๐ฅ Watch the full video below to see how we replaced drain tile underneath concrete steps without breaking them.
In this Burnaby project, the homeowner had already begun replacing his own aging perimeter drain tile system. However, when he reached the front entrance of the home, he ran into a major obstacle โ large poured concrete steps directly against the foundation.
Breaking and rebuilding those steps would have required significant demolition, restoration, and expense.
Instead, we used the trenchless pipe bursting method to replace the drain tile underneath the steps โ saving the homeowner an estimated $15,000+ in labour and concrete restoration costs.
Project Overview
Location: Burnaby, BC
Service: Trenchless Drain Tile Replacement
Method: Pipe Bursting
Section Replaced: ~10 Feet
Pipe Installed: HDPE
Depth of Drain Tile: ~2 Feet Below Grade
Time to Complete: 3 Hours
The Situation: DIY Drain Tile Replacement
The homeowner was proactively replacing his perimeter drain tile system due to age.
The existing drain tile was:
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Over 50 years old
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Made of concrete
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At end-of-life condition
He had already excavated most of the perimeter himself.
The only section left?
The drain tile running directly beneath the front concrete steps.
The Challenge: Poured Concrete Steps at the Front Entrance
The drain tile ran under large poured concrete steps that were:
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Directly against the foundation
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Approximately 5 feet higher than the pipe location
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Structurally tied into the entrance
To remove them would have required:
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Jackhammering and demolition
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Hauling away broken concrete
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Rebuilding the entire step structure
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Additional labour and restoration time
Estimated cost to demolish and rebuild: $15,000+
For just 10 feet of drain tile, that level of destruction made no sense.
The Solution: Trenchless Pipe Bursting Under the Steps
Instead of breaking the steps, we used the pipe bursting method to replace the section of drain tile underneath them.
Because the homeowner had already excavated both sides of the steps, we were able to:
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Prepare the existing pipe for bursting
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Burst the old concrete drain tile underground
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Pull in new HDPE pipe
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Complete the entire section without disturbing the steps
No demolition.
No jackhammering.
No rebuilding.
How the Work Was Completed
Step 1: Accessed exposed drain tile on both sides of the steps
Step 2: Set up pipe bursting equipment
Step 3: Burst the old concrete tile
Step 4: Pulled in new HDPE pipe beneath the steps
Step 5: Confirmed proper alignment and flow
Total time required: Approximately 3 hours.
Compared to 1โ2 days of demolition and rebuilding โ this was a major time and cost savings.
The Result
โ 10 feet of drain tile replaced
โ No concrete demolition
โ No structural rebuilding
โ ~$15,000+ in avoided restoration costs
โ Permanent HDPE solution
The homeowner was impressed that trenchless pipe bursting could even be used for drain tile applications.
This is a method most contractors donโt offer โ or donโt even consider.
Why Homeowners Should Know About Trenchless Drain Tile Replacement
Many older homes in Burnaby still have original concrete perimeter drain tile systems that are now 40โ60 years old.
When those systems are replaced, obstacles like:
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Concrete steps
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Patios
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Driveways
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Walkways
Often make the project far more expensive than necessary.
In certain situations, trenchless pipe bursting can eliminate the need for major demolition and save thousands in restoration.
Need Drain Tile Replacement?
If youโre replacing your perimeter drain tile system and run into concrete or structural obstacles, trenchless may be an option.
At Your Guy Drainage, we specialize in advanced trenchless solutions for both sewer lines and drain tile systems throughout Burnaby and the Lower Mainland.
Contact us to find out if trenchless is the right solution for your property.