Quick Answer

Trenchless sewer replacement by pipe bursting pulls new HDPE pipe through the path of the old pipe while simultaneously fracturing the deteriorated pipe outward into the soil — no open trench required. Used when camera inspection shows the pipe is too deteriorated for CIPP lining (collapsed sections, multiple severe fractures) but soil conditions allow bursting. Cost: $6,000–$12,000. Same-day in most residential cases. GreenSky financing available (Ref: 81085618). Part of Bison’s Trenchless Sewer Repair services.

There is a specific scenario that pipe bursting is designed for: the sewer line is beyond what lining can fix — sections have collapsed, the pipe has fractured in multiple places, or wall deterioration is so severe that a liner cannot achieve continuous contact with the pipe interior — but the homeowner wants to avoid the cost and disruption of full excavation.

Pipe bursting is the answer to that specific situation. It replaces the pipe entirely — not repairs it — without requiring a trench. The existing pipe is destroyed in place, displaced outward into the soil, and brand-new HDPE pipe takes its position along the same path. The result is a completely new pipe with a 50-year service life, installed without disturbing the yard, driveway, or landscaping above it.

2Access points required — cleanout end and municipal connection end only
50 yrsHDPE pipe service life — seamless, joint-free, root-resistant
Same DayCompletion time for most residential lateral replacements
$0Surface restoration cost — no concrete, asphalt, or landscaping disturbed

How Pipe Bursting Works

The Pipe Bursting Process — Step by Step

1

Camera Confirms Viability

The Picote HD camera runs the full lateral. Collapsed sections, fracture distribution, and pipe path are documented. Camera footage confirms whether pipe bursting is viable — or whether excavation is required.

2

Two Access Points Excavated

Small pits are dug at each end of the replacement section — at the cleanout or foundation entry point and at the municipal connection end. These are the only excavations required. Typically 2×3 feet each.

3

Bursting Head Inserted + HDPE Attached

The cone-shaped bursting head — slightly larger than the existing pipe’s outer diameter — is inserted at one access point. New HDPE pipe is attached to the trailing end of the bursting head.

4

Hydraulic Pull — Burst and Replace Simultaneously

A hydraulic winch at the receiving pit pulls the bursting head through the old pipe. The head fractures the pipe outward into the surrounding soil as it advances — while the new HDPE pipe follows directly behind, filling the void created.

Pipe Bursting vs. CIPP Lining — Which Is Right for Your Pipe

The camera inspection report determines which trenchless method applies. Both avoid excavation — but they address different pipe conditions:

🔌 Full Replacement

Pipe Bursting

What it doesDestroys old pipe and installs new HDPE in its place
Pipe conditionCollapsed sections, severe structural failure, pipe too deteriorated for liner contact
ResultBrand-new HDPE pipe — 50-year seamless, joint-free replacement
Access neededTwo small pits at each end — no trench
Cost range$6,000–$12,000 residential lateral
Best forPipe beyond lining — too deteriorated, collapsed, or severely fractured
📌 Structural Rehabilitation

CIPP Pipe Lining

What it doesCreates a structural liner inside the existing host pipe
Pipe conditionCracked, root-invaded, joint offsets — but structurally intact enough to support a liner
ResultSmooth liner sealed inside the existing pipe — seals cracks and root entry points
Access neededSingle cleanout access point — no pits or trench
Cost range$80–$250 per linear foot
Best forPipe that can support a liner — cracks and root intrusion without collapse

Why HDPE Is the Right Material for Trenchless Replacement

🔌

No Joints Along the Full Length

HDPE pipe is fused into a single continuous length before installation. Unlike clay and cast-iron pipe — which have joints every 4–5 feet where tree roots enter and groundwater infiltrates — HDPE has zero joints along the lateral. The single most common failure point in Metro Detroit sewer laterals is eliminated entirely.

🌿

Root-Resistant by Design

Tree roots enter sewer laterals through joint gaps and pipe wall cracks. HDPE's continuous, seamless construction provides no entry points for root penetration. For Warren, Ferndale, and Royal Oak homeowners with mature silver maple or elm roots that have repeatedly invaded clay laterals, HDPE replacement ends the root cycle permanently.

🔦

Corrosion-Proof Interior

HDPE is impervious to the internal corrosion that progressively deteriorates cast-iron pipe over 50–80 years in Metro Detroit's water chemistry environment. The pipe does not rust, scale, or pit from the inside. Its smooth interior surface maintains consistent flow velocity over the pipe's full 50-year service life.

🎯

Flexibility Under Soil Movement

HDPE's flexibility allows it to accommodate minor soil movement — the freeze-thaw ground expansion and contraction that shifts and cracks rigid clay and cast-iron pipe over Michigan winters. HDPE flexes without fracturing, maintaining its structural integrity through the same soil conditions that end the life of the pipe it replaces.

📈

50-Year Documented Service Life

HDPE pipe used in municipal water and sewer main construction carries a documented 50-year service life under normal operating conditions. The same material used in Macomb and Oakland County public infrastructure is installed in your private lateral — with the same longevity expectation.

🏠

Same Diameter or Upsized

Pipe bursting can replace the existing pipe at the same diameter or upsize to a larger diameter if increased flow capacity is desired. Upsizing is achieved using a larger bursting head that displaces more surrounding soil — allowing the new HDPE to exceed the old pipe's original inside diameter.

When Pipe Bursting Is the Right Answer — and When It Isn’t

✅ Use Pipe Bursting When

Pipe Bursting Is Appropriate

  • Camera shows collapsed section(s) where liner cannot make contact
  • Multiple severe fractures distributed along the lateral length
  • Pipe wall deterioration beyond what CIPP liner specifications allow
  • Full replacement is needed but excavation cost or landscape disruption is a concern
  • Soil around the pipe is compressible clay or loam — typical Metro Detroit soil
  • Adjacent utilities have adequate clearance from the burst path
  • Grade along the lateral allows clean HDPE installation without severe bends
→ Consider Alternatives When

Excavation or Lining May Be Better

  • Rocky soil or bedrock at pipe depth limits outward fracture displacement
  • Gas line, water main, or other utility runs parallel within a few inches of the sewer
  • Severe grade changes or 90-degree bends along the lateral path
  • Pipe condition supports CIPP lining — camera shows intact walls with isolated defects
  • Municipal connection requires excavation regardless — open-cut may be comparable cost
  • Pipe is PVC in good condition — no replacement needed, lining or spot repair sufficient

Pipe Bursting vs. Open-Cut Excavation — The Cost Comparison

Trenchless
$6K–$12K
Pipe Bursting
Pipe replacement only. No surface restoration required. No landscape damage. Same-day completion most cases.
Recommended
Traditional
$8K–$20K
Open-Cut Excavation
Pipe replacement + excavation + backfill + surface restoration. Concrete, asphalt, and landscaping restoration adds $2,000–$8,000.
Trenchless Rehabilitation
$80–$250/ft
CIPP Pipe Lining
When pipe condition supports lining — single access point, no pits. Lower cost than bursting when applicable. Camera determines viability.
💳 GreenSky Financing Available

Pipe Bursting Is a High-Ticket Job — GreenSky Makes It Accessible

Trenchless sewer replacement is a significant investment — but it’s a finite one. A $6,000–$12,000 pipe bursting job eliminates the sewer lateral as a recurring maintenance concern for 50 years. GreenSky financing allows qualified homeowners to fund the replacement at monthly payments rather than a single upfront cost. Same-day approval is available — financing can be confirmed before the job begins. Ask Bison about GreenSky at time of scheduling.

GreenSky Ref: 81085618. View Bison’s financing options.

Bison’s Pipe Bursting Process

1

Camera Inspection — Confirm Pipe Bursting Viability

The Picote HD camera runs the full lateral to document all defects, measure the lateral length and depth, identify the pipe material, and confirm that soil and utility conditions support bursting. Camera footage also locates any service connections (e.g., laundry connections entering the lateral mid-run) that must be reinstated after the new pipe is installed. Bursting viability is confirmed or an alternative method recommended based on this footage.

2

HDPE Pre-Fused to Full Lateral Length

HDPE pipe sections are heat-fused into a single continuous length equal to the lateral being replaced. The fusion joints — heated and pressed together — become as strong as the pipe body itself. The resulting single-piece HDPE lateral has no joints along its length. This assembly is staged at the receiving access point before bursting begins.

3

Access Pits Excavated — Equipment Set Up

Small access pits are excavated at the cleanout end (typically at the foundation or in the basement) and at the receiving end near the municipal connection. The hydraulic winch is positioned at the receiving pit, and the pull rod is threaded through the old pipe from the receiving end. The bursting head and HDPE pipe are attached at the insertion end.

4

Bursting Pull — Old Pipe Fractured, New Pipe Installed

The hydraulic winch pulls the bursting head through the old pipe at a controlled rate. The cone fractures the existing pipe outward into the surrounding soil as it advances. New HDPE pipe follows immediately behind, filling the void and taking the position of the destroyed lateral. The entire pull takes 1–3 hours for a typical residential lateral depending on length and depth.

5

Connections Reinstated + Camera Verification

Any branch connections that entered the old lateral are located and reinstated to the new HDPE pipe. The new lateral is connected at both the foundation/cleanout end and the municipal connection. Post-installation camera verifies the full HDPE run, confirms proper grade, and documents the completed installation for the property owner’s records.

💡 Camera First — Method Determined by Footage

Pipe bursting and CIPP lining are not interchangeable choices — the camera footage determines which method applies to your specific pipe condition. Some laterals that appear to need full replacement are actually good candidates for lining at significantly lower cost. Others that homeowners expect to be lineable turn out to have collapsed sections requiring bursting. Schedule a diagnostic camera inspection — Bison provides an honest assessment of which method is appropriate based on what the footage actually shows.