Michigan · Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor Pipe Bursting: Trenchless Line Replacement

Ann Arbor pipe bursting replaces a sewer line that's too far gone to reline — without a trench, which matters enormously under the city's mature tree canopy. When a century-old clay-tile lateral has collapsed, a bursting head fractures the old pipe outward while pulling a new seamless HDPE line through the same path, working through two small access pits instead of a long open cut that would sever the roots of protected trees. Sited carefully, those pits keep the work compatible with Historic District Commission expectations. This guide explains how bursting works, when it beats lining, what it costs, and how to find qualified Ann Arbor contractors.

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Connect with pre-screened specialists who replace collapsed clay tile and old lead service lines with seamless HDPE through two small pits — sparing the mature trees and historic yards a full trench. Compare services, verify credentials, and read reviews from local homeowners.

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This guide explains how pipe bursting works, where it fits among Ann Arbor's historic clay tile and protected trees, and connects homeowners with vetted Ann Arbor contractors.

When Ann Arbor Pipe Bursting Is the Right Choice

Bursting solves the problems CIPP lining can't. If the clay tile still holds shape, lining is the better fix; bursting is reserved for lines too far gone to host a liner.

Collapsed Clay Tile

When a pre-1940s clay-tile lateral has fully collapsed or suffered widespread structural damage, there's no channel left to line. Bursting forces a new path through whatever remains and pulls in new pipe.

Old Lead and Undersized Service

Bursting also replaces aging lead or undersized service lines outright, swapping them for modern HDPE in a single pull.

Upsizing Capacity

Bursting is the only trenchless method that can install a larger pipe than the original. As the head displaces the soil, the new line can come in one size up — useful for a chronically undersized or bellied lateral.

How Ann Arbor Pipe Bursting Works

Static bursting pulls a cone-shaped head through the line on a cable; pneumatic bursting adds a percussive hammer for tougher pipe. The workflow is the same:

1. Camera Inspection

A sewer camera inspection confirms bursting is right and flags close utilities and tree roots.

2. Two Access Pits

One insertion pit and one pulling pit — each about 3 by 4 feet, sited to avoid protected root zones, far smaller than a trench.

3. HDPE Fused On Site

New HDPE sections are heat-fused into one continuous, jointless pipe — no joints for soil movement or roots to exploit.

4. Burst & Pull

Hydraulic bursting machines pull the head through, fracturing the old pipe outward and drawing the new HDPE into place in one pass.

5. Connect, Verify & Restore

The new line ties into the cleanout and city main, a camera pass confirms slope, and the two small pits are backfilled.

Bursting and Ann Arbor's Tree Canopy

This is where bursting earns its place in Ann Arbor. A traditional trench down the length of a lateral cuts straight through the root zones of the mature trees that define the city's neighborhoods — often the trees the Historic District Commission and the city's ordinances protect. Bursting needs only two compact pits, and an experienced contractor sites them clear of critical root zones, so the canopy and the historic yard above the line stay intact. That careful pit placement is what keeps a full replacement compatible with HDC expectations.

Bursting vs. Lining in Ann Arbor

Most Ann Arbor repairs start with a camera, and the footage decides which method fits.

When Lining Is the Better Fit

For clay tile or cast iron with cracks, roots, or separated joints where the pipe still holds shape, lining is cheaper and faster — and it's the more common recommendation across the historic districts.

When Bursting Is the Better Fit

When the lateral has collapsed, is made of lead, or needs upsizing, bursting replaces rather than restores, leaving a new jointless HDPE pipe. See our guide on relining versus replacement.

Why HDPE Suits Ann Arbor Ground

Ann Arbor's Miami silt loam over glacial till is moderately expansive and shifts with moisture and hard freeze-thaw — the movement that cracked the original clay tile and pulled its joints apart. The heat-fused HDPE pipe that bursting installs has no joints and flexes with ground movement, so it rides out the settlement and frost cycles that destroyed the old line — a lasting advantage for a lateral threaded among mature tree roots.

Cost of Pipe Bursting in Ann Arbor

Typical Ann Arbor Pricing

Pipe Bursting (4-inch HDPE) $80 – $200 per linear foot
Bursting with Upsize (4" → 6") $120 – $250 per linear foot
Minimum Project Base Cost $4,000 – $7,000
Two Access Pit Excavation $900 – $2,200 (often included)
Pre-Bursting Camera & Cleaning $350 – $850

For comprehensive pricing, see our complete trenchless cost guide.

Ann Arbor-Specific Cost Factors

Lateral length, depth, and careful pit siting around protected trees drive most variation, and a pit landing in the right-of-way adds permit work. Against the cost — and loss — of removing a mature tree for a trench, our guide on when to replace versus repair usually favors bursting once a line is beyond lining.

Ann Arbor Areas We Serve

Old West Side

Historic district, collapsed clay tile under canopy

Burns Park

Older homes near UM, mature trees

Old Fourth Ward

Historic district near downtown

Kerrytown & Water Hill

Older near-downtown neighborhoods

Mid-Century Areas

Cast iron and early service lines

Pittsfield & Scio Edge

Newer subdivisions

When Ann Arbor Pipe Bursting Isn't an Option

Bursting handles most full replacements, but a few conditions force open-cut work.

Concrete Encasement or Close Utilities

A bursting head can't fracture through concrete encasement, and the outward expansion can damage a gas or water line within a few feet. Miss Dig 811 locating is mandatory before any bursting work.

Sharp Bends or Severe Misalignment

The head must follow the existing path, so sharp bends or large offsets can deflect it off-course. Camera footage tells the contractor whether the line is straight enough to burst, or whether root-choked sections need clearing first.

What to Look for in Ann Arbor Pipe Bursting Contractors

Bursting is the most equipment-intensive trenchless service, and pit siting around protected trees takes local know-how. Verify the following:

Ann Arbor Pipe Bursting Contractor Checklist

Michigan State Plumbing License — required for sewer lateral work in Michigan
City of Ann Arbor Permitting Experience — familiarity with main connections, right-of-way, and historic review
Owned Bursting Equipment — hydraulic winches, static and pneumatic heads, and an HDPE fusion welder; not subcontracted
Tree-Protection Awareness — sites access pits to spare protected root zones and mature trees
Miss Dig 811 Compliance — files the locate ticket and waits the required period before excavating
Pre & Post Camera Video — recorded inspection before and after, delivered to the homeowner
Written Warranty & Insurance — HDPE manufacturer warranty plus install warranty and adequate coverage

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Other Trenchless Services in Ann Arbor

Pipe bursting is one part of a complete Ann Arbor trenchless solution. Common related services:

Trenchless Services in Other Michigan Cities

TrenchlessNet serves homeowners across Michigan's major metro areas — from Washtenaw County to Metro Detroit and beyond:

Frequently Asked Questions

Will pipe bursting kill my mature trees?

It's designed to avoid that. Bursting needs only two compact access pits, and an experienced contractor sites them clear of critical root zones, so the canopy stays intact — a stark contrast to a full-length trench, which would cut straight through a tree's roots.

When do I need bursting instead of lining?

When the clay-tile line has fully collapsed, is made of lead, or needs upsizing, there's nothing sound to line, so bursting replaces it. If the pipe still holds shape, lining is usually the better and cheaper choice. A camera inspection settles it.

How long does Ann Arbor pipe bursting take?

Most residential projects finish in 1 to 2 days — pit excavation and HDPE fusion first, then a pull of a few hours. That's far faster than the multiple days an open-cut excavation takes.

Can I upsize my sewer line during bursting?

Yes — this is bursting's unique capability. As the head displaces the soil, the new HDPE can come in a size larger, commonly 4-inch to 6-inch when adding capacity.

Is bursting allowed in a historic district?

Generally yes, when the access pits are sited carefully and the surface is restored. Because it avoids a full trench, bursting is far more compatible with Historic District Commission expectations than open-cut replacement — a contractor familiar with local permitting will confirm the specifics.