Start with a camera inspection
The decision rests on what the line looks like inside. A recorded inspection shows the material, the location and depth of any damage, and whether it is one problem or many.
Usually a repair
- One cracked or offset joint
- A short collapsed section
- Roots entering at one location
Usually a replacement
- Clay or cast-iron pipe with cracking or scaling along much of its length
- Orangeburg or other deteriorated material
- Repeated backups despite cleaning
- Several damaged sections, or a long belly that holds water
Trenchless options
Pipe lining and pipe bursting renew a line through small access points instead of a trench the length of the yard. Whether they fit depends on the line’s condition, shape and access.