CIPP vs. dig-and-replace: which is right?
Lining, pipe bursting, spot repair and open-cut replacement, side by side: time, mess, cost and when each one is the right call.
The honest comparison.
| Compare | CIPP lining | Pipe bursting | Dig and replace | Spot repair (CIPP patch) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digging | None in most cases: work is done through cleanouts and manholes | Two small pits instead of a full trench | Trench along the whole pipe, plus restoration | None or a small access |
| Typical time | Often about a day for a home | Often one to a few days | Several days plus restoration | A few hours |
| Yard, driveway and floors | Left in place | Mostly left in place | Cut, dug and rebuilt | Left in place |
| Typical cost* | About $80 to $250+ per foot (residential) | Often about $60 to $200+ per foot | Often about $50 to $250+ per foot before restoration | Priced per repair, far less than full lining |
| Fixes cracks, roots and leaking joints | Yes | Yes, with a brand-new pipe | Yes | Yes, for one section |
| Fixes a collapsed pipe | Usually no | Yes | Yes | Usually no |
| Fixes a deep belly or wrong grade | No | Not usually | Yes, with regrading | No |
| Design life often cited* | 50 years | 50 years or more (HDPE) | Depends on the new pipe | Matches CIPP |
| Best for | Cracked, rooted or leaking pipe that is still in place | Collapsed or deformed pipe, or a pipe that must be upsized | Severe grade problems or full redesign | One bad spot in an otherwise sound pipe |
*Published U.S. ranges and design-life figures. Real cost depends on diameter, length, depth, access and conditions. A camera inspection and a written estimate are the final word.
Which one should you choose?
Choose CIPP lining
If the pipe is cracked, leaking or root-invaded but still in place, and you want the yard, driveway and floors left alone.
Choose pipe bursting
If the pipe has collapsed, is badly deformed or must be upsized, and you still want to avoid a full trench.
Choose dig and replace
If the pipe has a deep belly, the grade is wrong or the line needs redesign. It is also the right call for a short, easy-access run.
Questions, answered
Do you have to dig up my yard?
In most cases, no. The liner goes in through an existing cleanout or manhole, so lawns, driveways, patios and floors stay in place. If the camera shows a pipe that has collapsed or a section that cannot be lined, we tell you and explain the options, which may include a small spot dig or pipe bursting.
How much does CIPP lining cost?
Published U.S. ranges commonly run about $80 to $250 or more per foot for residential lining and about $100 to $300 or more for commercial work, depending on diameter, length, access and conditions. The Cost Estimator on this site gives a planning range; a free camera inspection gives a firm written price. Call 800-224-9245.
Can every pipe be lined?
No. Lining works on pipes that are still roughly round and in place: cracked, corroded, leaking or root-invaded. A collapsed pipe or a deep belly that holds water usually cannot be lined. A camera inspection tells us which you have, and we say so plainly.
How long does a CIPP liner last?
A 50-year design life is widely cited for CIPP. That is an engineering design basis, not a guarantee, and real performance depends on cleaning, installation quality and the condition of the host pipe. Ask for the warranty terms in writing and keep the final camera footage.
Still deciding?
We will camera your pipe and recommend the right repair, honestly.