

Sewer Repair Methods in Portland, OR
As a sewer repair business, we utilize a variety of sewer repair methods to fix sewers and drains. Pipe lining (also known as Cured-in-place pipe or CIPP), pipe bursting, directional drilling, and excavation are some of the techniques we employ. Sewer repair businesses may be familiar with these sewer pipe repair methods, but most homeowners are not. Let’s take a closer look at each one of them.
Pipe Bursting

When sewage backs up into your home, you need a fast solution that will restore flows through your sewer as quickly as possible. This process uses a bursting tool inserted into one end of the host sewer pipe using an insertion pit. A winch is attached to the head of the tool and placed at the opposite end of the pipe. The winch line guides the bursting tool through the old pipeline. The tool is pulled back through the sewer pipe applying a strong rotating force, which breaks up and shatters the old sewer line as it passes through. The machine then pushes those pieces out of the way as it replaces the sewer pipe with a new one. The process is done from outside of your home and can be completed in under an hour.
Benefits of Pipe Bursting
With pipe bursting, only two access points are needed for repairs, meaning fewer disruptions for homeowners in terms of property damage caused by additional trenches being dug. Furthermore, the strength of the newly installed pipe is often better than the old one, providing long-term benefits. Pipe bursting can also be completed in less time than other repair methods and at a similar cost.
Directional Drilling

Another sewer replacement option is augering or horizontal directional drilling (HDD). This method works to cut through rocks and underground structures much like how oil drillers “drill” oil wells thousands of feet below the ground. An auger is inserted into the sewer pipe and a cutting head is attached to its end. The space created between the sewer line and the cutting head allows for debris such as rocks and sediment to be pushed out of the way while slowly crisscrossing through the sewer system to make way for a new sewer pipe.
Benefits of Directional Drilling
Directional drilling is another minimally disruptive and quick sewer repair method. It also allows for maneuverability in hard-to-reach areas with tight curves and fractures which are difficult to navigate with traditional excavation methods.
Excavation or Trenching
Excavation may be required as a last resort. This is the original method of repairing clogged sewer pipes, but it has some drawbacks. The procedure creates a trench in the earth that can ruin landscaping.

It is done with traditional digging methods like jack-and-bore, trenching, hand digging, or excavating. Traditional excavation means that our sewer repair crews use large machinery, like backhoes to dig up the sewer pipe and expose it. Our sewer repair crews can then replace any broken sewer lines.
Contact us today to learn more about our traditional sewer repair methods.
Benefits of Excavation or Trenching
We use this traditional method as a backup if other sewer repair methods cannot be performed.
Other Sewer Repair Methods
Other methods we use depending on the type and scope of the problem include:
- Pipe Lining
- Pipe Coating
- Trenchless Excavation
We are faster, cheaper, and less invasive than other companies still stuck digging trenches. Give us a call today!

“My wife and I were very happy with our experience with Sewer Renewal Specialists.”
Brad S.