You’ve noticed the sink is starting to get backed up and drain slowly. The shower drips when you turn on the water. There’s even some wetness in the basement around the pipes. As per experts at The Relining Company these are all signs your home’s plumbing system may be failing. Before you panic and call in an excavation crew to tear up your yard, consider pipe relining first. This sneaky repair method can restore your pipes without the huge mess and cost of full pipe replacement.
Keep reading to understand what causes pipes to fail, how relining works its magic, and why it should be your first choice for getting your plumbing back in order.
What Happens When Pipes Start To Fail
Underground pipes and in walls, they are simple to overlook until there’s a visible issue. The damage has already begun. Here are a few common causes pipes break over time:
Age – The lifespan of pipes ranges from 50 to 75 years. The older systems are more susceptible to breaks, leaks and blockages due to years of wear and wear and tear.
The Tree Roots- are tiny roots that slip through the tiniest gaps and cracks, searching for water. If left for long enough, these roots become thick and can cause massive clogs.
Soil Setting – When the dirt around pipes shifts or settles it places stress on the joints, which can cause cracks and fractures.
Corrosion – Mineral deposits caused by bacteria, water and other chemicals slowly destroy the pipes’ inner walls which can cause leaks.
Freezing – Pipes explode when water freezes, and expands within the pipes. The fluctuations in temperature can also cause damage to pipes.
When you realize the slow draining of your sink or leak from the shower, or a damp basement, your pipes are already in poor condition. The traditional method of replacing pipes involves massive excavations involving jackhammers smashing through flooring, and backhoes digging enormous trenches, massive cost and disruption. Pipe relining, however, avoids the destruction.
How Pipe Relining Works Its Magic
Pipe relining is a clever repair method that creates new interior pipe walls right inside the old pipes. Here’s how it works:
First, a plumber snakes a small camera into the pipes to inspect and identify exactly which sections need repair – roots, cracks, corrosion, or leaks. Next, a flexible epoxy-coated bladder, custom cut to the length of the damaged pipe, gets pulled into the old pipe. The bladder is then inflated and presses the epoxy coating hard against the wall of the pipe.
The epoxy cures to harden, perforating the holes, cracks and leaks that have formed in the old pipe walls. Once the curing process is completed after which the bladder begins to deflate and is then removed leaving behind a smooth, new epoxy pipe liner. In essence, it creates brand-new pipes by creating new walls within the existing pipe system. Pretty ingenious.
Why Pipe Relining Beats Replacement
Compared to the huge undertaking of completely replacing your pipe system, relining offers major advantages:
Less Expensive – Pipe relining costs a fraction of what full pipe replacement costs. Homeowners save an average of 50-80% with relining.
Faster Repair Time – Relining takes just one day with no wait for parts or supplies. You can start using the pipes again right away.
Minimal Invasion – Only tiny access holes need to be drilled instead of huge trenches across the yard. Major disruption avoided.
No Demolition – No jackhammers, no busted up floors or walls, no ruined landscaping.
Improved Water Flow – The smooth new pipe lining is less prone to clogs and buildup that slows water.
Long Lasting – Epoxy liners can last 50-75 years just like new piping. Way more than patch repairs.
In just about every way, relining causes less damage and costs less money than pipe replacement.
What To Expect With Pipe Relining
If you decide to get those troublesome pipes fixed via relining, here’s a basic rundown of the process:
- The pipes are inspected with a camera to identify which sections and joints need repair.
- The pipe lengths and dimensions are measured to custom cut the epoxy bladder material.
- Small access holes are cut into the pipes at strategic entry points.
- The bladder coated in epoxy gets fed into the pipe system and inflated to apply the epoxy firmly to the inside walls.
- The epoxy hardens for several hours while technicians monitor pressure.
- Once fully cured, the bladder gets deflated and removed. The hardened epoxy remains, sealing the pipes.
- The access holes are sealed up and the pipes are good as new.
The process moves quickly with minimal invasive digging required. Within a day, your pipes are renewed.
Conclusion
Next time you’ve got blocked drains, leaky pipes, or other plumbing problems, call in the trenchless relining pros before breaking ground on expensive and disruptive pipe replacement. Relining renews your pipes in place with just a fraction of the mess and cost. Your water will be flowing cleanly again in no time.