Learn what sewer pipe lining is and the common problems associated with sewer pipe lining along with some useful solutions.
The Use of Sewer Pipe Lining to Fix Plumbing
Have you suddenly discovered a faulty/broken pipe or one that has a blockage at your home? Oftentimes, due to weather, hard water, or even water pressure, the pipes in your home can end up getting damaged. When that happens, you really need to consider the repair options you have.
Generally, maintaining sewer pipes is not an easy task and needs to be done as soon as possible before the problem deteriorates. The most common problem with sewer pipes is cracks that lead to leakage. In such a situation, you have two options from here; one is to fix the sewer pipelining and the other is to replace the entire pipe.
We will review both the processes one by one and provide you a well-informed guide so that you can reach a conclusion about your plumbing problem. Where there is a problem, there is always not just one, but many solutions; you have to decide which is the best solution for your problem.
What Exactly Is Sewer Pipe Relining?
You might discover a breakage or crack in the interior of a pipe. This is when the plumbing experts perform the process of sewer pipe relining. This helps reconstruct and seal the cracks without having to extract the pipe from the ground. Hence, you will not destroy the footpaths or trees by digging the pipes out.
The Process of Sewer Pipe Lining
Even though sewer pipe relining has developed, and many new technologies have been invented to help this process, many people are still unaware of how this works. Here is the step-by-step process.
- First, your plumber will have to locate where and what exactly the problem in your pipe resides by using a drain camera.
- Once it is located, a specially designed tube will be implanted into the damaged pipe.
- The next step involves inflating the tube so that it fits quite tightly against the walls of the damaged pipe.
- The specially designed tube is glazed on the outside with strong epoxy resin, which gives it the ability to stick cohesively to the walls.
- A unified seal will be created due to the resin being cured, attaching the old tube with the new tube. This seal will last for a very long time.
What Does it Help fix?
Any kind of structural damage that has been caused to the pipe such as cracks, damage caused by tree branches, or even skewed pipes can be fixed by sewer relining. Not only that, but this process can also stop these damages from happening again.
If we compare pipe relining with replacement, relining is definitely the better option in most cases. However, if the damage to the pipe is too severe, you will have to replace the pipe. That being said, pipe relining and replacement have their own set of pros and cons.
Advantages of Pipe Relining
One of the most significant advantages of sewer pipe relining is that it is way cheaper than getting your pipes replaced. Replacement is labour-intensive, and you would have to reconstruct the ground from where the pipe was dugout. Hence, it gets very costly.
On the other hand, a plumber who has plenty of experience with pipe relining can save you many dollars and get your work done smoothly. However, this is possible only if the damage isn’t too significant.
Higher Efficiency than other Methods
You have to do a lot of work while replacing pipes, such as pull apart walls, tangible slabs, and dig trenches. You are getting all that done just to replace a damaged pipe. This traditional method is a little too hectic.
On the contrary, pipe relining is a fairly simple process. Firstly, the new tubing is definitely going to cost you way less than buying a completely new pipe, and you don’t even have to worry about disposal. You don’t have to deconstruct your property. All the plumber needs is a hole the size of a square meter. It is super-fast and super convenient.
Less Time Consuming
If you think about replacement, consider the time it would take to first dig out the pipe by taking apart your yard, part by part, replacing the pipe, and putting everything back together. It’s a very lengthy process.
Getting a pipelining instead will only take a day. You don’t have to spend more than one morning supervising the work being done.
Reduces Damage to Your Property
Pipe relining does not require you to dismantle your landscape or do any clean-up afterward. Unlike pipe replacement where you would probably have to hire other experts to make your backyard look exactly like how it was before, you can get your plumbing problem fixed quickly in pipe relining.
Even though after place replacement, your garden or yard may look like how it was before, there might still be some damage done that is not fixable. Hence, it’s nearly always better to opt for pipe relining.
Long-lasting and Great Prevention
Once you have relined your pipes, you don’t have to worry about them for at least the next 20 to 50 years. Remember to always reinsure the type of manufacturer’s warranty that the company is providing with your relining installer. If you have been living in a house for many years, it would be wise to get ahead of time and get your pipes relined.
This will prevent most of the problems related to sewer pipes and will save you from the anxiety and extra costs of handling damage when it is too severe. Also, relining your pipes will avoid moisture from creating leakages, which then make the roots of trees grow towards the pipe and block it.
Some Disadvantages of Sewer Pipe Relining
There are some disadvantages of pipe relining of sewer pipe relining. For example, there are many instances in which pipe relining is unsatisfactory, and you would have to replace the pipe completely. If your pipe gets crushed, faces severe tree roots damage, has been displaced, or is blocking/holding water due to sags, relining will not solve the problem.
This is because the tubing material does not provide an interior surface to adhere to. There are many inventive methods that can be used to install these liners, such as drilling into concrete to provide access to the pipe, blocking gaps in the pipes by using liners, or chopping any obstructions present within the pipes.
The Cost of Installing Sewer Pipe Liners
When you decide on relining a pipe, you usually don’t have to do it for the entire pipe; you can either get the damaged area or the whole thing fixed; that’s up to you. This is why the cost of sewer pipe relining is calculated on a per meter basis.
Let’s suppose you plan on relining an entire pipe. It will cost approximately $2300 for the first meter if you have a 100mm diameter pipe. After that, you can expect an additional charge of $300 to $350 for every additional meter. It may sound a lot initially but think about it in the long run. You will not have to worry about fixing your pipes for a good 20 to 50 years. That saves a substantial amount of money in the long run.
Replacement of Sewer Pipe
This is the traditional method of fixing your plumbing problems. It is not very convenient and requires a lot of work but still gets the job done. If you want to replace your pipes, make sure to consult experts that have worked with confined spaces and will cause minimum damage to your property.
Replacing a sewer pipe is a big responsibility, so don’t just let anyone do it. The professionals will perform tests on the pipe that will help them access the problem, which will then allow them to map out exactly how they will perform the task invoking minimum damage and maximum work efficiency.
The cost of Replacement
The cost of replacing a sewer line depends on where the sewer pipe is located, but approximately, the full replacement will cost between $3000 to $25,000, and the calculation is done on a per-foot basis.
If You Have Damaged Pipes, get a Sewer Pipe Relining Done
Considering all the factors, pipe relining is normally the more desirable option to choose when it comes to fixing the cracks, leaks, or damage in your sewer pipe. It is a very straight forward and easy process and does not take more than a day to complete.
This process offers immense benefits. It is much more practical than getting your entire pipe replaced by tearing your property apart. Thus, if your pipes are damaged, don’t think twice and get them relined!
