Side by side
| # | Pipe lining (CIPP) | Pipe bursting | |
|---|---|---|---|
| L-01 | What happens to the old pipe | Stays in place as a host for the liner | Broken outward into the soil |
| L-02 | Access | Often from a cleanout; sometimes one small pit | Entry and exit pits |
| L-03 | Pipe condition needed | Holds its shape; can be cracked or root-damaged | Passable; can be badly cracked |
| L-04 | Prep | Thorough cleaning (roots, scale, grease) | Pre-TV inspection required by Central San |
| L-05 | Inside diameter afterward | Slightly smaller | Same or larger |
| L-06 | Bellies, sags, collapse | Not fixed | Not fixed; collapse needs digging |
| L-07 | Published cost | $80–$250+/ft | $60–$200+/ft |
When lining is the better fit
- The pipe is round and continuous, with cracks or root entry but no collapse
- Access is very limited: the line runs under the house slab, a finished patio or a protected tree
- You want to avoid any pit in a particular spot
- The contractor can show before-and-after video, including how branch connections will be reopened
When bursting is the better fit
- The old pipe is too broken or too out of round to line
- You want the same diameter or larger
- There is room for entry and exit pits at each end
- Soil and nearby utilities allow it (the contractor should locate other lines first)
When neither works
A long belly, a collapsed section or a line that needs its slope corrected is open-trench territory, at least for that stretch. See the repair-or-replace table and the trenchless page for how contractors decide, and the cost guide for prices.
Questions homeowners ask
What are the downsides of pipe lining?
Lining slightly narrows the pipe, can't correct a belly or a collapsed section, depends on thorough cleaning first, and needs careful reinstatement where other lines tie in. Ask for the liner's warranty in writing.
Which lasts longer, lining or bursting?
That depends on the product and the installation. Ask each contractor for the manufacturer's specifications and the written warranty rather than relying on a sales claim.
Is relining cheaper than replacing?
Not always. Bay Area guides put lining at $80–$250+ per foot and bursting at $60–$200+ per foot (Next Level Plumbing). Lining can win when access is very limited; bursting can win when the old pipe is too damaged to line.
Sources
- Next Level Plumbing: Sewer Lateral Replacement Cost, 2026 Bay Area Guide
- HomeGuide: Sewer Line Replacement Cost (updated December 2025)
- Central San: Sewer Repairs (permits, cleanouts, OPDs, inspections)
Rules and programs change. Confirm current requirements with the agency before you start work.