To many people, a damaged sewer line means more than just the expense of repairs or replacement. Accessing the sewer line involves digging up the land above it, destroying the landscaping; then there are the expenses of the excavation and the subsequent repairs. And if the line runs beneath a driveway or even a garage, there's the added problem of tearing it up to get at the line. It's little wonder that the entire project is usually a dreaded one.

What you may not realize is that modern technology means you may not need to dig up your yard to repair your sewer line. By using a trenchless repair technique called pipe lining, many sewer lines can be fixed through a single access hole – no backhoe needed.

Pipe lining is an innovative method of pipe replacement. Once an access hole is dug and the original line is cleaned out, a tube is inserted through the original sewer pipe. This tube is saturated with a mix of epoxy and resin, and an interior bladder interior is inflated, pushing this mixture up against the old pipe. The tube and its epoxy-resin mixture cure, creating a new, seamless pipe within your old pipe; once the liner has cured, your damaged pipe has been essentially replaced with an entirely new one.

There are a few things to keep in mind if you're considering pipe lining. One common question is how the smaller size of the new pipe will affect the sewer system – it will end up around 6mm smaller in diameter than the old pipe. However, there are no seams in the new pipe and the walls don't allow calcification to adhere like older materials; because of this, over time, your new pipe may even carry waste from your home more efficiently than your old one.

The idea of a pipe made in place may also sound less durable, but this shouldn't be the case. If you're looking at pipe lining, check the warranty on the new pipe and make sure it's a length you're comfortable with; different contractors may offer different warranty lengths.

And although pipe lining is a good choice for many situations, you should also know its limitations. If the original pipe has collapsed, it may be impossible to thread the liner through; sharp joints can also be a problem. Before deciding on what kind of repairs to do, have a contractor run a camera through the damaged pipe to see what state it's in and what repair methods are feasible, and never be afraid to ask questions so that you understand what needs to be done and why. For more information, contact a company like Lavenders Contracting Ltd.