Compare Sewer Solutions: Partial Replacement vs Pipe Lining

A section of your sewer line is significantly damaged. Maybe there’s a sewer belly, or multiple tree roots penetrated your old cast iron pipe. You’re comparing plumbing quotes, and need to make a decision between a partial sewer line replacement or pipe lining solutions.

We’ll show why your decision comes down to 2 factors: your current repair budget, and the scope of damage to your sewer system.

We train our plumbers to identify the exact cause of your sewer issue, compare your repair options, and establish the single best solution to the problem. This is the advice we give our customers — and we wrote it up in a homeowner’s guide for you.

We’re Mother — a Dallas based plumbing company founded on modern service options and long-term solutions. Our research team and Master Plumbers built this comparison guide for homeowners to compare their sewer repair options and choose the best quote for their project. 

Live in Dallas and need a second opinion? Call us 7 days a week for expert, timely service.

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The 5 Sewer Line Problems Influencing Your Repair Project

If you’re choosing between partial sewer pipe replacement or pipe rerouting, then you’re dealing with these 5 common sewer repair issues:

1. Multiple underground sewer pipe leaks 
2. Multiple tree root intrusions
3. Break in your sewer branch line
4. Separation in your sewer line
5. Sewer belly

Your choice usually boils down to 2 decisions: the extent and severity of the damage to your existing sewer line, and the budget you can allocate to fixing it.

These sewer line repair options are best suited for damaged pipe sections between 10 and 50 feet in length.

These 2 sewer repair solutions are insufficient for complete sewer line collapses and extensive damage to over 50 feet of your sewer pipe. If your entire sewer line is damaged, compromised or extremely old, a complete replacement may be required.

Need a different solution? Compare your choices in our comprehensive guide to Dallas sewer repair options.

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When to Choose a Partial Sewer Line Replacement vs. Pipe Lining

First a quick overview of each kind of repair:

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Partial sewer line replacement involves digging up and replacing a longer, compromised section of your sewer pipe. Damaged pipe sections typically extend from 10 to 50 feet. 

Pipe lining, specifically Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP) lining, is a trenchless repair method. For small sections, it involves creating a new, seamless pipe within the existing damaged one without the need for extensive digging.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table: Partial Replacement vs. Pipe Lining

*Note: Costs are estimates and can vary widely based on pipe depth, location (e.g., under concrete), soil conditions, and specific DFW market factors.

Partial Sewer Line Replacements: More Involved Issues

Partial replacement is used when a "patch" isn't enough, but the entire line doesn't need to be replaced.

What’s involved in the repair process: After diagnosing the extent of the damage with a camera, we excavate a trench along the length of the damaged section of pipe.

If you have a slab foundation, this trench is placed under your house. If you have a pier and beam foundation, far less trenching is required. 

The old, faulty pipe is completely removed, and a brand new, durable Schedule 40 PVC pipe section is laid in its place. We carefully ensuring proper slope for drainage. Connections are made to the existing healthy pipe on both ends, and the trench is then backfilled.

• Pros:
  • Replaces a significant section of bad pipe, offering a more robust solution than a spot repair for longer areas.
  • Corrects issues like bellies (sags) or multiple extensive tree root intrusions.
  • Less expensive and disruptive than a complete sewer line replacement.
• Cons:
  • Costs become excessive in inaccessible areas (under foundation).
  • Invasive digging may cut through established landscaping or driveway areas.
  • Still leaves older pipe sections in place, which could develop issues later.

Pipe Lining (CIPP Lining): A Short-Term Band-Aid Solution

What’s involved in the repair process: First, the existing pipe must be thoroughly cleaned (often with hydro jetting) to remove any debris, scale, or roots. 

Then, a flexible liner, saturated with a special epoxy resin, is inserted into the damaged pipe through a small access point (like an existing cleanout). An inflatable bladder pushes the liner against the inner walls of the old pipe. 

Once positioned, the resin is cured (hardened) to form a new, rigid pipe inside the old one. The bladder is then removed, leaving a smooth, jointless pipe.

• Pros:
  • No extensive trenching is required, preserving your yard, driveway, and landscaping.
  • Faster completion time; the new pipe can often be ready for use within hours or a day.
  • The new liner creates a seamless pipe, preventing future root intrusion through joints.
• Cons:
  • Higher upfront cost per linear foot than a simple spot repair.
  • Not suitable for completely collapsed or misaligned pipes, as the existing pipe structure is needed to host the liner.
  • Reduces the internal diameter of the pipe slightly.
  • Requires the pipe to be thoroughly cleaned before lining, which can add to the initial process.

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When to Choose Partial Sewer Line Replacement

Partial sewer line replacement is the better choice when the damage is more extensive than a single point, but still doesn't warrant replacing the entire pipe.

Real-life customer scenarios where partial sewer line replacement is the better choice:

• A long section of pipe with multiple hairline cracks or root intrusions: The camera showed 15-20 feet of pipe that was consistently compromised, making a single spot repair impractical.
• A significant belly (sag) in a sewer pipe section: A sewer belly caused standing water and repeated clogs in a Dallas home and its backyard. This required excavating and re-laying that entire section to ensure proper slope.
• The pipe under a homeowner’s driveway was completely crushed or deteriorated: Replacing the entire segment made sense for this a high-traffic or critical area. There’s no cost benefit to making multiple penetrations or a large tunnel for multiple spot repairs.

When not to choose partial sewer line replacement: Don't choose partial replacement if your entire sewer line is old, constantly failing, or made of problematic materials like Orangeburg pipe. 

If you’re planning to replace your entire sewer line in the next 5-10 years, it’s likely best to save money and opt for CIPP lining now.

When to Choose Sewer Pipe Lining

Pipe lining shines when minimizing disruption is paramount and the existing pipe has enough structural integrity to serve as a host for the new liner. However, its limitations in overall lifespan make it less advisable for larger pipe repair projects.

Real-life customer scenarios where pipe lining is the better choice:

• Localized sewer line damage appeared under an existing driveway. We accessed the damaged pipe section through an outdoor cleanout and inserted the liner.
• We found multiple tree root intrusions in a hard-to-reach pipe section. Instead of tearing up landscaping, we found an access point further down the sewer line to insert the pipe liner.
• The homeowner’s budget didn’t allow for partial replacement. We used CIPP lining to protect the damaged pipe for 3-5 years while the homeowners saved up for their inevitable partial sewer line replacement.

When not to choose Pipe Lining: Do not choose pipe lining if the damaged pipe section is completely collapsed, severely misaligned (e.g., sections are offset by a large margin), or if there are missing sections of pipe. The existing pipe must be mostly intact to serve as a host for the liner.

Don’t expect pipe lining to provide a long-term solution. It’s a quicker fix that delays the inevitable — you’re still left with a damaged sewer line and a slightly smaller interior diameter.

Mother Modern Plumbing’s Recommendation

For small sewer line sections under 10 feet, the choice between spot repair and pipe lining depends heavily on two key factors: 

1. The exact nature and severity of the damage, and 
2. The realistic budget you can allocate to your sewer repair project.

Our plumbers strongly encourage partial sewer line replacement over pipe lining in most cases. If you’re dealing with a damaged pipe section over 10 feet, lining offers limited long-term success.

Choose partial sewer line replacement when there are multiple leaks, cracks or systemic issues in a pipe section. We recommend partial replacement for damaged pipe sections between 10 and 50 feet — such as deep single penetrations, missing sections, or joint misalignment. These issues cannot be addressed by lining. 

It's also the superior long-term choice for shallow, easily accessible breaks under open ground. You gain the benefit of a new Schedule 40 PVC pipe segment that can last 100 years.

We recommend pipe lining in highly specific cases when the damage is amenable to a trenchless solution (e.g., cracks, offset joints, minor root intrusion) and the pipe is located under landscaping, a driveway, or any area where excavation would cause significant disruption and cost.

CIPP lining is a good option when partial replacement is too cost prohibitive for your current budget. But make sure you start saving — a pipe liner isn’t a “forever fix”, and you should plan to have your pipe replaced in the next 5-10 years.

What’s all this going to cost? Price out your project in our in-depth guide to the cost of sewer line replacement services in the Dallas area.

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Call Mother for Dallas Sewer Line Repair and Replacement

Still not sure which repair is right for your Dallas home? Worried your current plumbing quotes are too high, too invasive or incomplete?

Call Mother for a thorough inspection of your Dallas sewer line. We’ll identify the problem with our non-invasive sewer camera inspection and hydrostatic testing services. Then, we’ll walk you through the pros and cons of each service option in simple terms, with no pressure.

Whether you need simple spot repairs, a partial sewer line replacement, or the “quick fix” of CIPP lining service, trust our plumbing experts for an honest second opinion and a long-term solution for your home.

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