When your sewer line becomes damaged, it can cause major plumbing problems for your home or business. Historically, these issues required digging to replace the damaged pipes, which could take weeks and disrupt the surrounding area.
Fortunately, the repair process is now much more efficient with pipelining. Trenchless repairs reduce the need for excavation and improve the function of your sewer, water, or drain lines.
Trenchless Pipelining
A popular method for sewer line repair and replacement, trenchless pipelining allows your plumbing crew to save time and money without the extra costs of traditional excavation. Using this process, your plumbing technician will dig just two access holes at the entrance and exit points of the damaged sewer line to run new pipes and replace the old ones.
A new epoxy-saturated liner is then inserted into the existing pipe. This one-of-a-kind liner creates a seamless inner lining designed to last decades.
Also known as cured-in-place pipe (CIPP), this process effectively repairs minor leaks, cracks, and structural damage. It doesn’t, however, fix sagging or bellying, which can only be solved by replacing the affected line with a brand-new HDPE pipe. This is why it’s important only to trust a professional plumber to perform this work. They can guarantee the quality of the materials and services that you receive.
Internal Pipe Coating
The CIPP pipe relining method allows your plumber to access damaged piping without digging trenches. This non-destructive solution is less labor intensive and saves you the cost of restoring your lawn, driveway, sidewalk, patio, and buildings. It also reduces the chance of a future sewer failure caused by structural damage to your plumbing pipes.
It involves inserting new epoxy-saturated pipe tubing into existing broken piping, inflating it, and curing it into place with hot air, steam, or blue light LED technology. The result is a new internal pipe liner that can last for decades.
The relined pipe is corrosion-free, resistant to root intrusion, and improves water flow. This type of relining is especially suitable for old lines that have become heavily tuberculated. For example, APS recently relined a residential condominium with low fire flow due to heavy tuberculation. The relined pipes improved flow by 290%!
Slip lining
While pipe replacement is often the go-to solution for severe sewer damage, more cost-efficient and less invasive repair options are available. One of these is slip lining, a trenchless rehabilitation method that involves inserting a new pipe inside an existing one.
Trenchless can perform slip lining for sewage, water main, and culvert pipes. The process involves pushing or pulling a new carrier pipe into the host pipe, grouting the annular space, and sealing the ends. The inserted liner improves the structural integrity of the host pipe, stopping leaks and restoring load-bearing capacity.
The host pipe must be thoroughly cleaned and prepared before slip lining occurs. It can be done with various cleaning tools, including CCTV and pipeline pigs. Having a recorded internal inspection is recommended before slip lining begins to establish the condition and interior diameter of the host pipe (and for gas, whether it can be safely used during live insertion).
Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP)
While many traditional pipe repair methods require digging, trenchless sewer pipe lining is fast, effective, and less disruptive. It also provides a longer lifespan than conventional pipes, and it can reduce infiltration, leaks, and collapsed pipes.
CIPP uses an epoxy resin inverted into the existing pipe, sealing the broken line and filling any cracks or gaps that might compromise safety or cause a clog in the future. It’s even safe for underground pipes containing hazardous materials such as asbestos and lead.
The lining material is initially flexible but hardens to the same strength as the surrounding pipe. Once the plumbing team inverts it into the damaged pipeline, they use water or air to inflate and cure it. The fixed liner is as strong as the old pipe and can last decades without breaking or collapsing. The relining method can work on all lines, including cast iron, PVC, and galvanized steel.
