Everything You Need to Know About Sewer Pipe Bursting

by | Jul 14, 2025 | Blog, Emergency Plumbing, Plumbing Tips

When your sewer line fails, you’re facing a plumbing nightmare that could destroy your beautiful landscaping and disrupt your entire property. Traditional sewer repair methods often require extensive digging that can turn your yard into a construction zone for weeks.

If you’re wondering what the pipe-bursting method is and how it can save your property from unnecessary damage, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, I Love Sewers Rooter And Plumbing Sewer Specialties Inc. will explain what the pipe bursting method is and why it’s revolutionizing how we approach sewer repairs.

What is Pipe Bursting and How Does It Work?

What is the pipe bursting method? It is a trenchless sewer replacement technique that simultaneously breaks apart your existing pipe while installing a new HDPE pipe in its place. A licensed plumber in Hacienda Heights, CA, uses specialized equipment to pull a bursting head through your damaged line, fracturing the old material outward. 

1. Initial Inspection and Preparation

Before beginning any pipe-bursting project, technicians perform a thorough camera inspection of your sewer line. This step identifies the exact location, depth, and condition of your existing pipe system. Small entry and exit points are then carefully dug near your foundation and property line to access the underground pipe replacement work area.

2. The Bursting Head Technology

The bursting head serves as the key component that makes this entire process possible. This cone-shaped tool is designed to fit through your existing pipe while being strong enough to fracture old materials, such as clay or cast iron. 

3. Installation of New HDPE Pipe

High-density polyethylene pipes are heat-welded above ground before installation to ensure strong, leak-proof connections. The new pipe follows directly behind the bursting head, immediately filling the space created by the fractured existing pipe.

What Makes Pipe Bursting Technology Unique?

Pipe bursting stands out from other repair methods because it offers minimal excavation while delivering superior long-term results. Unlike traditional dig-and-replace techniques that destroy landscaping and hardscaping, this method protects your property’s surface features. The process can upgrade your pipe diameter during replacement, improving flow capacity for decades to come.

The technology works effectively on pipes ranging from four to twenty-four inches in diameter, covering most residential applications. Projects utilizing pipe bursting methods can reach completion up to four times faster than conventional excavation approaches. The resulting installation creates a single, continuous pipe without joints, significantly reducing future maintenance needs and the risk of issues such as copper pipe corrosion.

When Should You Consider Pipe Bursting for Your Property?

Several situations make pipe bursting the ideal choice for underground pipe replacement over traditional excavation methods. Properties with established landscaping, mature trees, or decorative hardscaping benefit most from this approach. 

Extensive landscaping Features Mature gardens, decorative hardscaping, and established trees that remain undisturbed

Environmentally sensitive areas: Minimal surface disruption protects surrounding ecosystems and wildlife habitats

Urban neighborhoods: Avoid disrupting sidewalks, driveways, and other paved surfaces that would be costly to replace

Properties with multiple underground utilities: Work around existing gas, electric, and water lines without interference

Pipes requiring diameter upgrades: Increase flow capacity while replacing damaged or undersized existing pipes

I Love Sewers Rooter And Plumbing Sewer Specialties Inc: Your Pipe Bursting Experts

Understanding the pipe bursting method helps you make informed decisions about your sewer repair needs. We specialize in trenchless technologies that protect your property while delivering superior results for underground pipe replacement projects. Our experienced team can assess whether pipe bursting is the right solution for your specific situation and provide tailored sewer line repair solutions.

For expert pipe bursting services and to learn more about the correct pipe bursting method for your Hacienda Heights, CA property, call I Love Sewers Rooter And Plumbing Sewer Specialties Inc. at (626) 764-2570 today.