★ Memphis, Tennessee

Trenchless Pipe Pulling
For Memphis Plumbers.

The PF-12 trenchless pipe pulling system lets Memphis plumbing contractors replace water service lines from two small access points, with no continuous trench and no restoration bill. Built in Tennessee by working plumbers. $12,995 + freight.

★ The Market

Why Memphis needs a better way to replace water lines

64% of the homes in Memphis were built before 1980, and the median home was built in 1971 (U.S. Census, ACS 2024). Service lines that age are reaching the end of their life, and every one that fails is a replacement job.

MLGW's CEO told the City Council in March 2026 that about 15,000 utility-side lead lines remain, with full removal targeted by 2037. MLGW is replacing private-side lines with a $5M ARPA grant (about $11,165 per line) and plans $10M a year in state revolving fund money for 2027–2031.

MLGW replaces both lead and galvanized steel lines on the utility side, and switched its public-side replacement pipe from copper to PEX in 2023.

Traditionally, each of those jobs means trenching from the meter to the house and paying for lawn, driveway, and irrigation restoration. The PF-12 lets Memphis contractors pull the new line through the old path instead.

★ The Ground

What you dig through in Memphis

Memphis uplands carry 15–45 feet of loess (silt and clay) at the surface, with silt and clay alluvium over sand and gravel in the stream valleys (USGS).

Expansive clay is slow to trench and hard to restore cleanly, and a long backfilled trench can settle for months. Pulling the new line through the existing path leaves the yard largely undisturbed.

When the service runs under a slab, the PF-12's under-slab capability pulls new PEX-A beneath it from two small access points, without breaking up the floor.

★ Local Reference

Memphis water service work at a glance

Here are the Memphis utility, burial depth, permit office, licensing board, and housing age in one place.

Water utility	Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW)
Service line depth	Check burial depth with the permit office; Tennessee jurisdictions set it by local code.
Plumbing permits	Memphis and Shelby County Office of Construction Code Enforcement. Local IPC amendments require a permit for potable water systems.
State licensing	Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (CMC/CMC-A license for jobs $25,000+; Limited Licensed Plumber for smaller jobs where the local government accepts it)
Housing age	Median year built 1971; 64% built before 1980 (ACS 2024)

Local codes and programs change. Confirm requirements with the permit office before you start.

★ The System

What the PF-12 brings to a Memphis plumbing business

The PF-12 gives Memphis plumbers 20,000 lb of controlled pull, under-slab capability, and training for $12,995.

20,000 lb of controlled pull. ForceCore™ runs a 544:1 gear ratio on a 12V platform: slow, steady force, not raw winch power.
A 1' × 2' footprint. The PF-12 anchors at the access pit, so there's no heavy equipment staging in the yard.
Heads built for real service lines. The SR-Series™ scores, expands, and compacts, with Flow-Link™ articulation for bends and offsets.
Under-slab capability. Pull new PEX-A under the slab without breaking up the floor.
Training included. Every system comes with Pipe Force University onboarding and direct support from your first pull.
Financing available. See equipment financing and run the payback calculator with your own Memphis job numbers.

See how trenchless pipe pulling works, step by step →

★ Memphis Questions

Trenchless Pipe Pulling in Memphis

Here are straight answers to the questions Memphis contractors ask about permits, pricing, and demos.

Do I need a permit to replace a water service line in Memphis?

Plan on it. Permitting authority in Memphis: Memphis and Shelby County Office of Construction Code Enforcement. Local IPC amendments require a permit for potable water systems. Requirements change, so confirm with that office before you start.

How does trenchless pipe pulling work on a Memphis job?

From a small pit at one end, the SR-91 head scores the old service line, the SR-71 wedge expands and compacts the path, and ForceCore™ pulls the new line in behind it with 20,000 lb of controlled force. No continuous trench across the yard.

How much does the PF-12 cost, and can I finance it?

The PF-12 System is $12,995 plus freight and includes Pipe Force University onboarding. Equipment financing is available on approved credit through Mazo Capital.

Can I see the PF-12 run before I buy?

Yes. Book a demo and we'll walk you through the system and the Pipe Force Method, including how it fits the ground conditions you see in Memphis.

Ready To Stop Digging In Memphis?

The PF-12 is $12,995 + freight, with training and support included.

Buy The PF-12 Book Your Demo

Trenchless Pipe PullingFor Memphis Plumbers.