Replacing Collapsed Sewer Lines Without Full Excavation
Pipe Bursting in Great Falls for severely damaged, collapsed, or obsolete underground sewer lines
Apple Valley Backhoe Service uses pipe bursting to replace failed underground sewer lines for homeowners and rural property owners in Great Falls who need a new line installed without digging a trench along the entire route. You may have discovered through camera inspection that your sewer pipe has collapsed in multiple places, suffers from widespread root damage that cleaning cannot resolve, or consists of outdated orangeburg or clay tile that has reached the end of its usable life.
Pipe bursting works by pulling a cone-shaped bursting head through the existing damaged pipe, fracturing it outward into the surrounding soil while simultaneously drawing new high-density polyethylene pipe into the void. The method requires access pits at both ends of the line but leaves the surface between those points largely undisturbed, which matters especially on properties with long runs beneath driveways, sidewalks, or mature landscaping that would be costly to remove and restore after traditional open-trench replacement.

If your sewer line has failed beyond what spot repairs can address, contact us to schedule a site evaluation and determine whether pipe bursting is suitable for your property layout and soil conditions.
How Pipe Bursting Installs New Lines While Breaking Apart Old Ones
The process begins with excavating two access pits: one where the damaged line leaves your foundation and another where it connects to the municipal system or septic field. A hydraulic cable pulls the bursting head from the entry pit toward the exit pit, fracturing the old pipe and compacting the broken pieces into the soil as the new pipe follows directly behind. You may hear the hydraulic unit running and notice some soil movement near the pits, but the yard, driveway, and other surface features between those points remain largely undisturbed.
After the new pipe is in place and connections are completed, Apple Valley Backhoe Service backfills the access pits and restores the grade. The result is a system that flows properly again, eliminating backups, slow drainage, and the wet spots or odors caused by failing pipe sections. The new pipe is designed to resist root intrusion, handle ground movement, and provide long-term durability.
This method works best when the existing pipe follows a relatively straight path and remains continuous enough to guide the bursting head. It may not be suitable for lines with sharp bends, pipes that have fully collapsed, or situations where nearby utilities or structures limit proper access. In those cases, traditional excavation or alternative trenchless solutions may be recommended.
Questions About Pipe Bursting for Sewer Line Replacement
Property owners in Great Falls often want to know how pipe bursting compares to conventional trenching and what conditions make it the right choice for their underground line replacement.
How does pipe bursting differ from trenchless pipe lining or sliplining?
Pipe bursting completely removes the old pipe by fracturing it and replaces it with new material, while lining inserts a sleeve inside the existing pipe, which reduces internal diameter slightly.
What size pipe can be installed using the pipe bursting method?
The new pipe is typically the same diameter as the old line or slightly larger, and high-density polyethylene is the standard material due to its flexibility and durability.
Why does pipe bursting reduce total project cost compared to open trenching?
You avoid the expense of removing and restoring driveways, sidewalks, landscaping, and irrigation systems that would need to be demolished to expose the full length of the line.
When is pipe bursting not suitable for a damaged sewer line?
Lines with multiple sharp direction changes, those running beneath active building foundations, or pipes that have completely separated with large gaps may require traditional excavation instead.
What happens to the fragments of the old pipe after bursting is complete in Great Falls soil?
The broken pieces remain compacted in the soil around the new pipe and do not interfere with its function or pose any risk to future performance.
Apple Valley Backhoe Service can evaluate your property and damaged line to determine whether pipe bursting will work for your situation and provide a replacement quote based on line length and site conditions. Call us to arrange a consultation and discuss your options for underground line replacement.