US Trenchless replaces collapsed, cracked, and root-invaded sewer and water lines throughout Sacramento, Rocklin, and the surrounding areas we serve using trenchless pipe bursting. No trench, no torn-up yard. As a California "A" General Engineering Contractor, we handle everything from a single failed lateral to full commercial mainline replacements. Call 877-916-7473 or request service online to schedule an inspection.
Headquartered in Sacramento, CA | CA "A" License #971065 | BBB A+ Accredited Since 2017 | 4.9 Stars from 120+ Google Reviews
Why Sewer and Water Lines Fail
Tree roots are the most common culprit. They work into joints and cracks looking for moisture, especially from older, established trees, and can eventually collapse a line outright. Flushing paper towels, wipes, hygiene products, and grease down the toilet compounds the problem by giving roots something to snag and clog around, often leading to a sewer repair call sooner than it should. Age matters too: a sewer line over 50 years old may be Orangeburg pipe, a tar-and-wood-pulp material that deforms under pressure and disintegrates as it absorbs moisture over time.
How Trenchless Pipe Bursting Works
Our process starts with a camera inspection. We feed a small camera through the existing line to confirm its condition, direction, location, and depth, then mark the pipe's start and end points on the surface. From there, we dig two small access pits, roughly 4' x 4' each, rather than trenching the full run.
A high-strength steel cable runs through the old pipe between the two pits. At the front is a steel splitting cone with a knife edge, pulled by a hydraulic winch generating roughly 20,000 pounds of pressure. As the cone travels through the old pipe, it bursts the material outward while pulling the new pipe into place behind it. It's one continuous pass, with no digging up the yard in between.
The new pipe is thermally fused into a single, jointless line that's resistant to root intrusion, backed for a 100-year service life. Once the cone reaches the far pit, we connect the new line to the existing upstream and downstream plumbing and backfill both access points.
Pipe Sizes and Materials We Handle
US Trenchless bursts and replaces pipe ranging from ¾ inch up to 48 inches or more in diameter, in runs up to 300 feet per set. Longer runs are possible depending on site conditions. Materials we commonly replace include cast iron, ductile iron, Class 200 PVC, vitrified clay, asbestos cement, Orangeburg, riveted steel, reinforced concrete up to Class V, and butt-weld steel up to ¼-inch walls.
The new pipe we install is HDPE across all DR ratings and pressure classes, including large-diameter HDPE fittings fabricated on-site, or fusible C900 Class 200 in DR14 and DR18, depending on the application.
Benefits of Trenchless Pipe Bursting
Choosing pipe bursting over a dig-and-replace job means lower excavation and restoration costs, a faster project timeline, and a yard that stays intact. Because the new line can often be upsized during the same process, many customers also see improved flow capacity, which can mean fewer backups going forward.
If pipe bursting isn't the right fit for your property, US Trenchless also offers horizontal directional drilling for other trenchless installation needs.
Why Choose US Trenchless
"Excellent customer service! We would absolutely use again in the future for any other issues that may arise. Thanks again!" — Jared B., Pipe Bursting customer in Davis, CA
Choosing the right contractor for trenchless work matters. Done wrong, it can turn into a bigger problem than the one you started with. US Trenchless holds California's highest-tier contractor license, the "A" General Engineering classification, and has been BBB A+ accredited since 2017. Get to know our team, or call 877-916-7473 or request service online to get your project scheduled.
Trenchless Pipe Bursting FAQs
Does pipe bursting work on large-diameter pipe, or just small residential lines?
Yes. US Trenchless's equipment handles pipe from ¾ inch up to 48 inches or more in diameter, which covers both a typical home's sewer lateral and larger commercial or municipal-adjacent lines.
What if my sewer line is made of Orangeburg or another old material?
Pipe bursting works on cast iron, ductile iron, PVC, vitrified clay, asbestos cement, Orangeburg, riveted steel, reinforced concrete, and butt-weld steel. Orangeburg in particular is common in Sacramento-area homes over 50 years old and is a routine job for our crews.
Why does trenchless pipe bursting require a General Engineering license?
Most plumbing companies hold a C-36 plumbing license, which doesn't cover trenchless installation methods at this scale. US Trenchless holds the "A" General Engineering license, California's highest contractor classification, which is what allows us to legally perform pipe bursting work.