What is Pipe Bursting?

Pipe bursting is a trenchless method used by professional plumbers to replace pipelines with PE100 in the same alignment. This process does not require physically removing the existing pipeline. This method does not need right-of-way in order to install a PE100 replacement pipe. It can also be used to upsize the existing pipeline to increase its capacity. This method is done only by professional plumbers.

3 Types of Pipe Bursting

There are three types of pipe bursting used by plumbers: the pneumatic, hydraulic, and the static pull. Find out below the difference between each method.

Pneumatic

Pneumatic pipe bursting is the method of replacing pipe without the need for a traditional trench. It uses a pneumatic tool to burst the old pipes. It pushes through the old pipeline while pulling the new pipe behind.

The advantages of this pipe bursting method are:

• Less Time Consumed - No trench means no need to dig, which makes the process even faster

• Low Cost - Because it is a faster method, less labor is needed.

• Larger Pipes - Pneumatic enables the owner to replace old pipes with a much larger size for larger flow capacity.

• High-Quality Pipe - The pipe replaced the old one is HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene), which is very durable, leak-proof, and rust-resistant.

A professional plumber in San Fernando Valley, CA offers pipe bursting for old pipes and pipes that require bigger flow capacity.

Hydraulic

Hydraulic bursting is one of the methods of pipe bursting that can replace ductile iron and steel pipe. It can also be the method used to replace other variety of pipe materials. This process is commonly done from one manhole to another manhole. The bursting head that fragments existing old pipe relies on hydraulic cylinders that expands to crack the old pipe. This method is mostly used in a pipe with a diameter ranging from 6" to 20".

Static Pull

Static Pull is another pipe bursting method for pipelines used for gas and water that are made from steel and ductile iron. Static uses a horizontal winch that serves as a hydraulic jack. It may also use a high tension drum. This process is efficient and simple. This can be used from pipes with a diameter ranging from 4" to 48".

Summary:

To summarize it all, pneumatic and hydraulic methods both use a dynamic force in order to break old pipes while the static pull method uses constant pull force. Pneumatic is used to replace old pipes with larger ones while hydraulic is used from pipes 6" to 20" in diameter. On the other hand, static is for pipes 4" to 48" in diameter.