Trenchless is great if your line runs straight and you want to save the landscaping, but sometimes it’s just easier to bite the bullet and dig.
Totally get where you’re coming from. I’ve had a few properties where trenchless just wasn’t an option—old terra cotta pipes, weird junctions, you name it. Digging is a pain, but at least you know exactly what’s happening down there. Ever run into issues with old repairs or DIY “fixes” from previous owners? That’s bitten me more than once... Sometimes seeing it all laid out is worth the hassle.
Yeah, I’ve been there with the “mystery repairs” from previous owners. One place I worked on had this Frankenstein setup—bits of PVC, some ancient cast iron, and even a section of orangeburg pipe (which I didn’t even know was a thing until then). Trenchless wasn’t even on the table because the line zigzagged like a snake and had all these weird couplings. Ended up digging it all up by hand, which was brutal, but at least I could see every joint and fix it right.
Honestly, as much as I hate tearing up the yard, sometimes it’s the only way to get a real look at what’s going on. Found a spot where someone had literally wrapped a crack in duct tape and buried it again—no joke. If I’d tried to sleeve or line that, it probably would’ve just failed again down the line.
The upside is you can get rid of all the roots for good (or at least for a long while) if you’re replacing sections. I always take the time to lay down some root barrier fabric and gravel around the new pipe, just for peace of mind. It’s not foolproof, but it slows them down.
I get why people want to avoid digging, especially with nice landscaping or patios in the way. But if your pipes are old or patched together, sometimes you just gotta bite the bullet. At least then you know exactly what you’re dealing with, instead of guessing and hoping for the best.
That duct tape “repair” is wild… I’ve seen some pretty questionable fixes, but that takes the cake. I totally get what you mean about digging being the safest bet sometimes, even if it’s a pain. Did you run into any buried wires or anything risky while you were digging? I’m always paranoid about hitting something I shouldn’t, especially with older properties where nothing’s marked right.
I know what you mean about the paranoia—older houses are a total mystery underground. Last time I had to dig, I actually found an old, disconnected gas line nobody knew about. Ever run into stuff like that? Makes me wonder how many surprises are still hiding down there...
Yeah, that’s the kind of stuff that keeps me on edge every time I’m working around older places. I’ve come across random pipes and wires that weren’t on any plans—one time it was an old clay drain line, just crumbled when I touched it. Makes me double-check everything before I dig now. You never really know what’s under there, especially with houses that have been through a few renovations over the years. Always feels like a bit of a gamble...