CIPP Lining vs Pipe Bursting | Which Sewer Repair Method is Best?

CIPP Lining vs Pipe Bursting: Which Trenchless Method is Right for You?

If you need sewer line repair in Delaware County, you have two main trenchless options: CIPP pipe lining and pipe bursting. Both avoid full excavation, but they work differently and solve different problems.

Call 610-803-6851 for a free camera inspection and honest recommendation.

Quick Comparison

Feature CIPP Lining Pipe Bursting
Best For Cracked pipes, root damage, corrosion Collapsed pipes, undersized pipes, Orangeburg pipe
Cost $5,000-$12,000 $8,000-$15,000
Pipe Condition Must have structural integrity (50%+ intact) Can be fully collapsed
Lifespan 50+ years 75-100 years (new HDPE pipe)
Time 1-2 days 2-3 days
Excavation 2 small access points 2 small pits (larger than CIPP)
Pipe Size Reduces diameter by 1/4″ Can increase size (upsize 4″ to 6″)

What is CIPP Lining?

CIPP (Cured-In-Place Pipe) lining inserts a resin-soaked liner inside your existing pipe. We inflate it, cure it with hot water or UV light, and it hardens into a new pipe inside the old one.

Best for:

  • Cracked cast iron or clay pipes
  • Root intrusion at joints
  • Corrosion holes
  • Separated joints
  • Pipes with 50%+ structural integrity

NOT good for:

  • Fully collapsed pipes
  • Pipes filled with roots (need cleaning first)
  • Bellied pipes (need grading correction)
  • Orangeburg pipe (too weak to support liner)

Cost: $5,000-$12,000 for 50-100 feet

Learn more about CIPP lining →

What is Pipe Bursting?

Pipe bursting pulls a cone-shaped bursting head through your old pipe, breaking it apart while simultaneously pulling a new HDPE pipe behind it. The old pipe fragments stay in the ground.

Best for:

  • Fully collapsed pipes
  • Orangeburg pipe (tar paper pipe)
  • Undersized pipes (can upsize 4″ to 6″)
  • Severely damaged cast iron
  • Pipes beyond repair

NOT good for:

  • Pipes under obstacles (trees, buildings) where pulling is blocked
  • Pipes with 90-degree bends (bursting head can’t turn)
  • Very shallow pipes (<2 feet deep)

Cost: $8,000-$15,000 for 50-100 feet

Learn more about pipe bursting →

Which Should You Choose?

Choose CIPP Lining if:

  • Your pipe is cracked but not collapsed
  • You want the lower-cost option
  • You have root intrusion at joints
  • Your pipe is 50%+ intact (camera shows it)

Choose Pipe Bursting if:

  • Your pipe is fully collapsed
  • You have Orangeburg pipe (tar paper)
  • You want to increase pipe diameter
  • You want a completely new pipe (not a liner)

Our Recommendation Process

We NEVER recommend a method until we run a camera inspection. Here’s our process:

  1. Free camera inspection — We run a video camera through your sewer line
  2. Show you the video — You see exactly what’s wrong
  3. Explain your options — CIPP, pipe bursting, or spot repair
  4. No-pressure quote — We don’t upsell. We recommend what actually fixes the problem.

Delaware County Sewer Line Experts

We’ve installed 200+ trenchless sewer repairs in Delaware County since 2019. We own both CIPP and pipe bursting equipment in-house (most plumbers subcontract this work).

  • In-house equipment (no subcontractors)
  • Free camera inspection
  • Free second opinion — we beat competitor quotes by 10%
  • Two offices: Springfield & Aston
  • Same-day estimates

Service Area

Havertown |
Upper Darby |
Springfield |
Media |
Drexel Hill |
All Delaware County

Not sure which method you need?
Call 610-803-6851 for a free camera inspection + honest recommendation