for Trenchless Pipe Repair!
When you have damaged sewer or water lines, it’s critical to get them taken care of immediately, before they cause more damage to your property or jeopardize your family’s health.
Which method should you use to repair or replace your lines? Well… when you have two options and one of them is cheaper, faster, higher quality, and less damaging, it’s a no-brainer; trenchless pipe repair is the way to go!
Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Mississauga today at 905-817-0210, and we’ll show you why we’re Mississauga’s most trusted plumbing experts! We provide trenchless services for all nearby Mississauga communities, including Erin Mills, Cooksville, and Hurontario.