Get a Free Trenchless Quote in Palo Alto
Palo Alto has always been a place where innovation happens first. From Hewlett-Packard’s founding in an Addison Avenue garage to research labs at Stanford that shape global technology, Palo Alto has earned its reputation as the birthplace of Silicon Valley. That commitment to innovation informs how we approach the essential systems beneath your property.
TrenchFree brings the same forward-thinking approach to water line replacement in Palo Alto that has defined this community. Our trenchless technology represents a significant advancement over traditional excavation methods—delivering faster, cleaner results while protecting the landscapes that make Palo Alto neighborhoods distinctive.
Older Palo Alto neighborhoods like Professorville, Old Palo Alto and Crescent Park feature homes with mature heritage trees, established gardens and meticulously maintained landscape designs that represent decades of investment. Traditional water line replacement or sewer line repair would require trenching through these landscapes, severing root systems and demolishing hardscape features in the process.
TrenchFree’s trenchless water line replacement saves Palo Alto homeowners this destruction. Using horizontal directional drilling and pipe bursting technology, we install new water lines beneath your property with minimal surface disruption—typically just small entry and exit pits. Your redwoods, oaks and specimen plantings remain undisturbed. Your brick pathways and stone patios stay intact.
Our water line services include:
Water line replacement for aging or corroded pipes, new water line installation for home additions and ADUs, water line repair for leaks and localized damage and water main upgrades to improve flow and pressure. Whether you’re replacing a failing galvanized line or installing new service for a guest house, our trenchless methods protect your property throughout the process.
Common signs you need water line service:
Unexplained increases in your water bill, reduced water pressure throughout the house, discolored water, soggy spots in the yard when it hasn’t rained and recurring leaks are all indicators that your water main may be failing. Palo Alto homes built before 1970 often have galvanized steel or cast iron water lines that deteriorate over time and benefit from replacement with modern materials.
Palo Alto’s older housing stock means many properties rely on original clay or cast iron sewer lines that have reached the end of their service life. Tree root intrusion, pipe deterioration and ground shifting cause backups and slow drains that only worsen over time. Traditional sewer main replacement would devastate the established landscapes that define Palo Alto’s most desirable neighborhoods.
TrenchFree provides trenchless sewer line installation and sewer main replacement throughout Palo Alto using methods that preserve your property’s surface. Pipe bursting pulls new high-density polyethylene pipe through the path of the old line while fragmenting the damaged pipe outward—no open trench required. CIPP lining creates a new pipe within the existing pipe, ideal for lines with localized damage or root intrusion.
Sewer services we provide:
Complete sewer main replacement for failing lines, new sewer line installation for additions and ADUs, sewer line repair using spot lining and sectional techniques and sewer camera inspection to diagnose problems accurately before recommending solutions. For properties connecting to Palo Alto’s municipal sewer system, we handle the entire underground portion of the project.
When to consider sewer replacement:
Recurring backups, multiple drain cleaning calls per year, sewage odors in the yard, patches of unusually green grass and visible sinkholes near the sewer path all suggest significant sewer line problems. Video inspection can confirm the condition of your line and help determine whether repair or full replacement makes the most sense.
Beyond water line replacement and sewer main replacement, TrenchFree provides full service plumbing in Palo Alto for all underground systems. Our comprehensive approach means you work with a single contractor who understands the complete picture of your property’s underground infrastructure.
Our Palo Alto plumbing services include:
Trenchless sewer line repair and replacement using pipe bursting and CIPP lining, water line installation and water line repair for residential and commercial properties, gas line installation and replacement (we’re PG&E OQ-qualified) and new utility installations for ADUs and home additions.
For homeowners adding accessory dwelling units—increasingly common in Palo Alto as the city works to address housing needs—we provide complete underground utility connections without trenching through established yards.
Modern Palo Alto homes require robust infrastructure for electrical service upgrades, EV charger installations, home offices and high-speed connectivity. TrenchFree’s trenchless conduit installation delivers underground electric service and communication lines without surface excavation.
Conduit applications we handle:
Underground electric service conduit for panel upgrades and increased capacity, EV charger conduit runs from panel to garage or driveway, fiber optic and communication lines for home offices and smart home systems, low-voltage conduit for landscape lighting, security systems and audio and data conduit connecting main homes to guesthouses, pool houses and ADUs.
Palo Alto’s tech-forward residents increasingly need infrastructure that supports demanding electrical loads and high-bandwidth connectivity. Our horizontal directional drilling places conduit precisely where it’s needed—under driveways, beneath patios, through landscaped areas—without disturbing the surface.
Important note: TrenchFree installs conduit only for PG&E electrical projects. Wire installation must be completed by PG&E or a licensed electrical contractor. We do offer complete electrical services for private residential and commercial connections not involving PG&E.
When plumbing problems occur beneath your property, the repair method matters as much as the repair itself. Traditional excavation for plumbing repair in Palo Alto can cost tens of thousands of dollars in landscape restoration alone—and some damage, particularly to mature trees, cannot be undone at any price.
TrenchFree’s trenchless plumbing repair methods address the problem directly while preserving what makes your property valuable. We use video camera inspection to diagnose issues precisely, then apply the most appropriate no-dig repair technique for your specific situation.
Repair methods we use:
Pipe lining applies a resin-saturated liner inside existing pipes, creating a new pipe within the old one. Pipe bursting pulls new pipe through the path of the old while fragmenting the damaged pipe outward. Spot repairs address localized damage without replacing the entire line. Each method has specific applications, and we recommend the approach that makes the most sense for your property and budget.
Palo Alto residents understand that better technology produces better results. The trenchless methods TrenchFree has pioneered for the region represent a genuine advancement in how underground utility work gets done—not just faster and less disruptive, but more precise and longer-lasting.
Our crews use GPS-guided drilling equipment to navigate beneath properties with accuracy measured in inches. Real-time locating systems help us avoid existing utilities and irrigation lines. Video inspection before and after work provides documentation of conditions and confirms proper installation.
This technology-forward approach aligns with what Palo Alto homeowners expect: sophisticated solutions that respect both their property and their time.
TrenchFree provides trenchless utility services throughout Palo Alto, including:
Old Palo Alto, Professorville, Crescent Park, Community Center, Downtown North, Duveneck/St. Francis, College Terrace, Barron Park, Green Acres, Midtown, South of Midtown, Palo Verde, Charleston Gardens, Greenmeadow and Fairmeadow.
Whether you own a historic Professorville home with irreplaceable landscaping or a midcentury property in Greenmeadow, our trenchless methods deliver the same benefit: new or repaired underground utilities without sacrificing your yard.
If you’re dealing with water line problems, sewer issues, gas line concerns or any underground utility need in Palo Alto, TrenchFree provides the advanced, landscape-preserving solutions you deserve. We offer free on-site estimates and can often provide same-week appointments.
Call 408.726.7926 or contact us online to discuss your project.
Trenchless methods reduce disruption by avoiding full-length trenches—ideal for properties with mature landscaping, hardscape, and limited access.
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