Plumbing repairs have a habit of being disruptive. For example, needing to replace inbound water lines or outbound sewer lines could mean tearing up the yard. But there is an alternative in a process known as pipe lining. The question is this: is pipe lining a suitable alternative to total replacement?

Pipe lining is one of the services offered by Utah’s Beehive Plumbing. Providing service in three counties, Beehive says that lining is a definite alternative for most pipe replacement jobs that do not involve structural issues. It is not a good option for completely collapsed pipes or pipes that are severely corroded.

A Fairly Simple Concept

Pipe lining is a fairly simple concept to understand. It involves inserting a flexible liner into a compromised pipe and then letting it cure to form what is essentially a new pipe inside the old one. There are two types of pipe lining strategies:

• Cured-In-Place – Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP) lining utilizes a resin-soaked liner inserted into the existing pipe. Air pressure inflates the pipe and cures the resin. Once cured, the liner is watertight.
• Spray-In-Place – Spray-In-Place Pipe (SIPP) lining relies on a spray rather than a physical liner. A chemical is sprayed inside the pipes where it bonds to pipe walls and creates a thin barrier. It is not as strong as CIPP, so it’s only intended for minor repairs.

Neither type of lining strategy is effective for pipes that have totally collapsed. A completely collapsed pipe needs to be dug up and replaced. Likewise, pipes with significant corrosion may be riddled with larger gaps that cannot be effectively sealed by either lining strategy. They also need to be replaced.

Why Consumers Choose Lining

Faced with the choice between pipe lining and replacement, it might be tempting to go with replacement because you don’t trust pipe lining technology. Nonetheless, there are particularly good reasons consumers choose lining over replacement. Here are just a few of them:

• Minimally Invasive – Pipe lining is a minimally invasive repair strategy. Yards and driveways don’t have to be dug up. Landscaping isn’t endangered.
• Fast Completion – Digging up and replacing pipes can take weeks. A typical pipelining job can be completed in a day or less. Fast completion means minimal disruption.
• Cost Effectiveness – Lining damaged pipes is considerably less expensive than digging up and replacing them. When budget constraints are real, pipe lining is attractive.
• Convenient Installation – Because lining can be completed very quickly and with minimal disruption, it is a convenient alternative to pipe replacement. Homeowners don’t have to set aside large blocks of time to dedicate to pipe repair.

Homeowners worried about pipe liner durability in longevity can rest assured that the technology is more than up to the task. A quality liner properly installed should last for decades. Pipe liners are generally good for 35-50 years.

Things to Consider Before Lining

There are things to consider before choosing pipelining, things that your local plumbing contractor should make you aware of. First of all, lining is not suitable for every job. Homers need to seriously consider the overall condition of their pipes before making a decision.

In addition, pipe lining reduces the internal diameter of the affected pipes. While this is generally not an issue, routine monitoring is a good idea to safeguard against clogs and other problems that could ruin linings.

If you’re looking at potentially digging up and replacing your pipes, lining might be a viable alternative. It’s a good system that works well when deployed appropriately and installed correctly. Pipe lining is yet another option for repairing minor damage to water and sewer pipes.