When a sewer line fails under a busy commercial property, the repercussions extend far beyond the repair itself—lost revenue, customer complaints, and operational chaos can quickly mount. For Apex Auto Repair, a bustling shop in Phoenix, Arizona, a failing clay sewer pipe threatened to derail their business, with repair estimates climbing as high as $30,000. Yet in April 2025, they turned the tide by opting for trenchless sewer repair, slashing their costs by 50% and reopening in mere days. Here’s how this innovative choice saved the day, minimized downtime, and preserved their reputation.

The Sewer Snafu: A Business at Risk

Apex Auto Repair’s troubles began in March 2025 when sewage backed up into their service bays. For a business that thrives on quick oil changes and seamless customer service, the stench and disruption spelled disaster. “We were losing $2,000 a day in revenue,” says Dan Morales, the shop’s owner. “Our employees couldn’t work, and our customers wouldn’t stick around long enough to.”
The source of the issue was a crumbling 40-year-old clay sewer pipe, buried 20 feet under the parking lot. A combination of tree root intrusions and decades of wear had caused extensive cracking and blockages. Traditional repair estimates came in at $25,000–$30,000, including digging up asphalt, replacing the pipe, and fully repaving the parking area. Worse, the repair would require the shop to shut down for at least a week.
Sewer failures like this are not uncommon. The National Association of Sewer Service Companies reports that 60% of commercial sewer backups stem from aging clay pipes, costing U.S. businesses an estimated $2 billion annually. For Apex, every lost day meant eroding their Google rating, frustrating loyal customers, and watching revenue slip through their fingers.

Trenchless Tech: A 50% Game-Changer

Faced with sky-high repair quotes and an uncertain timeline, Dan began exploring alternatives. That’s when trenchless sewer repair came onto the radar. Specifically, a technique called cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining offered a less invasive solution that would save money and time.
Here’s how it worked:
Day One: A $300 video inspection revealed the extent of the damage and confirmed that trenchless repair was viable.
Day Two: Crews cleaned the pipe and inserted a resin-coated sleeve into the damaged line.
Day Three: The resin cured in place, forming a seamless, durable tube within the existing pipe. Final testing confirmed the repair’s success.
Total cost? $14,500.
Traditional repairs would have torn up the parking lot and required repaving, but trenchless methods avoided excavation entirely. “I thought they’d have to rip everything apart,” Dan recalls. “Instead, they barely touched the pavement.”
Trenchless technology’s efficiency is backed by industry data. The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association reports that CIPP lining reduces repair costs by 40–60% and shortens repair timelines by 70%. For Apex, the savings and speed were game-changing.

The Savings: $15,000 and a Quick Rebound

The financial and operational benefits of trenchless repair were clear. Here’s how the numbers stacked up:
Category
Traditional Repair
Trenchless Repair
Repair Cost
$30,000
$14,500
Downtime (Days)
7–10
3
Revenue Lost
$14,000–$20,000
$6,000
Total Cost
$44,000–$50,000
$20,500
Net Savings: $15,000 upfront, plus $8,000–$14,000 in preserved revenue. Beyond the financials, Apex also avoided the hassle of reconfiguring their lot and disappointing customers during extended closures.
Following the repair, Apex’s sewer system was back in action—and built to last. CIPP repairs have a lifespan comparable to entirely new pipes, offering 50+ years of reliable service without the mess of traditional methods.

Why Trenchless Won: Business Smarts

Apex Auto Repair’s decision to choose trenchless repair offers a valuable lesson in navigating costly repairs:

1. Minimized Downtime:
   The U.S. Small Business Administration reports that a week-long closure can cost businesses 20% of their monthly revenue. By opting for trenchless repair, Apex was offline for just three days—a far cry from the 7–10 days required for traditional excavation.
2. Preserved Property:
   Digging up the parking lot would have added $5,000–$10,000 in landscaping and restoration costs, according to Angi. Trenchless methods left Apex’s lot intact, sparing them this extra expense.
3. Cost Beats Cure:
   Proactive solutions save money. At $14,500, the trenchless repair cost significantly less than the $30,000 traditional alternative. According to the National Association of Home Builders, proactive plumbing fixes save businesses an average of $4,200 annually in maintenance costs.

Back in Business, Better Than Ever

By day four, Apex Auto Repair was back to business as usual, with employees servicing cars and customers none the wiser about the three-day sewer drama. Dan Morales couldn’t be happier. “I’d have paid double for traditional repairs and gotten less in return,” he says.
Javier, the lead technician on the job, sees trenchless repair as the future of plumbing: “Same fix, half the headache. It’s a win-win for businesses and homeowners alike.”

Innovation Meets Savings

From a $30,000 problem to a $15,000 solution, Apex Auto Repair’s choice of trenchless sewer repair highlights the advantages of innovative technology in the face of costly challenges. Faster, cheaper, and less disruptive, trenchless methods are a lifeline for businesses navigating high-stakes plumbing emergencies.
If your sewer line falters, consider skipping the shovel. With trenchless repair, you can save time, money, and stress—just like Apex did. The future of plumbing is here, and it’s trenchless.