Pipe Relining
(also called trenchless pipe lining or CIPP)
What it does:
Repairs the existing pipe from the inside by creating a new pipe within it.
How it works:
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A resin-soaked liner is inserted into the old pipe
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The liner is expanded and cured with UV light
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The old pipe stays in place and becomes the outer shell
Best for:
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Cracked or leaking pipes
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Root intrusion
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Corrosion or joint failures
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Pipes that are mostly intact (not collapsed)
- Slight offsets
Pros:
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No digging
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Fast (often in just a couple of hours)
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Less disruption
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Long lifespan (50+ years)
Cons:
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Can’t fix a fully collapsed pipe
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Slight reduction in pipe diameter
Pipe Bursting
What it does:
Replaces the pipe entirely by breaking the old one apart and pulling in a new pipe.
How it works:
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Small access pits are dug at each end
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A bursting head fractures the old pipe outward
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A new HDPE pipe is pulled in behind it
Best for:
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Severely damaged or collapsed pipes
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Pipes that need upsizing
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Pipes beyond repair
Pros:
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Brand-new pipe
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Can increase pipe size
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Works even if the old pipe is destroyed
Cons:
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Some street digging required
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More disruptive than relining
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Higher cost in many cases
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Pipe Relining | Pipe Bursting |
|---|---|---|
| Digging | None | Small access pits |
| Old pipe | Stays in place | Broken apart |
| Pipe condition | Must be mostly intact | Can be collapsed |
| Pipe size | Same or slightly smaller | Same or larger |
| Disruption | Minimal | Moderate |
| Typical cost | Lower | Higher |