Pipe Bursting Tempe Verified listing

Pipe Bursting in Tempe by DEVCO Development and Engineering

DEVCO Development and Engineering provides trenchless pipe bursting services in Tempe and across Maricopa County for homeowners, businesses, and public agencies. We replace failing sewer and water lines by breaking the old pipe underground and pulling in a new one, often in a single day, using engineered bursting equipment and modern HDPE or fusible PVC pipe.

What Pipe Bursting Actually Does

Pipe bursting is a trenchless method of replacing an existing buried pipe without digging a long open trench. We dig a small entry pit and a receiving pit, feed a steel cable or rod through the old line, then pull a bursting head that fractures the existing pipe while towing in a new pipe right behind it.

For many customers searching for Pipe Bursting Tempe, the main concern is replacing a line that runs under driveways, landscaping, parking lots, or even close to foundations. Pipe bursting lets us upgrade that pipe with far less surface disruption than traditional excavation.

Pipe Bursting for Cast Iron Pipe Replacement

Older cast iron sewer lines are common on many properties. Over time, they corrode from the inside, build up scale, and crack at joints. That leads to frequent backups and root intrusion. Pipe bursting for cast iron pipe replacement Tempe owners request the most is usually for these types of failing sewer laterals.

During bursting, the hardened cast iron is broken into fragments and pushed into the surrounding soil as the new pipe goes in. The new line is typically seamless HDPE, which is flexible, corrosion-resistant, and has heat-fused joints—no gaskets or couplings every few feet that can leak later.

Common Projects Where We Use Pipe Bursting

We use pipe bursting on both private and public underground utilities. Typical situations include:

• Replacing failing residential sewer laterals running under driveways or mature landscaping
• Upgrading small-diameter lines to larger capacity without expanding the trench footprint
• Replacing brittle clay, cast iron, or thin-wall plastic sewer lines
• Renewing shallow mains or laterals in tight commercial courtyards and alleys
• Minimizing downtime at active facilities where open trenching would block access

How the Process Works on Your Site

Every job starts with cleaning and CCTV inspection so we understand alignment, connections, and any severe sags or offsets. We also coordinate utility locates to protect nearby underground utilities.

Our crews then set up compact equipment and dig access pits—often using a mini excavator like a John Deere 35P when space is tight. We insert the bursting rods, attach the bursting head and new pipe string, then use a hydraulic puller to steadily draw the head through the old line.

Once the new pipe is in place, we reconnect to your building or manhole, test the line, and backfill and compact the pits. Most residential replacements are completed in one to two working days, depending on length, depth, and access.

What to Know Before Starting

Not every line is a good candidate for pipe bursting. Severe collapses, very sharp bends, or unknown connections can affect feasibility. That’s why inspection and upfront planning matter.

Costs depend on pipe diameter, length, depth, surface restoration, and site access. To help with early budgeting, we’ve outlined typical factors that affect the cost of pipe bursting projects so you know what drives pricing.

Experienced vs. Inexperienced Pipe Bursting Contractors

Pipe bursting is specialized trenchless work. Inexperienced crews may misjudge soil conditions, pull too fast, or overlook services that cross the alignment, leading to broken utilities or a damaged new pipe.

At DEVCO, our background is in underground utilities and civil construction. We’re a DVBE (Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise) as well as certified SDVOSB, PDBE, SB-Micro, and SB-PW, which reflects our track record on public and private infrastructure projects across the region.

Common Customer Questions

Will pipe bursting tear up my yard or parking lot?

There will be some disturbance where we place the entry and exit pits, and for any tie-ins. However, most of the surface between those points stays intact. Compared to open trench replacement, pipe bursting usually means far less demolition and restoration work.

How long does pipe bursting take?

For a typical residential lateral, we often complete the main bursting and replacement in one day, with restoration taking another day or so. Larger commercial or municipal lines can take several days, but they’re still usually faster and cleaner than full trench excavation.

Talk Through Your Tempe Pipe Bursting Project

If you’re dealing with recurring backups, root intrusion, or a failing cast iron sewer, we’re happy to review whether pipe bursting is the right fix. Call DEVCO Development and Engineering at (951) 221-3633 or email info@devco-inc.com to discuss your Tempe or wider Maricopa County project and request a detailed proposal.