Trenchless pipe replacement saves time and money over traditional means of pipe replacement. When most people think of trenchless pipe repair, they typically think only of CIPP. However, cured in place pipes aren’t your only option for trenchless pipe repair. On the rise as a viable option for pipe rehabilitation, pipe bursting is a method of trenchless pipe repair that has several advantages over CIPP in certain situations.
What is pipe bursting
First off, it is a method of trenchless pipe replacement. Unlike CIPP, which relies on curing a new pipe inside the old one, pipe bursting destroys your old pipe entirely. You’re never going to need the old pipe anyway, so there’s no reason for it to stick around.
Pipe bursting works through the power of a winch. A cable runs through the length of the pipe you intend to replace. A pipe bursting head is dragged through the pipe. This hard, metal head breaks the old pipe apart as it passed through. Behind the head, a semi-flexible fresh pipe is dragged along. This lays the new pipe in the rubble of the old. Once the entire old pipe has been burst, the ends of the new pipe can be attached. If needed, laterals can be added.
What are the advantages
Pipe bursting has significant advantages over CIPP in some situations. First of all, this technique can be done on any type of pipe. CIPP can be used with a wide variety of pipes, but there are still some pipes that cannot be relined. Therefore it is more versatile.
On top of this, this technique should be used when you need to increase the size of your pipe. Relined pipes can only be smaller than the old pipes. The new pipe is literally cured inside the old, so it can’t exceed it in size. The new pipe laid by pipe bursting can be larger if required.
Lastly, the fresh pipe laid with this technique is stronger than many pipe liners. You’ll have your new pipe for longer. This method is a highly valuable option for trenchless pipe repair.