All About Pipe Bursting

Pipe bursting is one of the newest methods to replace a damaged pipe.  It involves a new pipe trailing behind a device pushed through the damaged pipe.  The device will burst the pipe as it travels along.  The pipe trailing behind will replace the burst pipe.

In the old days, you would have to have the entire length of the pipe dug up.  Once the dirt has been removed, the pipe can be repaired or even replaced entirely.  However, there are quite a few disadvantages of this old method when compared to pipe bursting.

If the ground needs to be dug up in order to get to the pipe, it will ruin your lawn or garden.  After the repair job has been completed, the fill dirt will still leave behind an unpleasant spot in your yard.  It will take time for grass to grow around that spot.

Also, it requires plenty of manpower or heavy equipment to excavate pipes.  This translates into increased costs for the homeowner.  Pipe bursting can be done much more quickly which helps to save time.

Also, the problematic pipe may be located in a bad location like beneath your house or beneath your driveway.  If that is the case, then the concrete will need to be excavated to get to the pipe.  More concrete will need to be poured after the job is over too.  All of this would drive the costs of the job up higher.

Pipe bursting requires a certain amount of digging too.  A spot needs to be dug for the bursting device and the new pipe to be inserted into.  Another spot will need to be excavated on the other end for the devices to be removed from.  However, having two small pits in your yard is much better than having a long trench dug up.

Using the old method, pipes are usually repaired instead of replaced entirely because it is much more time consuming and costly.  However, pipe bursting makes it easy to replace these pipes.  Therefore, you won't have to deal with an old pipe that may present problems in the future and cause another expense.

Any new pipe that is laid with the pipe bursting method will be one long pipe too.  This means that it won't have any seems like your old pipe likely had.  Without seams, the pipe will have a less likely chance of leaking.  Tree roots will also have a more difficult time penetrating the pipe.

Your new pipe will also be much more efficient.  Over time your old pipe likely had a lot of buildup develop inside.  Your plumbing system will flow much more smoothly with a new pipe installed.

If you have a problem with one of the pipes in your home, then you should consider pipe bursting.  You will not have to worry about your yard being ruined to replace the damaged pipe.  Only two small pits will need to be dug in order for it to be replaced.  This is particularly useful if the pipe is located under concrete or your house.