Trenchless Pipe Misalignment Repair Saves Busy Chicago Restaurant
Summary
Problem: Severe joint offset under the city sidewalk causing repeat sewage backups and shutdown risk. Solution: Trenchless realignment + full-length CIPP liner from building to city main — no sidewalk excavation.
The Problem
Komorebi Sushi, a very popular restaurant on North Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago, was dealing with a serious and urgent sewer issue. A major pipe joint misalignment (approximately 50%) was located about 10 feet deep beneath the city sidewalk, directly in front of the restaurant’s main entrance. The restriction caused frequent sewage backups, putting the restaurant at risk of an immediate shutdown.
Complicating matters, the restaurant sits on a busy corner with traffic control devices, city utilities, and other underground infrastructure packed tightly into the sidewalk area. A traditional open-cut excavation would have required tearing up the city sidewalk, blocking the front door, managing traffic control, and navigating numerous utilities — all at an extremely high cost.
The Trenchless Solution
The property manager contacted American Trenchless Technologies. Mark Carpenter evaluated the situation and recommended the ideal solution: Trenchless Pipe Misalignment Repair.
Instead of excavating the city sidewalk, the crew accessed the sewer line from a small excavation inside the basement at the front foundation wall. Using specialized trenchless tools, the team precisely re-aligned the offset joint, restored proper flow, and eliminated the cause of repeated backups. To complete a permanent repair, the entire sewer line was relined from inside the building all the way to the city main sewer connection with a full-length Cured-in-Place.
Why excavation was a problem:
- Busy corner with traffic control devices
- Dense city utilities and underground infrastructure
- Sidewalk removal would block the front entrance
- Traffic control + restoration adds major cost
Project Photos
prior to repair.
sidewalk excavation).
The Result
The entire sewer line was relined from inside the building all the way to the city main sewer connection, delivering a permanent, full-length structural repair — without digging up the sidewalk, blocking the entrance, or disrupting traffic, neighbors, or nearby businesses.
American Trenchless Technologies saved the restaurant from closure and delivered a long-term solution with minimal impact on the neighborhood.
When sewer problems threaten your business, disruption isn’t your only option. Call American Trenchless Technologies — you’ll be glad you did.