Pipe Bursting Services in Los Feliz

What Is Pipe Bursting?

If your existing water or sewer lines are outdated, undersized, or have been otherwise compromised in some way, it may be time to for pipe replacement. In the past, this would mean digging a trench across your lawn to expose the old pipe and replace it with a new one. Now, we have a simple solution: pipe bursting.

No matter type of pipe need to be replaced, we can create a customized pipe bursting solution for your plumbing emergency. The pipe bursting process causes far less disturbance than open trench excavation. Access points are dug at either end of the pipe, with one near the house and the other near the street. A constant-tension winch then guides the pipe bursting tool through the host pipe on a chain. The old pipe is burst underground and a new continuous pipe is pulled through behind the bursting head.

This means we only have to disturb your lawn in the small area around the access points, located at each end of the pipe. This process obviates the need for the home or business owner’s nightmare of having ugly, expensive, and damaging trenches dug in their yard. Let’s face it, it’s hard enough to get grass to grow well in Los Feliz and Glendale without digging it up to replace old water, sewer, and drain lines. 

Pipe bursting keeps your lawn safe and healthy and is quicker than traditional trench digging.

If desired, the new pipe can be a slightly higher diameter than the old pipe. The rear expander displaces host pipe fragments into the surrounding soil, while the tool pulls in the new polyethylene pipe. This means pipe bursting is a viable way of expanding drain and water access lines, all without digging those hated trenches.

Pipe Bursting: A Trenchless Technology

Pipe bursting involves the replacement of an old pipeline without the need to dig up your yard. 

There are several types of bursting methods, including:

The main difference between methods is the way the force is generated and transferred to the pipe during the bursting operation. Most methods break the existing pipe as the new pipe is pulled in behind. The two methods you are most likely to see us employ to solve your plumbing issues are hydraulic and static.

Hydraulic Pipe Bursting

Hydraulic bursting makes replacing ductile iron and steel possible but can be used for a variety of pipes. This method fragments the pipe from the inside by using a bursting head that relies on hydraulic cylinders to expand. As the head expands, it cracks the pipe and contracts to allow the winch to pull the pipe forward. This is mainly used for inline replacement of sewers and gravity pipelines ranging from 6″-20″.

Static Pipe Bursting

Static bursting is used for gas and water pipelines made from ductile iron and steel. It uses a horizontal winch that acts as a high-powered hydraulic jack or a high-tension drum winch. Static bursting can be used for pipes ranging in diameter from 4″- 48″. Bladed rollers are used to prevent tearing of the host pipe.