Pipe Bursting vs Pipe Lining: Why Pipe Bursting is Superior

The popularity of trenchless pipe repair and replacement has exploded — who doesn’t love a shorter project timeline, lower cost and no intrusive digging? Our customers ask us a lot of questions about trenchless plumbing repair methods — specifically, the difference between pipe bursting vs pipe lining.

We asked our expert Dallas-Fort Worth plumbing team to explain the pros and cons of pipe bursting and pipe lining. How long does each trenchless project take to complete? What are the overall costs? And which is best for homeowners with shifting soil concerns?

Pipe bursting is the best trenchless pipe replacement option for most homeowners. It’s the best choice for Dallas-Fort Worth plumbing customers due to its short project timeline, labor cost savings and minimal invasion to the expansive clay soil in our region.

• Pipe bursting and pipe lining are different trenchless repair options. Bursting involves breaking apart your old pipe and replacing it. Lining slips a new pipe inside your damaged pipe and attaches it to the existing line.
• Pipe lining projects take slightly longer to complete on average. The average pipe bursting job is done in one appointment on one day. Cured-in-place piping (CIPP) requires at least one extra day for your new pipe to cure properly.
• Pipe lining is slightly cheaper upfront, but provides less long-term value. Trenchless pipe relining cures a new pipe inside your existing pipe. Pipe bursting replaces your broken pipe with a fully new sewer pipe or water line, providing better long-term value with a true replacement pipe.
• Pipe bursting is best for expansive clay soil conditions. We’re so sure it’s the best trenchless pipe repair method for DFW homes, we offer the best warranty in the area.

Schedule one-day trenchless pipe bursting anywhere in DFW!

{{trenchless-pipe-repair-dfw="/services/trenchless-pipe-repair-dfw"}}

‍

Pipe Bursting vs Pipe Lining: What’s the Difference?

Pipe bursting and pipe lining are both innovative forms of trenchless pipe replacement technology. These no dig plumbing options allow homeowners to make drastic repairs to their water line and sewer line without costly excavation and invasive open trenching.

Both bursting and lining are excellent alternatives to save time, money and labor vs. open trench pipe repairs. But they differ greatly in terms of approach and the types of trenchless technology used.

What is trenchless pipe bursting?

Pipe bursting is an effective form of no dig sewer repair and water line replacement. It utilizes a bursting head to break apart your old pipe while laying a new one in the same location.

In the pipe bursting method, a new pipe is pulled through your existing pipe using a cone-shaped head pulled by hydraulics. This hydraulic cone bursts your old pipe as it simultaneously lays the new pipe in its place. The new pipe is then welded above ground. Two small holes are dug to serve as entry and exit access points.

Pipe bursting is able to handle large and small underground pipe repairs. from replacing leaky pipe sections to full sewer line repair and replacement.

What is trenchless pipe lining?

Trenchless pipe lining is a minimally invasive method used for minor to moderate water line and sewer pipe repair projects. A resin-filled tube is inserted in your damaged pipe, then inflated and cured in place to create a slightly smaller, fully intact new pipe within the existing one.

There are 2 primary types of pipe lining: slip lining and cured-in-place piping (CIPP).

Slip lining occurs when a small carrier pipe is inserted in your existing water line. This pipe is slipped through and grouted into place within the old pipe. While it's extremely fast and minimally invasive, you are left with reduced water flow capacity. Slip lining is not recommended for water lines with extensive damage.

Cured-in-place-piping (CIPP) is when a flexible liner is inserted in your existing pipe. This pipe lining is inflated, exposed to heat and cured into place within your old pipe. Any excess liner is trimmed and removed. CIPP isn't great in very small or large diameter pipes, and homeowners should allow a full extra day for curing.

Pipe Bursting vs Pipe Lining: Project Timelines

Most pipe bursting projects are completed in one appointment on one day.

Pipe lining can take 1-3 days to complete, depending on the complexity of your trenchless pipe replacement and the method of pipe lining you choose. Cured-in-place piping (CIPP) takes an extra day to allow your new pipes to cure.

Pipe lining isn’t recommended for extensive damage or large pipes

Pipe lining isn’t suggested if you have major water line or sewer line damage.

Slip lining isn’t advisable if you’re dealing with extremely large pipes. These replacement liners often don't expand and cure properly in place at larger diameters.

Pipe Bursting vs Pipe Lining: Cost Analysis

Most online resources state that pipe lining is slightly less expensive than pipe bursting. This is technically correct, if you don’t look into the reasons why.

Pipe lining doesn’t provide you with a brand new pipe — it simply lines the inside of your existing water or sewer line with a slightly smaller lining. That means your damaged pipe still remains underground.

Pipe bursting breaks apart your old pipe and replaces it entirely with a new one. All existing cracked, leaky and damaged material is removed from your plumbing system. 

While bursting is slightly more expensive upfront, the price is mitigated by having a brand new water supply line or sewer line that will last 50+ years.

Pipe Bursting Is Better for Expansive Clay Soil

Soil with high clay content poses unique issues to underground pipe repair. Clay soil has poor drainage qualities — your yard floods easily when it rains and creates cracked, dry pockets during hot and dry conditions. This makes traditional trenching repairs difficult, because the soil around your sewer line expands and contracts regularly.

If you live in a region with expansive clay soil, trenchless pipe replacement is a superior option. You'll avoid ground shifting and soil erosion, leaving your yard undisturbed during plumbing repairs.

The pipe bursting process is extremely effective in areas with high clay content. Minimal digging, a short project time window and removal of your leaky original pipe all reduce the risk of soil shifting during your pipe repair. 

Trenchless pipe lining is also a vast improvement over excavation in clay soil conditions, but it does leave the damaged pipe in place. Also, CIPP lining adds an extra day to your repair process.

{{trenchless-pipe-repair-dfw="/services/trenchless-pipe-repair-dfw"}}

‍

Trenchless Pipe Replacement Methods: The Scorecard

Here’s how the final scorecard looks in the battle between pipe bursting vs pipe lining:

Pipe bursting beats pipe lining in our trenchless pipe repair scorecard.

Overall pros and cons of pipe bursting

• ✅ Minimally invasive (2 small holes)
• ✅ One day project timeline
• ✅ Fully new pipe
• ✅ Elimination and removal of old pipe
• ✅ Adaptable to smaller and larger pipe repairs
• ✅ Effective in shifting soil conditions
• ⛔ Slightly higher upfront cost vs pipe lining

Overall pros and cons of pipe lining

• ✅ Minimally invasive
• ✅ Highly effective for smaller pipe repair projects
• ✅ Effective in shifting soil conditions
• ✅ Slightly lower upfront cost vs pipe bursting
• ⛔ Pipe liner = damaged pipe remains in place
• ⛔ Shorter lifespan of new material vs pipe bursting
• ⛔ Not adaptable to larger pipe repairs

Our Expert Plumbers Prefer Trenchless Pipe Bursting

Mother Modern Plumbing: expert trenchless pipe bursting service in Dallas Fort Worth.

Our Dallas-Fort Worth plumbing experts use the pipe bursting method in virtually all of our trenchless pipe repair projects. It's highly adaptable to fit any underground project scope, from full sewer line replacement to sectional water line replacement.

We also value the ability to fix your underground pipe as quickly and efficiently as possible. The pipe bursting process is done in one appointment, on one day — we get in and get out, and restore clean tap water to your home with little disruption.

While it's true the cost of pipe relining is slightly less upfront, most homeowners want a long-lasting solution. By bursting your pipe and laying a high-quality new pipe made from PVC or PEX, you'll have a product that lasts 50+ years.

Backing our work with the best pipe repair warranty offers in DFW

We’re so confident in our trenchless pipe bursting repair work, we back it with the best comprehensive warranty offer in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Here are our current warranty offers for underground pipe repairs in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex:

• 20-year warranty on full sewer pipe replacement
• 6-year ‘bumper to bumper’ warranty on trenchless water line replacement
• 6-year ‘bumper to bumper’ warranty on water line break repair

Talk to an expert DFW plumber about trenchless pipe replacement!

{{trenchless-pipe-repair-dfw="/services/trenchless-pipe-repair-dfw"}}

‍