When it comes to your pipes, it can be difficult to know which repair approach is best for your price range and needs. While pipe relining and pipe replacement both effectively repair pipes, the manner in which the pipes are repaired is very different.
Choosing which approach is right for you and weighing up the pros and cons of sewer pipe relining vs replacement is crucial to you getting the best results.
Pipe relining
Pipe relining is a fast and cost-effective process to fix structural damage in the interior of pipes that produces minimal disturbance to surrounding areas.
Pipe relining can’t be used in all situations, but for situations where it can be used, no excavation is required.
How does pipe relining work?
Pipe relining is a procedure used for repairing broken pipes both in residential and commercial areas. By using materials such as epoxy, vinyl ester, or silicate pipe, relining strengthens the pipes. It is not uncommon to have even better results than PVC pipes. Applying the procedure adds another 40-50 years to the life of the pipes.
How is it done?
- Step 1: The plumber will insert a drain camera into the pipe to locate and identify the issue.
- Step 2: Pneumatic hoses push hot, filtered air through your piping to dry it. A mixture of air and sand removes any deposits and prepares the pipes for the next steps.
- Step 3: The plumber will insert a specially designed tube into the damaged pipe.
- Step 4: Once the tube is in place, the plumber inflates the tubing so it fits snugly against the walls of the pipes.
- Step 5: The outside of this tube is coated with a strong resin which sticks to the pipe.
- Step 6: The resin will cure, bonding the new tube and the old pipe together, creating a seamless seal that protects the pipe.
When is pipe relining more beneficial than pipe replacement?
There is a common misconception that pipe relining is a temporary fix compared to a permanent fix offered by pipe replacement. Having pipes relined is a permanent fix, just like replacing them.
Of course, the way in which each technique fixes your pipes differs, and these differences determine which is right for you, whether it be replacement vs relining a pipe. The three important factors that need to be considered are cost, time, and damage.
Cost
Whilst both procedures are more cost-effective than letting your damaged drain get worse, pipe relining is normally cheaper than pipe replacement due to the smaller scale of the work.
Pipe relining is, in many situations, more convenient than the traditional method of pipe replacement, taking into account the reduction of execution times and the elimination of all the inconveniences related to excavation, such as the costs of disposal in a landfill.
The costs of each method will be determined by the level of damage to your pipes and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Time
When it comes to time, pipe relining is quick in comparison to pipe replacements. Pipe relining requires minimal digging, whereas, for a pipe replacement, trenches need to be dug around the pipe to reach it. This is a timely but necessary process when pipe relining techniques cannot be used.
If the pipe is repaired using pipe relining it will be fully functional again within a few hours, with pipe replacements taking longer to produce usable pipes.
Damage
When performed by experts, both pipe relining and pipe replacements cause minimal issues to your drains and your property. Both methods also decrease the chance of any additional damage occurring within your pipes, however:
- Pipe relining makes more sense when the time is limited. Excavating, pulling out the old piping and replacing everything takes a considerable amount of time.
- Pipe relining is best where accessing pipes would require complex work; pipes laid under tiles, concrete floors and etc.
- Pipe relining is best when the cost of excavating certain areas for drain and sewer pipes is too expensive.
Carrying out demolitions or excavations indoors or in restricted outdoor space, in addition to delaying the intervention times, will often involve the possibility of damaging other parts of the property.
Longer life expectancy
Pipe relining technology guarantees to make your pipes stronger. Resin sets in, and the relined pipe will hold its own structure, which is quite strong and durable. Pipe relining will add 20-50 years to your pipes’ lifetime. In many cases, a relined pipe will have a longer life expectancy than newly replaced pipes.
Disadvantages of Pipe Relining
Unfortunately, pipe relining is not possible in the following cases:
- Your pipes have experienced severe tree root damage, including becoming crushed
- Your pipes are displaced significantly
- Your pipes have sags or backfall and are holding water
Pipe relining may not work in these situations as the resin will have no interior surface to cling to. However, there are methods plumbers can use to solve problems with drains; they are able to use innovative methods to install a liner.
This could involve cutting away obstructions inside the pipe using specialist equipment, core drilling a concrete surface to allow access to a pipe, or repairing a gap in the pipe by installing a liner.
How much does pipe relining cost?
If you are wondering about the cost of pipe relining, there isn’t a definitive answer. The price will depend on a variety of factors, including:
- Location and accessibility of the pipe
- The condition of the pipe
- The diameter of the pipe (smaller width pipes are actually more expensive)
- Length of the pipe
On average, pipe relining costs vary between $300 – $1000 per metre, however, the first metre is normally charged much higher than the remaining metres due to the cost of equipment setup.
