What You Need To Know About Pipe Relining

Has a severe drain blockage in the sewer pipes disrupted your plumbing system? Or have some tree roots damaged a particular pipe? You might’ve already got suggestions from neighbours and friends to reline the pipes as soon as possible and to call a reliable drain plumber from a pipe relining company.

Pipe relining is indeed among the best procedures when it comes to mending damaged pipes. But you might be wondering what makes pipe relining methods worthwhile for your sewer drains or sewer pipes and how it is carried out. Spoiler alert: Pipe relining is to repair damaged pipes, damaged blocked drains, or your existing pipe without the need to dig much. Truly, pipe relining technology with CCTV drain inspection brings pipe relining work to another level for your broken or damaged pipe. Dig pipe relining isn’t your only option now.

Don’t worry, as we’ll explain all the essential details about the sewer pipe relining job through our comprehensive guide, and without further ado, let’s get going and understand trenchless pipe relining!

What You Need To Know About Pipe Relining

To help you develop a clear idea about the different aspects of pipe relining, we’ll begin by defining this technique for your broken drain repair. Subsequently, you’ll know about the details of the procedure, including the essential points to consider before making a decision when calling for a pipe relining service. It won’t make you a pipe relining specialist but close enough.

Pipe Relining Services

The pipe relining process is used to repair broken pipes or cracked pipes due to your blocked drain or another reason without digging. This essentially implies the creation of a tough, new pipe inside the cracked or broken pipes by sealing off the cracks to promote better flow.

The relined part seals comfortably against the remaining pipe system, preventing further breaks and stopping leaks. This method is widely used for internal pipe repairs as it’s a more budget-friendly option. Moreover, pipe relining solutions are pretty convenient and doesn’t require the involvement of many professionals compared to pipe replacement.

How Does It Work?

To create the new pipe, most plumbing companies use epoxy resin as that’s durable and facilitates normal water flow throughout. Companies often use their custom-made resin solution to make the pipes, as they’re built using patented technology devised by industrial chemists, polymer engineers, and R&D experts.

Let’s take a closer look at the steps involved in the procedure:

1. Inspection, Measurement, And Cleaning

It starts with assessing the plumbing system, whereby the plumber sends a drain camera down the pipes to locate any blockages or breaks. Not only that, but they also measure the pipes during this process since these steps can help figure out where the problem lies.

Next, the plumbers start cleaning the pipes, which can involve multiple steps. They use regular cleaning methods initially, while large or solid blockages are removed with robotic cutters. Lastly, a high-pressure water jet is used to complete cleaning and ensure that the surface pipes are free of blockages for the resin pipe to set correctly.

2. Creating The Lining And Bladder Of The Pipe

After taking the measurements, the plumber will create a customised felt liner and a bladder to match the specifications of the pipe, including any junctions or bends.

3. Installing Relining Solution

Once the relined section is ready for installation, the felt liner is soaked in epoxy resin, and the uninflated bladder is inserted into the liner. After that, the plumber attaches a rope at both ends of the liner. The rope pulls the liner in place through the existing access points.

A specialised drain camera ensures that the liner is at the right spot within the pipes. Then the plumber inflates the bladder with air, and as a result, the felt liner blows out to create a seal against the pipes. Thus, a new pipe is formed that covers any cracks or broken areas.

The bladder stays inflated until the resin is cured to create a tough and hard pipe. Ultimately, the plumbers remove the bladder, leaving a brand new durable and watertight pipe.

4. Checking And Testing The Relined Section

After the entire procedure is completed, there’s a last inspection phase, whereby the CCTV drain camera checks whether the installation and sealing are secure.

Pros

Pipe relining is the preferred mode of pipe repair in most cases, thanks to these advantages:

• Less time-consuming
• Less invasive
• Relined pipes come with a longer warranty
• Long-lasting solution

Cons

But there are some concerns associated with this procedure too:

• Roots may grow into the un-relined sections
• Costly materials
• Not possible in all cases
• The initial problems may recur in case of incorrect relining

Factors To Consider Before Relining A Pipe

The relining procedure can be effective if enough precautions are taken beforehand. But in a few cases, it has some physical limitations, which you must keep in mind.

1. Uneven Cleaning

Improper cleaning of pipes can lead to uneven linings that may cause many problems later on. Ensure that you clean the pipes properly; hiring professional plumbers for maintenance multiple times a year isn’t enough.

Also, remember that the accumulated debris can create problems during relining.

2. Smaller Diameter

Pipes with less than 4 inches diameters might create trouble as epoxy needs some space to harden. But for smaller pipes, that isn’t always possible.

3. Broken Components Of Pipes

You must replace broken pipe components as simply relining the pipes won’t be enough to create a new outer pipe. So, make sure that the outer surface of the pipes is in proper condition before relining.

Should You Go For Pipe Relining?

Compared to pipe replacement, relining has many more benefits and is an efficient repair method. It can repair many pipe issues ranging from tree root damage to cracks and can last for around 20 to 50 years based on the material used. You only need to dig a small hole to access the pipes, meaning the procedure is hardly disruptive to your landscaping or garden.

Also, it’s an especially useful method of preventing pipe damage and houses having old pipes often have their pipes relined beforehand to avoid structural issues. You can forget about tree roots or blockage damages after the pipes are relined.

Cost Of Pipe Replacement Vs Relining

Remember when we mentioned that pipe relining is a budget-friendly option for pipe repair? That’s because the process is more straightforward. It doesn’t involve any digging that can disrupt the house plan. But in case you need to reline several pipes in and around the home, the cost involved will naturally be much higher.

Pipe replacement is an intricate procedure involving using various tools, materials, and more labour. You will also need to consider the pipe depth and the area that must be excavated.

Reline Your Pipes On Time

There you have it — a detailed yet simplified guide on the nitty-gritty of pipe relining.

Remember that it’s best to get your plumbing system checked once in a while, as you can then reline the pipes on time. Ultimately, this will save you more time and money to help you stay stress-free.

You should also keep in mind the dos and don’ts of relining to ensure that you can benefit from the procedure. We’ll wrap things up for today but stay tuned as we’ll be back soon with more informative content.

And please, if you would like to speak to a professional plumber about pipe relining, contact our team. Gold Coast Plumbing Company technicians use the latest equipment and technology to repair your pipelines quickly and efficiently.

See you next time, bye!