What 1,000,000 Linear Feet of Pipe Restoration
Experience Reveals About Infrastructure Decisions

When contractors face failing underground infrastructure, decisions made in the diagnostic phase determine project success. We spoke with David Rudisill, President of Pipe Restoration Solutions, a company that has restored over 1,000,000 linear feet (189 miles) of piping across residential, commercial, and multi-story systems, about how construction professionals can make better infrastructure rehabilitation decisions. 

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Q1: David, at 1,000,000 linear feet of completed pipe restoration, what’s the most common mistake you see contractors and property owners making? 

David Rudisill: The biggest mistake is committing to a solution before completing proper diagnostics. Most people call a plumber when a pipe fails, and that plumber recommends whatever methodology they know; excavation contractors suggest excavation, trenchless specialists suggest relining. But the right approach is: diagnose first, then choose methodology 

based on what the pipe system actually needs. 

After restoring over 1,000,000 linear feet across many different building types, the pattern is clear: most pipe failures exist on a spectrum. Complete collapses require excavation and replacement, while deterioration from root intrusion, corrosion, or joint separation is usually ideal for trenchless rehabilitation. The vast majority fall somewhere in between, where the optimal solution depends on access, occupancy, surface conditions, and total project economics.

When excavation contractors like Kitching & Co are managing site development projects, clear pipeline diagnostics upfront help prevent mid-project surprises and protect construction timelines. Video inspection, cleaning, and structural assessment are the foundation of intelligent infrastructure decisions. 

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Q2: How should contractors think about the relationship between traditional excavation and specialized pipe restoration? 

David Rudisill: They’re complementary, not competing disciplines. Excavation specialists handle new construction, major utility installation, and sitework where the surface is already being disturbed. Specialized restoration addresses existing infrastructure that needs rehabilitation without surface disruption. 

Consider a commercial renovation where the developer is reconstructing a parking lot. If underground sewer lines run beneath areas being excavated anyway, replacing them as part of the broader construction scope often makes sense. But if deteriorated pipes run under buildings or areas that won’t be disturbed, trenchless restoration rehabilitates them without expanding excavation scope. 

The most successful projects assemble the right specialists for each phase. The excavation partner handles sitework and new utilities. The restoration specialist addresses existing pipe failures where excavation would add unnecessary cost and disruption. Our experience across 1,000,000 linear feet of piping in residential, commercial, and multi-story buildings has shown that collaboration between excavation contractors and restoration specialists early in project planning produces the best outcomes. 

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Q3: Why does experience volume matter when selecting a pipe restoration contractor? 

David Rudisill: Because pipe restoration becomes complex in real world conditions, and that’s where experience separates proven contractors from those still learning on your project. A recent example: we were relining a commercial sewer line with root intrusion. During cleaning, we discovered a section with a significant offset from previous repairs. A less experienced contractor might recommend full excavation, but our experience means we’ve encountered this exact scenario repeatedly. We used a hybrid approach; minimal access excavation to correct the offset, then relined the remaining pipe system. Total disruption: one small access point instead of extensive excavation along the entire run. 

That kind of problem-solving capability comes directly from real project experience. When you’ve worked in high-rises, hospitals, industrial facilities, municipalities, and everything in between, you’ve encountered every complication and developed solutions. Generic “trenchless

capability” claims mean little without documented project history across diverse building types and pipe system conditions. 

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Q4: What diagnostic standards should contractors require before making rehabilitation decisions? 

David Rudisill: Diagnostic quality determines decision quality. The standard should include comprehensive video inspection with documented footage you can review yourself, not just verbal summaries. Pipes should also be properly cleaned before final assessment, whether 

through hydrojetting or mechanical cleaning, because many pipes that appear deteriorated are structurally sound once debris, roots, and buildup are removed. Contractors should also require a structural integrity evaluation to determine whether the pipe can be restored in place or requires replacement, along with system configuration analysis to identify the root cause of failure. 

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Q5: What should the construction industry be preparing for regarding infrastructure rehabilitation? 

David Rudisill: Several trends are converging. Aging infrastructure installed between the 1950s-1980s is reaching end-of-life across all sectors. More facilities can’t afford operational shutdowns; hotels, hospitals, manufacturing environments need solutions that work around occupancy. Regulatory pressure around excavation permits and restoration requirements is intensifying. And total project cost awareness is improving as owners calculate surface restoration, business interruption, and timeline impacts. 

For contractors and the developers they serve, the opportunity is understanding that infrastructure rehabilitation now requires specialized partners. Excavation capability is essential for sitework and new installation, while specialized restoration expertise is needed to rehabilitate existing infrastructure without expanding the scope of excavation. The most successful projects will be those where the right specialist handles each aspect. 

Infrastructure rehabilitation has become a distinct specialty requiring specific equipment, methodology, and documented experience. Choosing the right partner for each project phase ultimately determines project success. 

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Kitching & Co provides turnkey excavation, grading, and underground utility infrastructure serving North Texas contractors, developers, and municipalities. Learn more at kitchingco.com.

Pipe Restoration Solutions has restored over 1,000,000 linear feet (189 miles) of piping across residential, commercial, and multi-story systems. For more information visit piperestorationsolutions.com.