Pipe Lining vs. Pipe Bursting Near Tacoma, WA: Which Sewer Repair Method Is Right for You?

1. Why Homeowners Are Faced With Sewer Repairs

If you're reading this, there's a good chance you’ve been smelling something strange, hearing weird gurgling noises from your drains, or maybe you’ve got a wet, sunken patch in your yard that’s not going away. You’re not alone.

We talk with homeowners across Pierce, Mason, and Thurston Counties who are dealing with sewer line trouble and aren’t sure what to do next. It’s stressful — especially when you don’t know how serious it is, how much it’ll cost, or even what your options are. That’s where we come in.

At TH Excavation, we help homeowners figure out the best solution, not just any solution. Two of the most common modern fixes we use are pipe lining and pipe bursting — but they work in different ways and are meant for different problems. Let’s break them down.

2. What Is Pipe Lining? (And When It Makes Sense)

Imagine you’ve got a cracked or slightly broken pipe under your lawn. Instead of digging everything up, pipe lining lets us fix it from the inside out. It’s kind of like putting a straw inside a broken straw.

Here’s how it works:

• We clean out your existing pipe.
  

• Then, we insert a flexible tube coated with a special resin.
  

• That tube is inflated, and the resin hardens to form a brand-new pipe inside your old one.

No digging. No trench. Just a new pipe inside your old one.

When Pipe Lining Makes Sense:

• The existing pipe isn’t totally collapsed.
  

• You have minor cracks, corrosion, or root damage.
  

• You want minimal disruption to your yard, driveway, or landscaping.
  

• You’re looking for a quicker, less invasive repair.

It’s often the preferred choice if your pipe can still hold shape and hasn’t completely caved in.

3. What Is Pipe Bursting? (And When You Need It Instead)

Now let’s say your sewer line is beyond repair — maybe it’s collapsed, crushed, or just too far gone. This is where pipe bursting comes in.

Instead of working within the old pipe, we break it apart underground and pull a brand-new pipe into its place at the same time. The bursting tool shatters the old pipe outward while dragging in a new one right behind it.

When Pipe Bursting Makes Sense:

• The old pipe is too damaged for lining to work.
  

• You want to upsize the pipe (go from 3” to 4”, for example).
  

• You need a full replacement but want to avoid full trench digging.

It’s a powerful option for homes with more serious problems — especially if your current sewer line has already failed or collapsed.

4. Pipe Lining vs. Pipe Bursting: Side-by-Side Comparison

Both options are trenchless, meaning your yard won’t be turned into a construction zone. But the right one for your home depends on the condition of your current sewer line and your future needs.

5. How to Know What’s Best for Your Property

You don’t need to guess which method is right. That’s our job. Here’s what we look at when helping homeowners decide:

• Is your pipe structurally sound? If it still holds shape, lining may work.
  

• Is the damage caused by collapse, shifting, or roots? Bursting may be better.
  

• Do you want a bigger pipe to handle more flow? Bursting can upsize.
  

• Are there tight spots (driveways, gardens, trees)? Lining may avoid disruption.

The first step is a sewer camera inspection. We send a small camera through the line to see exactly what’s going on underground. Then we walk you through your options in plain English — no pressure, just real answers.

6. Real Stories from Pierce, Mason & Thurston County

Here are a few real-life examples of how this plays out:

Case 1 – Tacoma Home with Old Clay Pipes

A homeowner in Tacoma had 60-year-old clay sewer lines. The pipes were cracked and had tree roots growing into them, but they hadn’t collapsed yet. We used pipe lining, saved their rose garden, and were done in two days. No trench, no mud, and no stress.

Case 2 – Steilacoom Rental with a Collapsed Main Line

A rental property in Steilacoom had a fully collapsed section of sewer line. Lining was out. We used pipe bursting to replace the entire line, even upgraded to a larger diameter to avoid future clogs. The tenants were back to normal within three days.

Case 3 – Olympia House with a Narrow Access Point

An Olympia homeowner had limited access due to a narrow side yard and a concrete driveway. Lining let us repair the damage without touching the driveway, which saved them thousands in potential concrete replacement.

7. What It’s Like to Work with TH Excavation

We’re based in Port Orchard and serve most of Pierce, Mason, and Thurston Counties. We’ve seen just about every type of sewer problem — and we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all fixes.

When you call us, you’re not getting a hard sell. You’re getting a walkthrough. We look at your situation, answer your questions, and explain the pros and cons of each method. No jargon. No pressure. Just honest info, so you can make the right call.

We handle the full process:

• Inspection
  

• Recommendation
  

• City permits (if needed)
  

• Clean-up
  

• And follow-up

We know this stuff can be overwhelming, so we break it down in a way that actually makes sense. And we never start until you’re ready.

8. Final Thoughts: Making the Right Choice for Long-Term Peace of Mind

Sewer problems are one of those things you hope you never have to deal with. But when they happen, it’s not the end of the world. With today’s trenchless options, most problems can be fixed faster, cleaner, and with less disruption than you think.

• Pipe lining is great for minor damage and homes where digging would be a mess.
  

• Pipe bursting is perfect when the line is totally shot or needs to be upsized.

If you’re not sure which fits your situation — or if you even need a repair yet — we’re here to help you figure it out.

TH Excavation is about straight answers, clear timelines, and no surprises. Sewer issues are messy. Working with a contractor shouldn’t be.