Sewer Lining & Trenchless Sewer Repair in Greater Seattle

Trenchless Sewer Repair & Sewer Pipe Relining

When it’s time to repair or replace your sewer line, digging up your yard doesn’t have to be part of the process. With modern trenchless sewer repair — also called sewer pipe lining or pipe relining — the experts at Bob Oates Plumbing, Sewer & Rooter can restore your pipes quickly, cleanly, and without major excavation.

Serving Seattle and nearby communities for more than 30 years, we’re proud to be the home of the second opinion — where honest advice, guaranteed repairs, and free camera evaluations come standard.

Why Homeowners Choose Trenchless Sewer Repair

Trenchless technology is a single-day, minimally invasive, eco-friendly way to restore your pipes without tearing up landscaping or driveways. And because there’s no large-scale excavation, homeowners typically avoid costly restoration of lawns, rockeries, sidewalks, and driveways.

Technicians from Bob Oates Plumbing, Sewer & Rooter prepare a cured-in-place-pipe liner for a trenchless sewer repair project.

Here’s why Seattle homeowners and businesses prefer trenchless sewer repair:

• No digging or property damage: Repairs are completed through existing access points.

• Fast turnaround: Most jobs finished in one day or less.

• Long-lasting results: New liners or replacement pipes built to last 50 years or more.

• Cost savings: Avoids expensive landscaping or driveway restoration.

• Guaranteed quality: All work performed by licensed, in-house Bob Oates technicians — never subcontractors.

Whether you’re dealing with tree root invasion, cracked clay pipes, or recurring backups, trenchless methods offer a clean, efficient fix that stands the test of time.

Bob Oates crew completes a trenchless CIPP lining and cleanout installation as part of a sewer repair project.

How Trenchless Technology Works

Pipe Lining (Cured-in-Place Pipe)

Pipe lining — also known as CIPP (cured-in-place pipe) lining — creates a new, seamless pipe inside your existing one.

Here's how:

1. Inspection: We start with a high-definition sewer camera inspection to pinpoint the problem. Our waterproof robotic camera enters through an existing access point (cleanout or interior drain) and records the entire run from your building to the city connection.

2. Cleaning: The old pipe is cleared using a high-pressure water jetter.

3. Lining: A resin-coated liner is inserted through an access point. We position a felt liner saturated with epoxy and use an inflation bladder to form a tight fit against the host pipe prior to curing.

4. Curing: UV light or hot air hardens the liner, creating a brand-new pipe inside the old one.

The result is a smooth, jointless pipe that’s root-resistant, corrosion-proof, and environmentally friendly — often installed and cured the same day.

On this trenchless sewer repair job, Bob Oates techs installed 70 feet of 4-inch liner using blue light curing — restoring service in hours with no digging required. Traditional methods can take up to 48 hours and involve major excavation.

This drain and sewer pipe lining service is versatile and capable of fixing a variety of different problems inside of sewer pipes ranging from 2-to-12 inches, as well as pipes made from concrete, clay, cast iron, and PVC.

Also, we can line any pipe! For example, we recently completed a 22” heating duct lining in the Seattle area that stretched 75’ under a customer’s home. We used a double liner for strength, and robotic cameras and specialized cutting tools helped us in reinstating each of the heat registers.

In other words, we can line anything!

Pipe Bursting

For pipes that are severely collapsed or beyond relining, pipe bursting provides a full underground replacement — without traditional trenching.

During pipe bursting, a hydraulic tool fractures the old pipe in place while simultaneously pulling a new HDPE pipe through the same path.

The result is a brand-new, structurally sound sewer line with minimal disturbance to your property.

Bob Oates technician using professional pipe bursting technology — a TRIC pulling unit — for replacing an underground sewer line.

Pipe bursting is ideal when:

• The existing pipe is too damaged to reline.
• You need to upgrade to a larger-diameter pipe.
• You want the strength and longevity of HDPE materials.

Both methods — pipe lining and pipe bursting — deliver exceptional results while keeping your yard intact and your schedule uninterrupted.

When to Consider Trenchless Repair

Not sure whether your sewer line needs repair or full replacement? Watch for these warning signs:

• Slow drains or frequent backups
• Gurgling noises from toilets or sinks
• Persistent sewage odors near drains
• Lush patches of grass or pooling water in the yard
• Older clay or cast-iron pipes showing signs of age

If you notice any of these issues, a camera inspection can reveal whether trenchless repair is right for you. Most homeowners are surprised to learn their pipes can be restored without digging a single trench.

Need an expert opinion? Our locally dispatched team can quickly be on-site for a detailed inspection and provide you with a personalized quote. Give us a call or schedule an appointment today!

Advantages of Going Trenchless with Bob Oates

Choosing Bob Oates means choosing a company that handles every phase of your sewer repair — from inspection to installation — entirely in-house. No subcontractors, no hidden fees, and no unnecessary excavation.

Here’s why Seattle trusts our team for trenchless solutions:

• Speed: Most repairs completed in one day.
• Clean Process: No damage to landscaping or hardscaping.
• Longevity: Liners and HDPE replacements last up to 50 years.
• Eco-Friendly: Epoxy materials and reduced soil disturbance protect your property and the planet.
• Experience: Decades of proven results across King and Snohomish Counties.
• Seattle-ready: We routinely reline under rockeries and mature landscaping with no surface damage.
• Home value: Documented, code-compliant lining can be a selling point at resale.

Our trenchless equipment includes the latest IPT, Perma-Liner, and HammerHead systems — giving us the flexibility to choose the perfect approach for every project.

Serving the Greater Seattle Area

We’re proud to provide trenchless sewer repair and pipe lining for homeowners and businesses across the Greater Seattle region, including:

• Ballard
• Bellevue
• Federal Way
• Fremont
• Greenwood
• Kent
• Lynnwood
• Magnolia
• Maple Leaf
• Phinney Ridge / Green Lake
• Queen Anne
• Renton
• Seattle
• Shoreline
• Tacoma
• Wallingford
• West Seattle

Contact Bob Oates for a Free Quote or Second Opinion

Don’t settle for unnecessary excavation — call the experts at Bob Oates Plumbing, Sewer & Rooter for a free camera evaluation and an honest, upfront quote.

Give us a call or contact us today. And be sure to check out Bob’s profile piece in Cleaner Magazine!

FAQs About Trenchless Sewer Repair

What is trenchless sewer repair?

Trenchless sewer repair is a method of fixing damaged underground pipes without digging long trenches. It uses techniques like pipe lining and pipe bursting to restore your sewer line with minimal disruption to your yard or driveway.

Is trenchless sewer repair available for Seattle side sewers?

Yes. Trenchless repair is commonly approved for Seattle side sewers when conditions allow. We work closely with the City of Seattle to obtain the necessary permits and follow local codes.

How long does a relined sewer pipe last?

A properly installed cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) liner can last several decades. Lifespan depends on factors such as the original pipe’s condition, soil movement, and water chemistry.

When is trenchless sewer repair not an option?

If a sewer line is severely collapsed, has major offsets, or lacks suitable access points, trenchless repair may not be possible. In these cases, traditional excavation may be required.

Will trenchless sewer repair damage my landscaping or driveway?

Trenchless methods use small access points instead of open trenches, so most landscaping, hardscaping, and other features remain intact compared to conventional excavation.