Life is loud. The constant hustle of balancing work and family life doesn’t leave a lot of time to think about things you should have invested in before you needed them. Things like a windshield scraper before trying to use your credit card to clear the ice, or spare batteries before jousting the fire alarm in an epic battle at 3 AM. Or, maybe you are one of the lucky ones that planned and had toilet paper in 2020 when all the stores were out. But, the fact is, several things do not cross our minds to plan for –  until it does. Pipes buried underground are one of the main things that are out of sight and out of mind – until it isn’t.

Infrastructure & “Out of Sight, Out of Mind”

If someone asked you how much infrastructure was laid out underground for America’s drinking water, your eyes would likely glaze over as you imagined networks and networks of interconnected pipes. There are 2.2 million miles of pipe that we don’t see and therefore do not think about often. Pipes have a lifespan of about 75 to 100 years. If that last sentence gave you some sense of relief, I am about to burst your bubble. The oldest pipes were laid just after World War II. When was that again? Around this time (October-ish) 1945. Nearly 77 years ago. That’s right; we are right in the expiration of their lifespan.

Every year the American Society of Civil Engineers reviews America’s infrastructure and gives a ‘report card’. In 2021, America received a C-. One of the reasons cited was that there are approximately 10 to 37 leaks and breaks per every 100 miles of pipe. Recall, there are 2.2 million miles of pipe – every 100 miles is…too much. Long story short, the ASCE estimated about 300,000 breaks per year, a water main break every two minutes. Essentially, there will be approximately 7 water main breaks by the time you are finished reading this article. The water lost every day is enough to fill over 9,000 swimming pools (ASCE, 2021). The loss of water coupled with the lifespan of pipes underground escalates the poor condition of America’s infrastructure to one of urgent priority. So how do we start working on the problem without incurring tremendous expense in time, effort, and cost of a nationwide excavation? Trenchless technology is the answer.

What is Trenchless Technology?

Trenchless Technology incorporates several methods for pipe rehabilitation with little to no digging and is eco-friendly. It is as it sounds ‘trenchless’. Networks of sewer and water pipes run underground, connecting us. In a sense, it was the internet before the internet that carried everyone’s business from personal homes to municipal lines. Trenchless technologies offer quick, cost-effective solutions for repairing or replacing pipes and manholes while featuring non-disruptive strategies. This is essential to commercial, industrial, and residential clients.  

By cost-effective, trenchless doesn’t save pennies – it is about HALF the cost of digging up lines under the pavement or surface. Before trenchless technology, you would have to replace more of your sidewalk, driveway, decorative pavers, or cobblestone. Trenchless is considerable money saving. Now that you are inspired, before running to Home Depot for supplies, trenchless technologies require equipment and supplies beyond the scope of a weekend DIY project. There are also some situations when trenchless technology will not be a viable solution, and a certified professional can accurately identify the problem and the optimal solution. Most trenchless repairs take one day and a few workers. But, this is not every case.

How Do Pipes Get Punctured Underground?

Indeed, pipes run underground, protected from the elements and sharp objects – well, most of them. Tree roots can puncture pipes. Interestingly, it is not enough to remove the tree because roots continue to grow for up to five years after a tree is gone. Trenchless technology is a viable solution in this instance. Tree roots can cause line bursts or slow leaks, exposing the pipe to debris, rocks, and dirt. If the water pressure is low in your home or business, having your pipes inspected is a good idea. Other problem areas can include:

• Tuberculation: Iron-eating bacteria that dissolve the pipe.
• Grease: Don’t pour grease down the sink! Grease solidifies when cool.
• Line Adjustments: High or low spots are caused by shifting soil over time.
• Corrosion: Aged, rusty pipes.

Scheduled Infrastructure Maintenance & Cleaning

It is essential to be proactive and stay ahead of expensive repairs by adapting to a preventative maintenance schedule for sewer and water pipes. Schedule pipe maintenance as regularly as you do a spring cleaning for your home. Regular maintenance will ensure that cracks or problem areas are found and remedied before they become a problem. In addition, cleanings will detect problems and prevent clogs. Including water and sewer lines in this ritual is extremely important because exposed sewer lines contaminate the water table.

Why Trenchless Technology?

Are you not sold yet? If we haven’t given you enough reasons to appreciate trenchless technologies, here are a few more. We already revealed that trenchless minimizes disruption of the environment and positively affects the pocketbook. Did you know going trenchless also means significantly reduced traffic congestion when repairing or replacing pipes? There is no need to close an entire road and detour gridlock. When municipalities save on costs, we all save on costs.  

Trenchless technology is impactful by contributing to a stable economy and is environmentally sound. It even has its day of celebration on the fourth Thursday of September each year with World Trenchless Day (check out our trenchless celebration video on LinkedIn). The NASTT describes it as:

[Trenchless technology refers to] a family of construction techniques for installing or rehabilitating underground infrastructure with minimal disruption to surface traffic, businesses, and residents. Also includes technologies for inspection, leak location, and leak detection with minimal disruption and minimal excavation from the ground surface.

Standard Pipe Services is proud to offer trenchless technology solutions to our clients throughout the Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and Philadelphia areas. Please don’t wait to schedule an infrastructure plan until it is too late. Instead, contact us today to schedule an inspection or help with a maintenance schedule. Follow us on LinkedIn for more tips!