Have you ever wished you could have your plumbing installed, maintained, or repaired without being inconvenienced? That’s where underground tunneling for plumbing comes in! If you’ve never heard of it, you’re not alone, but it could be just the solution you need.
At Goodbee Plumbing, we’ve spent over 25 years helping business owners and homeowners protect their properties while getting the plumbing repairs they need. Join us for an overview on underground tunneling to help you decide if it’s right for you.
What Is Underground Tunneling?
In plumbing, underground tunneling is a type of trenchless tunneling. That means plumbers can get to your underground pipes without needing to dig huge trenches all over your property. We can repair or replace pipes working almost entirely underground, leaving more of your land undisturbed.
Of course, we still require entry and exit points to get underground. Think of it like a minimally invasive surgery—we make small access points just big enough to give our instruments access instead of making large open incisions.
As you can imagine, the biggest benefit is maintaining your pristine landscaping, driveway, parking lot, and other outdoor features as much as possible. The biggest downside is that it tends to be more expensive than traditional trenching.
When weighing the pros and cons, keep in mind that trenching can incur additional costs needed to restore your property where it was dug up. Also, for businesses in particular, trenching may require you to partially or fully close your premises. The resulting loss of productivity or profitability could warrant the cost of underground tunneling.
Common Reasons for Underground Tunneling
If you’re trying to decide whether or not to use underground tunneling for plumbing, it can help to see when other customers opt for this solution. In our experience, customers most often turn to underground tunneling in situations like these:
- To perform sewer line repairs or replacements when the lines run beneath permanent structures that cannot be torn up
- To complete water main installations that need to go beneath driveways or patios
- To do gas line work that requires minimal surface disruption
- To perform root removal from deep underground pipes
- To do pipeline repairs under expensive landscaping features
- To access utilities under major structures like garages or pools
Your geographical location can also make a difference. In Louisiana where we’re based, for example, the soil tends to be rich in clay that can make traditional trenching especially disruptive. Tunneling underground to perform plumbing services reduces our need to disturb the soil, leading to less disruption for customers.
The Underground Tunneling Process
Knowing what to expect can also help you decide if you’re going to choose underground tunneling for your plumbing needs. Here’s what the process usually looks like before, during, and after tunneling.
Before Tunneling
First, it is important for the plumbing experts to conduct a thorough inspection of your property. An initial inspection is crucial for planning a successful plumbing service. This includes:
- Inspecting your existing pipes with a video camera
- Confirming the location of utility lines and marking where they are
- Analyzing the soil to determine the best tunneling approach
- Identifying the best access points for minimal property impact
- Getting all necessary permits and approvals
During Tunneling
There are a few main steps that take place during tunneling:
- First, on-site professionals establish safety protocols and support systems to prevent the ground from settling. These should be used throughout the process.
- Tunneling begins by making small access points at the start and end of the area in need of repair or replacement. These should already be identified beforehand.
- Experts carefully tunnel between the access points. The goal is to make a passage that is just large enough to be able to reach the damaged pipes and fix or replace them.
The timeline for an underground tunneling project will depend on a number of factors, including the repairs needed, the location of the work, and the soil conditions. Smaller projects may take a matter of days, while mid-sized projects could take weeks and larger projects could take a month. At Goodbee Plumbing, we provide customers with an estimated time frame before work begins.
After Tunneling
After the plumbing work is completed, the tunnel is filled back in with the soil that had been removed previously. Then the entry points are sealed or patched if needed. The plumbers may also run water through the plumbing lines to ensure everything is working properly.
How Much Does Underground Tunneling Cost?
At this point, cost becomes the deciding factor for many business owners and homeowners. Is the convenience of underground tunneling worth the cost? How much would tunneling save you by avoiding damage to your property or disruption of your business?
Of course, the answers to these questions will depend on your exact circumstances. In general, underground tunneling usually costs between $150–$500 per foot if you’re looking for a quick estimate. But it’s important to also take into account other factors that can affect the cost, such as:
- The depth of the pipe that needs to be worked on
- The type of repair or replacement required
- The length of tunnel needed for the job
- The location of the access points
- The soil conditions on the property
- Any permits or approvals required for the job
Tunneling under a concrete foundation might cost you more than tunneling under a garden, for example, due to the greater safety measurements required. The best way to get an accurate estimate is to contact a plumber about the work you need.
Call Goodbee for Local Louisiana Plumbing
As a family-owned business serving St. Tammany Parish and the greater New Orleans area, we understand how important your property is to you. That’s why we take extra care to protect your landscaping and structures while still fixing your plumbing problems effectively.
Need underground plumbing work? Give us a buzz at 985-893-1883. We can help whether you choose traditional trenching or underground tunneling for your plumbing, and we always provide estimates for our work. Our expert team serves Mandeville, Metairie, Hammond, Ponchatoula, New Orleans, and surrounding areas with reliable, cost-effective plumbing solutions.
Remember, when it comes to underground plumbing repairs, choosing the right method and the right plumber makes all the difference. Trust Goodbee Plumbing to take care of your home like it’s our own.