There are a number of factors surrounding the total costs of trenchless sewer line repair that most professionals will not disclose over the phone. However, this isn’t to say that you shouldn’t understand what those factors are. This blog post highlights the various elements that can affect the total price of your trenchless sewer pipe repair.
However, it is important to keep in mind that the prices will always vary from one region to another. It will also depend on the type of plumbing contractor you hire, the level of equipment and techniques incorporated, the design of the sewer, and the total layout of your house.
While these are important attributes to consider when it comes to trenchless sewer repair, there some other equally important yet not so known factors that can influence the price as well.
4 things that can affect the total price of your trenchless sewer repair
1. The repair technique and strategy employed
When it comes to trenchless sewer repair cost, you are going to have to understand different types of repair methodologies that plumbing contractors use. The more comprehensive and machine-savvy the technique is, the more it will cost. For example, CIPP short for Cured in Place Pipe Lining involves expensive materials.
Another element to keep in mind is the length of your sewer line – if it is a hundred feet or more, the costs will keep on increasing. On the other hand, you could also opt for a method such as pipe-bursting to repair your trenchless sewer.
But this strategy needs more than one access hole. Moreover, if your trenchless sewer connects with many other drains, this strategy will also end up becoming expensive. This is because every drain connection will need to be exposed.
2. How deep and big your current pipe is
The total diameter of your sewer pipe will also help identify the amount of materials required and hence the cost of those materials. By this logic, it will automatically be less expensive to buy materials for smaller pipes with less girth compared to bigger and thicker pipes.
However, there are other cost factors that you are going to have to consider here as well. For example, to repair a trenchless sewer line, the plumber needs an access point to work. So, if you don’t have one, he is going to make one.
An access point is created by installing a clean-out via a vent pipe. Or alternatively, you could have them dig at another sewer point in your home. So, if your drain requires an access hole, the plumber is going to consider the total depth of the pipes.
3. Accessing your current trenchless pipeline
Trenchless sewer repair can be challenging for a plumber, especially if the location of the pipeline is tricky. For example, in some houses, the trenchless drain lines run under patios and decks. And this can make it overly difficult for the contractor to access and assess the problem.
On the other hand, some houses have vast landscapes that consist of thick bush trees, flowers, decorative rocks and boulders, mini water fountains, etc. all of which can make things harder for the contractor.
So, with all this being said, the contractor will have to create a safe and effective access hole, and you are going to have to pay more to suppress dust generation. In another scenario, houses that have subsurface power or utility lines laid beneath can make it dangerous for the contractor to access.
Another factor that is going to increase the price of a trenchless repair operation is accessing sewer lines on public property, such as a street. There are many regulations surrounding digging up the public property and involves getting express permission.
4. The condition of your trenchless pipe right now
While there many trenchless drain repair methodologies, the effectiveness of any strategy will also depend on how maintained your current pipes are. Moreover, the state of your pipes may very well dictate the type of repair strategy to be used.
For instance, if you have a large cast iron trenchless sewer line with years of scale build-up, the contractor is going to first remove the scale build-up before progressing forward. This will increase the cost.
One good way of being certain about the condition of your pipes and to plan cost-effective repair work is to ask your contractor to use a sewer inspection camera.
A lot of plumbing contractors will offer a per-foot price of trenchless drain repair. Don’t accept the per-foot price because it can be misleading. It is going to be easier for them to exclude important variables from the estimation and bill you separately for them. As mentioned, there are several factors that go into the cost of a trenchless sewer line and not just the length of the pipe.
Bottom line
So there you have it – a short yet comprehensive look into factors that influence trenchless sewer line repair prices. Get your way and use these points to negotiate cost-effective repair work.
