Trenchless Burst-and-Replace Sewer Main Replacement in Brooklyn?

I need to replace our sewer main from the front of the house to the city main in the street, and I want to use the trenchless “burst-and-replace” methods that I have read about on the Web. My three questions: Does anybody know if this process is legal in NYC? Does anybody know of a contractor who will do it? And has anybody had this process done, and with what results and costs? Thanks, all!

jimo

in Plumbers and Plumbing 10 years and 5 months ago

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ellenlourie | 10 years and 5 months ago

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It is not legal.

jimo | 10 years and 5 months ago

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Who are you referring to? I don’t understand your comment.

no-permits | 10 years and 5 months ago

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where did you get the idea that they dig a trench? they don’t. another thing, don’t tell these guys how to do their job. I think a lot of people on this site do that and that’s why they don’t get called back

BobMarvin | 10 years and 5 months ago

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More to the point, IF this method IS legal, are any of the small number of plumbers who are licensed to do this work willing and able to use the method you want. Why not call them and ask?

jimo | 10 years and 5 months ago

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Again, it’s NOT a lining I’m talking about. It’s a whole new pipe (not plastic) that is pulled through by a device that fractures the old pipe as it goes through. It allows you to replace underground pipes without digging a huge trench the whole length of it, or destroying bluestone and other infrastructure. The city itself is using it in municipal projects. I just want to know if it’s legal for contractors to use it for residential projects.

dorkofwindsor | 10 years and 5 months ago

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i’m unaware of anyone using plastic in the main drain.

jimo | 10 years and 5 months ago

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I appreciate the recommendations, but does anybody know specifically if the burst-and-replace technology is permitted in New York City? I know it’s a city built on regulations, but can’t find this info.

bedstuytownhouse | 10 years and 5 months ago

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We did not have insurance and went with Main Man based on Arkady’s reco and were very happy. Found they had the best price and were in and out in one day.

Arkady | 10 years and 5 months ago

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Another neighbor who did not have the insurance found Main Man to have the best prices.

MrHancock | 10 years and 5 months ago

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Call Balkan. Make sure to read your post to them, I’m sure they’ll get a good laugh.

resident2 | 10 years and 5 months ago

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There are only a small number of specialist plumbers that are licensed by the City to pull a permit to change a sewer line. They all normally get the job done very quickly, due to the nature of the job…. the sewage has to go somewhere! If what you are asking for is legal in the City, I am sure all of them will know it. But you don’t get much choice, you will discover if you are trying to price the job, they will all quote basically the same price. (Yes, price fixing at work!)

Arkady | 10 years and 5 months ago

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That happened to my neighbor this past weekend. He had the City-sponsored insurance & Liberty Water & Sewer did the work. I don’t know what method they used but was astonished that the whole job was done in around 14 hours – 1 working day. You could try them.

jimo | 10 years and 5 months ago

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I should add that I am NOT looking to use any kind of relining of the sewer main, which is illegal anyway. I am looking at a technique where a pit is dug at each end of the line, and a whole new pipe is pulled through by a winch as the old pipe is fractured by a bursting head. Other details: the old pipe is a terra cotta line from 100+ years ago, which has finally been defeated by the enormous London planetree the city saw fit to plant in front of our house. There was a total blockage, which resulted in all our waste water bubbling up in the basement. Any advice is appreciated.