6 Reasons Why Sewer Pipe Relining Beats Traditional Repair

If you’re dealing with sewer line issues, you’ve probably heard the horror stories — weeks of construction, torn-up landscaping, and sky-high costs. Traditional sewer repair often means deep trenches, heavy equipment, and serious disruption to your home and routine.

But there’s a better way. At Bob Oates Plumbing, Sewer & Rooter, we offer trenchless sewer pipe relining, a modern, non-invasive solution that restores damaged pipes quickly and affordably. Here are six reasons why homeowners across Greater Seattle are choosing sewer pipe relining over excavation:

1. It Saves You Money

Traditional sewer repair usually involves excavating your yard, driveway, or even part of the street just to access the problem. That means not only the cost of digging but also property restoration after the work is done — landscaping, concrete, and cleanup add up fast.

With CIPP (cured-in-place pipe) relining, there’s no need to dig. We insert an epoxy liner into your existing pipe through an access point, eliminating the need for backhoes or trenching. Fewer labor hours and less equipment mean significantly lower costs — without cutting corners on quality.

2. It’s Much Faster

Excavation can drag on for days or even weeks depending on the extent of damage and permitting needs. Meanwhile, your plumbing is out of commission.

Relining is far quicker. In most cases, our team can complete the entire process in under 24 hours — and with our UV-curing technology, some projects can be finished in as little as one hour. That means less disruption and faster results.

3. It’s Less Intrusive

Trenchless pipe relining leaves your property virtually untouched. There’s no need to dig up your yard, break through concrete, or reroute traffic.

We simply access your sewer line from an existing entry point and complete the entire process underground. Whether your pipes run under your garden, patio, or garage floor — relining means no torn-up landscaping, no construction mess, and no unexpected surprises.

4. It Extends the Life of Your Pipes

Sewer pipe relining doesn’t just patch a problem — it creates a new, high-performance pipe inside your old one. The epoxy liner is corrosion-resistant, root-resistant, and built to last up to 50 years.

The result? A renewed, stronger system with minimal diameter loss and none of the weaknesses of aging clay, cast iron, or corroded metal pipes. One repair can last a lifetime.

5. It’s Environmentally Friendly

Excavation doesn’t just damage your yard — it can disrupt local ecosystems and generate landfill waste from broken pipe materials, soil, and concrete.

Trenchless pipe relining is a cleaner, greener solution:

• No contaminated soil disposal
• Minimal material waste
• Eco-safe epoxy resins
• Zero chemical runoff

And with no heavy machinery on-site, your carbon footprint stays low, too.

6. It Comes With Very Few Drawbacks

Pipe relining is compatible with most common pipe materials, including PVC, cast iron, clay, concrete, and even metal and fiberglass. It doesn’t reduce water pressure or sewer line flow, and once cured, the new liner performs as well as a newly installed pipe.

In our Seattle-area communities, the most common residential or commercial sewer pipes that need relining are the older 4″ and 6″ concrete and/or clay pipes installed over 60 years ago. We can reline up to 100 feet in most cases and can even reline right through “transitions” when sewer pipes go from 4″ to 6″ (at the property line), saving you time, money, and ugly trench scars that disrupt your landscaping.

At Bob Oates, we’ve successfully lined everything from 2” residential drains to 22” commercial ducts, using robotic tools and cutting-edge camera inspections to ensure precision on every job. We can line almost anything — and you won’t even know we were there. Most jobs can be completed in one day without digging !

Check out this comparison table that highlights the benefits of going trenchless:

Sewer Problems? We’ve Got You Covered!

At Bob Oates Plumbing, Sewer & Rooter, we’ve proudly served the Seattle area for over 30 years. We’re licensed, bonded, and equipped with the latest trenchless technology, including Nu Flow Tech epoxy liners and UV curing systems.

Whether you’re facing a plumbing emergency or planning preventative maintenance, we’re here to help — with fast, clean, and lasting results. All work and materials are guaranteed.

Call today to schedule a sewer camera inspection or learn more about trenchless pipe relining in Seattle and all surrounding communities. One call to Bob Oates, and your pipes are as good as new — without the mess.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I know if trenchless repair is right for my sewer line?
A: We always perform a professional sewer camera inspection first to assess the pipe’s condition and determine whether pipe lining or pipe bursting is the best solution.

Q: Will trenchless repair damage my landscaping or driveway?
A: No. We use existing access points and specialized tools to work entirely underground — no trenches, no damage.

Q: How long does trenchless sewer relining take?
A: Most projects are completed in one day. UV-cured lining can harden in as little as one hour.

Q: Is trenchless pipe lining safe and long-lasting?
A: Yes — the epoxy liners we use are environmentally friendly and rated to last 50 years or more.