Pipe bursting is a highly effective trenchless method of repair that is streamlined and, therefore, takes significantly less time than traditional methods do. In addition, it costs less and is less disruptive to your property. While your pipe bursting project will be unique to the specifics that apply, most require only about one to three days. Learn more about the convenience and effectiveness of pipe bursting by consulting with an experienced Westmoreland County, PA, pipe bursting professional at American Sewer Specialist.
Pipe Bursting Basics
The basics of pipe bursting include the following:
- It is a minimally invasive process because it generally requires only a small access pit and a small exit pit, as opposed to a continuous trench that runs the length of the pipe.
- The process involves replacing the old pipe, which is burst apart, with a new pipe that is connected right behind the bursting head and is pulled into place along the way.
- Often, the replacement pipe is made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which has immense flexibility and durability and comes in continuous lengths that don’t require joints.
It’s difficult to overstate the advantages of pipe bursting. These include that a larger diameter pipe can be pulled into position, which increases capacity and reduces the risk of blockages. Further, because the pipes lack joints, they are resistant to root intrusion. Finally, HDPE pipes have a very long lifespan.
The Pipe Bursting Process
The pipe bursting process breaks down into several basic steps that can generally be completed in one to three days, depending on the scope and complexity of the project.
Locating the Problem
To begin, the pipe that is causing the problem must be located, and the problem itself must be identified. This requires professional camera services and sewer line location. From here, the access and exit pits are dug at either end of the pipe.
Inserting the Cable and Replacing the Pipe
Once the pipe is located for bursting, a winch cable is fed through it. This winch pulls a heavy-duty HDPE pipe behind a high-powered bursting head that smashes the existing pipe in the process. The new pipe is pulled into position as the old pipe is shattered. While inserting a new pipe, the fragments of the old pipe are distributed in the surrounding soil.
This process limits pipe bursting to specific scenarios. These include that the pipe being replaced is made of a material that can be fractured, which usually means brittle pipes made of clay, Orangeburg, or cast iron. Further, the relevant soil conditions must allow the fractured pieces of the old pipe to be absorbed.
Reach Out to Our Experienced Westmoreland County Pipe Bursting Specialists
At American Sewer Specialist, we proudly serve Westmoreland County, PA, and our pipe bursting professionals have the experience, expertise, and equipment to skillfully resolve your plumbing concerns without destroying your yard or inconveniencing your family unnecessarily. Learn more by contacting us online or giving us a call at 724-879-8130 today.
