Trenchless replacement

Trenchless Pipe Bursting in Duluth, MN

Replace your sewer line without destroying your Duluth yard.

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No commitment · Same-week availability · Serving Duluth & region

500+ homesServed in the Duluth region
10+ yearsIn the Duluth industry
5 StarGoogle rating · 56 reviews
The offer

Trenchless Pipe Bursting in Duluth, MN

When a sewer line is collapsed, severely deteriorated, or otherwise unsuitable for lining, trenchless pipe bursting is often the preferred solution.

The project begins with locating the sewer connection at the city main and excavating an access point. Inside the home, access is created where the sewer exits the foundation.

A hydraulic bursting unit is installed and a cable is run through the existing pipe. A specialized bursting head is attached to the cable along with a new HDPE sewer pipe that has been fusion-welded into one continuous section.

As the bursting unit pulls the assembly through the existing pipe, the bursting head fractures the old pipe outward while simultaneously installing the new HDPE sewer line in its place. The new pipe is then connected to the house and the city sewer system.

After installation, the area is backfilled, surfaces are restored, a new cleanout is installed, and a final camera inspection is completed. This process allows for complete sewer replacement while greatly reducing the amount of excavation required.

The pipe bursting process
  • Access points at city main and foundation only, no open trench
  • Hydraulic bursting unit pulls assembly through the existing line
  • Bursting head fractures old pipe outward into surrounding soil
  • New HDPE sewer line is fusion-welded into one continuous section
  • New pipe connected to house and city sewer system
  • Area backfilled, surfaces restored, new cleanout installed, final camera completed
Excavation for pipe bursting project
Pricing

Transparent. Up front.

Final pricing depends on line length, pipe material, and access. We confirm everything before any work begins.

Most residential projects$12,000 to $20,000+
Free consultation and estimateAlways
Get my free estimate → Call +1 218-453-4073
Know your pipe

Common pipe types in Duluth-area homes.

When our camera goes in the ground, we usually know what we're going to find before we see it. There's a lot of history in these pipes.

Clay tile sewer pipe Duluth MN
Clay tile
Pre-1950s homes · joints separate over time · root intrusion common · very repairable with lining
Cast iron sewer pipe Duluth MN
Cast iron
1940s–1970s · corrodes over decades · scale buildup reduces flow · good candidate for lining or bursting
Orangeburg pipe failing Duluth MN
Orangeburg ⚠
1950s–1970s · paper-based · actively failing in thousands of Duluth basements · requires replacement
PVC sewer pipe newer homes Duluth MN
PVC (newer homes)
Improper joint adhesion at install · mis-graded runs · common in homes under 20 years · often point-repairable
Contour trenchless sewer repair Duluth MN
Digging Less. Solving More. Duluth, MN · Founded 2021
30–40% Skip the trench, landscaping and hassle
No concrete work

Driveways and sidewalks stay completely untouched.

Minimal landscaping

Turf, gardens, irrigation, and trees left intact.

No scheduling timelines

Most trenchless repairs are wrapped in a single day.

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Common questions

Frequently asked questions

What is trenchless pipe bursting?

A bursting head is pulled through the old pipe, fragmenting it outward into the surrounding soil while pulling a new HDPE pipe through the same path. You get a brand new full-diameter sewer line with only small access pits at each end.

When do you use pipe bursting instead of lining?

Bursting is used when lining is not the right fit. That means a collapsed pipe, severe belly or sag, severely deformed Orangeburg pipe, or a situation where excavation at the street main is required anyway. Bursting is not better than lining. It is right for different situations.

How much excavation is needed for pipe bursting?

Small access pits at the entry and exit points of the run only. No open trench across the yard.

How long does pipe bursting take?

Most residential pipe bursting jobs in Duluth are completed in a single day including backfill and cleanup.

How much does pipe bursting cost in Duluth, MN?

Most residential projects range from $12,000 to $20,000 or more depending on line length and site conditions. Free consultation and estimate always included.

What people say

Duluth homeowners who thought their yard was gone.

The thing people say most: they couldn't tell we were ever there.

Contour Inc place picture
5.0
Based on 55 reviews
powered by Google
Bonnie Summers profile picture
Bonnie Summers
1 month ago
Great crew, very professional work, five 🌟 they're there when they say they're going to be there. no excuses, anything goes wrong they fix it. customer service is five star. I would call them to get the job done. I highly recommend them. Had my sewer line replaced. Everything went smoothly. Loved working with this crew/company. They made an ugly situation beautiful once again.
Jill Thunder profile picture
Jill Thunder
2 months ago
Contour was very accommodating with all the home owners insurance issues I had to sort out. They repaired my main sewer pipe (had several cracks in it) with a 50 year warranty liner. Contour's quote was half of ASP as they found a closer access point to the front of the house and inspected all my home pipes determining they were fine and did not need lining. They save people a lot of money by only lining the sq foot of pipes that need it. The crew were very polite and professional. Would definitely recommend and hire them in the future for other services.
Rod Barber profile picture
Rod Barber
2 months ago
Contour Inc. Was able to fix my sewer in a very timely manner so we could sell our house. They dug it up even in February! Very nice to deal with them.
Patrick Heaslip profile picture
Patrick Heaslip
3 months ago
From my initial conversation with Jason to my sewerlining appoint with Troy and his crew, Contour was 5 stars across the board. Everyone I spoke to was professional, knowledgeable, and patient throughout the process. They made it easy in addition to quoting a reasonable price. I would highly recommend anyone in the market for a sewerlining to consider their services.
Adam Osterlund profile picture
Adam Osterlund
5 months ago
Contour came out and was willing to work with us on a solution that would fix a leak in a very difficult water main leak. They worked quickly, professionally, and cleanly.

They were able to complete the work faster than expected, and did a great job. We really appreciate their flexibility and ability to get the job done!
Leah Holliday profile picture
Leah Holliday
5 months ago
I needed my main sewer line lined. Contour was super helpful and was able to make it work within my budget. Very prompt, professional and got the work completed that same day. Highly recommend 5 stars to this company!!
Sara K profile picture
Sara K
10 months ago
Contour is the best! Everyone treats you like an equal human and they are super knowledgeable at what they do. Brian and Co. were kind and honest from the start and very responsive. Everything was done very well and efficiently. They even came back to check on the project and touch up the blacktop they needed to patch in the alley after the job was completed. (Sewer line repair) Really appreciate you! I look forward to working with you again soon, just hopefully on an elective project and not an emergency. ;)
Charlie Bouschor profile picture
Charlie Bouschor
12 months ago
This is a very professional company. Not only did they actually return my request for a quote, they did it rapidly. The inspection was very thorough and was easily done. The quote was very fair, and the installation was amazing! The day of install we made room for their work, and when they left, it was cleaner than when we moved all our stuff! The workers communicated with us during the install, there was never a question about anything. Work was professional, and the out come is a sewar line I won't have to worry about again!

Thanks Contour!
Nadine Uremovich profile picture
Nadine Uremovich
2 years ago
Highly recommended! "Wow!" is the only way to describe Contour. Their crew is honest, knowledgeable, considerate, and dependable. They replaced our sewer and water line in one day. They were meticulous with clean up, too. Great people and a great company!
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Where we work

Serving Duluth and the Twin Ports.

Based in Duluth at 4958 Rice Lake Rd. We service homes and businesses across Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. Enter your address to see how quickly we can be there.

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Cities we serve
Duluth, MN ★HQ Hermantown10 min Proctor15 min Superior, WI20 min Cloquet25 min
Esko22 min
Two Harbors30 min
Knife River25 min
Silver Bay55 min
Hibbing1h 15m
Virginia1h 10m
Ashland, WI1h 25m

Travel times are typical and vary with traffic and weather. For service outside this list, please call.

Equipment partners

Don't tear up your yard until you've talked to us.

A camera inspection takes 30 minutes and tells you exactly what's wrong and what every option costs. Most people are relieved by that conversation.

No commitment · Same-week availability · Serving Duluth and the surrounding region