What is Pipe Bursting?
Pipe Bursting (a.k.a. Trenchless Pipe Replacement) is a method of pipe replacement during which existing buried pipe is destroyed from the inside while simultaneously being replaced by a new pipe that is pulled into the path of the old one.

How does Pipe Bursting Work?
A hole is dug at eachend of the section of sewer pipe needing replacement, and then a high-strength steel cable is run through it.  This steel cable is connected to a high-pressure hydraulic pump at one end and a cutting head attached to a High Density Polyethylene (a.k.a. Poly) Pipe at the other.  The hydraulic pump, which can pull with a force of several thousand psi, yanks the cutting head through the existing pipe to literally burst it, while simultaneously pulling the attached replacement poly pipe directly behind it.  The new replacement pipe is therefore placed in the exact place as the old pipe.

When would I need Pipe Bursting?
Sometimes, a pipe cannot be lined and needs to be replaced.  For example, a stretch of pipe may have slight bends in it to change the direction of flow of waste water.  In that case, it would be impossible to line the pipe and Angel Plumbers would recommend physically replacing it instead.

What are the benefits of Pipe Bursting?
Pipe Bursting means that you won't have an open trench cutting through your entire yard.  It is a very quick and efficient process, and a 100 foot stretch of pipe can easily be pulled and replaced in less than an hour (not including digging).  Because Poly Pipe is very strong yet very flexible, a small trench is all that is required through which the new pipe can be flexed and fed before being straightened out along the path of the old pipe.  Also, multiple 20' sections of Poly Pipe can be fused together (with no resulting loss of structural rigidity) to replace sewer pipes of any length, and the fusion is watertight and airtight.  Another advantage of pipe bursting is that, unlike pipe lining, one or multiple connections can also be made to Poly Pipe after it has been pulled into place, because Poly Pipe can be cut and glued.

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