Pipe bursting involves the replacement of an existing pipe with a new PE pipe of the same or a larger diameter. Pipe bursting can be used for renewal of practically all types of pipelines.

A bursting head is pressed through the defect pipeline that is crushed and replaced by a new PE pipe. The advantage of this is that normally the diameter can be increased by at least one dimension which also increases the capacity of the pipe stretch in question.

The renewal is commenced by excavating at the launch and exit points. All laterals, valves and the like are excavated, disconnected and exposed.

When all excavations are finished and the points of junction have been exposed, the fuse-joined PE pipe is drawn into the existing pipeline. A bursting head with a pneumatic burster inside is mounted at the front of the pipe, which creates the dynamic impact.

Subsequently, all connections are made, and the excavations restored.