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Introduction to Pipe Relining

Pipe relining is a contemporary plumbing method that repairs damaged pipes without the need for excavation. This non-destructive method inserts an epoxy resin liner into the pipe, effectively creating a 'pipe within a pipe’.

The resin liner adheres to the pipe’s interior, sealing any cracks and holes that could cause leaks, thus preventing further damage to your plumbing. As the resin cures, it forms an intact, seamless new lining within the old pipe. Pipe relining minimises disruption to your home’s daily routines compared to traditional pipe replacement.

Pipe relining offers several advantages over traditional pipe replacement, including being faster, less disruptive, more cost-effective, and providing lasting results. Pipe relining is faster, less disruptive, more economical, and offers longer-lasting results than traditional methods. It is particularly effective for repairing broken sewer pipes and mending damage or deterioration without requiring excavation.

Continue reading to determine if our pipe relining services are the right solution for your situation. We cover how the process works, its applications, effectiveness for various sewer line issues, indicative costs, and why it presents an appealing solution for your sewer needs.

When to Consider Pipe Relining Over Replacement

Opt for pipe relining instead of full replacement if:

  • The pipe damage is limited or confined to small sections
  • Tree roots have invaded, causing blockages or cracks in broken pipes, leading to them becoming damaged
  • The pipe has deterioration from age or corrosion
  • Whether dealing with partially collapsed pipes or ones showing signs of sagging
  • Hairline fractures, holes, and minor leaks are present

In all these scenarios, we can reline your plumbing and offer a more convenient, less disruptive, and more cost-effective solution than excavating and replacing entire sections. Only severely damaged pipes that are beyond structural repair require full replacement, as most relined pipes can be effective.

Using CCTV camera technology, our experts can evaluate the damage and recommend if relining is the right choice. Considerations for relining include pipe material, age, location, and fault type. All types of pipes, whether they are PVC or cast iron, can be relined provided they have retained some structural integrity.

A significant advantage of pipe relining is its ability to be customised for specific plumbing issues, bypassing extensive excavation. Walls, floors, driveways and landscaped areas do not need to be demolished to accommodate the lengths pipe relining spans. The resin liner is simply fed into the drain, forming a new barrier inside the existing pipeline.

In cases where your sewer lines have localised or sporadic damage, relining provides a superior option—not just to repair but to effectively replace problematic sections without the need to overhaul entire pipe runs. This precise repair approach is often more cost-effective than extensive, property-wide pipe replacements.

How Pipe Relining Works

The relining method process involves inserting a resin-coated liner into the damaged drain pipe. Inserted into the pipe’s damaged section, this flexible felt liner is thinner yet highly durable when cured. It is inverted through the pipe using fluid pressure, allowing it to repair or replace the original pipeline as it makes its way to the farthest end.

Once correctly positioned, hot water or steam activates the resin, which hardens and secures the liner, effectively creating a new, leak-proof pipe within the old structure. The end result is a pipe that is structurally sound for decades.

Some key aspects of how pipe relining works include:

  • This method eliminates the need for excavation, preserving your property’s landscape.
  • The liner bonds with the inner walls, serving as a durable replacement for the old pipeline.
  • It also prevents tree roots and soil from infiltrating the system
  • Any remaining annular space is filled with resin
  • This method effectively restores hydraulic flow capacity through a newly formed liner.
  • Flow is maintained during the relining process
  • Structural integrity and pressure handling is improved
  • The epoxy liner is corrosion, abrasion and chemical resistant

In summary, nodig pipe repair is achieved through relining, utilising trenchless pipe repair methods that renew worn pipes from the inside out. It utilises your existing pipe as a conduit, enabling repair without fully replacing the structure. The process is rapid, avoids damage to landscapes and structures, and is designed to last, all while enhancing the longevity of your pipes.

Materials Used in Pipe Relining

The materials used to repair pipes via relining depend on the types pipe, such as PVC, steel, or copper, being renewed. The most common materials are:

  • Epoxy resin - Used to saturate the liner before installation. Creates a durable pipe lining once cured.
  • Polyester felt - Flexible fabric used to form the pipe liner. Soaked in resin then inverted into the damaged pipe.
  • Glass reinforced liners - Contain fibreglass for extra strength. Used for high pressure and large diameter pipes.

The resin system is carefully matched to the pipe conditions, ensuring an optimal repair solution. For example, a chemical-resistant bisphenol F resin would be utilised for industrial Sydney water and wastewater applications. NSF 61-certified drinking water resins are used for potable pipes.

Liners are constructed using materials suitable for the sewer pipes being renewed. This includes PVC, concrete, clay, galvanised steel, copper, cast iron, and asbestos cement pipes. The flexibility of the materials allows them to be manoeuvred into drain bends and junctions with ease.

All materials used are durable and safe once installed. They restore structural integrity, overcome deterioration issues, and provide long-term protection against leaks or failures. Overall, the materials transform old pipes into new ones from the inside out.

The Step-by-Step Pipe Relining Process

1. Drainage Survey and Assessment

Technicians perform a CCTV drain camera inspection to evaluate the damage’s location, extent, and nature. This enables our team to confirm if a pipe relining service is suitable and to meticulously plan the repair approach.

2. Pipe Cleaning and Preparation

Your plumbing can be thoroughly cleaned using high-pressure water jetting. Debris, roots, deposits and corrosion are removed to prepare the pipe for relining.

3. Resin Impregnation

The liner is infused with a specially formulated resin solution. The flexibility allows it to contour to bends and junctions.

4. Liner Installation

The resin-coated liner inserted into the pipe is inverted using fluid pressure. It adheres tightly to the inner walls, sealing damage and restoring structural integrity.

5. Resin Curing

Hot water is pumped through the liner to activate and cure the resin. It chemically reacts, hardening to form a tough, protective new pipe wall.

CCTV Pipe Inspection

Before undertaking pipe relining, a CCTV or video pipe inspection is performed on your drain to ensure no blocked pipes are overlooked. This involves feeding a camera through the pipe system to visually assess the location, severity, and nature of the damage for targeted blocked drain repair.

Using state-of-the-art CCTV drain cameras provides a detailed diagnosis of issues within drains, sewer and stormwater pipes, and other pipe networks. High-resolution footage precisely pinpoints defective sections and identifies the source of any blocked drains, cracks, breaks, or root infiltrations in sewer stormwater systems.

Thorough CCTV inspections are crucial for diagnosing drain problems and determining whether relining is suitable for all types of pipes or if full replacement is necessary. They allow technicians to plan the best repair approach and ensure the correct liner materials and resins are utilised.

Factors assessed via CCTV include the pipe material, age, diameter, wells, junctions and bends. Challenging sections are identified and measured to customise liners. The footage also provides a baseline to confirm success after relining.

In summary, CCTV drain surveys produce an accurate blueprint of repairs required. This enables pipe relining to be tailored to address the exact areas needing remediation in the most efficient manner.

Cleaning the Pipes

Before any relining can occur, the existing pipes need to be thoroughly cleaned to remove debris, deposits, grease, and any obstructions. This prepares the inner wall surfaces for proper adhesion of the epoxy resin.

We use high-pressure water jetting to thoroughly clean the drain pipes, prepping them for the relining process. Powerful water jets scour the pipe walls, clearing away years of buildup. All loose materials and contaminants are flushed out prior to the installation of the liner.

Any invasive tree roots are also removed at this stage, setting the scene for a pipe patch if required. Their fibrous intrusions are chopped back to open the path for pipe patching as part of the relining process. The high pressure water slices through roots, eliminating future infiltration risks.

In some cases, manual cleaning such as rod scraping or winching may be used in conjunction with jetting. This clears stubborn debris so the liner can make direct contact with the pipe wall surface.

This thorough cleaning regimen sets the stage for a durable, high-quality sewer drain renewal. With a clean canvas to work on, our technicians can ensure high-quality pipe relining work that restores functionality for decades thanks to advanced relining technology.

Installing the Pipe Lining

Once the existing pipe has been thoroughly cleaned and assessed, the next step is to install the pipe liner.

The felt liner is saturated with specially formulated resin, ensuring precise application and durability. It is then loaded onto an inversion drum and pulled through the damaged pipe using fluid pressure. This inverts the liner, turning it inside out as it makes its way to the farthest end of the pipe.

Care is taken to avoid over-stressing the liner as it passes through bends, joints and transitions. The installation team monitors progress on CCTV to ensure the liner is contouring smoothly, avoiding the need for a bursting head procedure. Its flexibility enables it to navigate changes in diameter and direction.

Additional resin is applied once the liner reaches its endpoint, preceding the hot water or steam curing phase. This activates the resin, causing it to chemically react and harden into a resilient, seamless new pipe within the old pipe.

Final Inspection

After the pipe relining process is complete, a final CCTV inspection is conducted. This allows our technicians to validate that the liner has cured correctly and there are no defects, wrinkles or gaps.

The post-relining footage is compared to original survey images to verify a smooth installation along the entire pipe which has been relined. We ensure the liner has created a complete pipe fit, tightly bonded to the existing pipe walls, restoring flow capacity and structural integrity.

A final pressure test may also be carried out to ensure no leaks are present. Only when the relining work has passed all quality control checks is the job approved and signed off as fully restored.

This concluding inspection step essentially provides assurance that the pipe has been given a new lease of life. Any previous damage has been sealed and the system can now function reliably for decades to come without requiring invasive excavations or replacements.

Benefits of Pipe Relining

Pipe relining without replacement presents multiple advantages compared to traditional repair methods. Key benefits include:

  • Minimal destruction - No need to demolish walls or floors, highlighting the benefits pipe relining has regarding access through existing infrastructure
  • Less invasive - Avoids major excavation works and restoration
  • Speed - Much faster than replacing entire pipe sections
  • Cost-effectiveness - Saves on labour and materials, making it a budget-friendly option.
  • Longevity - Guarantees an extended lifespan of the pipes, mitigating any potential issues for over 50 years.
  • Structural integrity - Restores strength and pressure handling capabilities
  • Tree root resistance - Prevents future root infiltration
  • Hydraulic flow - Optimises flow rates and capacity
  • Sustainability - Recycles old pipes instead of landfill disposal

In summary, sewer pipe relining is an efficient solution for your drainage system, enabling localised repairs without the associated destruction and costs of full replacement. It renews drainage systems from the inside out - faster, cheaper and longer-lasting.

Pipe Relining Costs

The cost of pipe relining depends on several factors, including the pipe size, length, location, configuration, and complexity of access. Indicative prices range when considering relining vs traditional repair methods, from $2000 for a standard residential kitchen or bathroom pipe up to $15,000+ for large commercial sites.

In general, pipe relining provides excellent value compared to full replacement. It avoids the major expenses of demolition, excavation, pipe disposal, and landscape reinstatement. The resin materials and inversion equipment are relatively affordable.

For an accurate quote, our technicians perform detailed CCTV drain inspections employing the latest diagnostics for sewer stormwater management. We can then determine the scope and technical specifics for your project. Each relining job is priced according to the individual site characteristics.

Although relining is not inexpensive, it is a fraction of the cost of replacing entire pipe networks. One might ponder how much savings could be made, as over the long lifespan of the repair, it proves highly cost-effective. The small upfront investment pays dividends for decades by avoiding repeat drainage issues.

Committed to excellence, we provide comprehensive pipe relining solutions with a focus on affordability and superior quality. Contact your local team for tailored pricing based on your pipe layout, dimensions and problems identified.

FAQs about Pipe Relining

Is pipe relining an effective long-term solution?

Yes, pipe relining is extremely durable, lasting for over 50+ years in most cases. The seamless epoxy barrier prevents cracks, leaks, root intrusion and other pipe failures.

What is the duration of the pipe relining process?

Most residential jobs take 1-2 days. The cleaning, CCTV inspection, liner insertion and curing can often be completed in a single day with minimal disruption.

What happens if the relining fails over time?

Pipe relining typically includes long-term guarantees against defects. Absolutely, ensuring years of reliable service. However, does pipe functionality lapse, any issues arising after decades of use can simply be addressed by relining again to renew its integrity.

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