By the All Systems Pros service team · Updated July 20, 2026
Pipe lining (CIPP): a new pipe inside the old one
Cured-in-place pipe lining inserts an epoxy-saturated liner into the damaged line, inflates it, and cures it into a new seamless pipe within the old one. It typically needs just one access point, preserves landscaping, and finishes fast. It fits pipes with cracks, minor breaks, or root intrusion where the host pipe still has structural integrity.
Pipe bursting: full replacement, minimal digging
Pipe bursting pulls a new pipe through the old one, fracturing the old pipe outward as it goes. It needs two access pits instead of a trench, replaces the line entirely, and can even upsize the diameter for better flow. It's the trenchless answer when the old pipe is too far gone to line — severely damaged or partially collapsed.
When traditional excavation still wins
A fully collapsed section, a badly back-graded line, or a shallow, easily accessed run can make open excavation the faster and cheaper honest answer. Spot repairs — excavating one precise, camera-located point — often beat lining a whole line that only has one bad joint.
The honest path to a decision
Camera inspection and line mapping come first; the method follows the evidence. Typical sewer repairs run $850–$3,500 depending on depth, access, and method, quoted transparently before work begins — and if a competitor's replacement quote feels heavy, our free second-opinion policy exists for exactly this situation.
About the author
Written and reviewed by the All Systems Pros service team — licensed plumbers holding Rheem ProPartner, A. O. Smith, and Raypak factory certifications, with 30+ years of combined service experience, based in Monrovia, CA.
