Trenchless technology has become a bit of a modern buzzword in the engineering sector, as more and more firms look to reduce their environmental impact and offer more sustainable solutions.
However, when it comes to pipe relining solutions, we’ve been referencing and heralding trenchless technology for decades!
By far the most efficient and effective approach to restoring damaged or broken pipes to full use, trenchless pipe linings are designed to be fed into and activated inside the pipe from above ground – creating a new layer within the pipe which holds the water or waste in and the surrounding debris out.
How do Pipes Get Broken or Damaged?
Before we dive into the benefits of pipe relining and our CIPP solutions, let’s create some context and set the scene.
Pipe liners can be used to repair pipes of all shapes and sizes, from a couple of centimetres in diameter to over 1 metre.
With pipes performing such a critical role in our everyday lives, making up a vital part of local infrastructure in transporting waste, clean water, and other necessities to and from domestic and commercial properties, being able to identify and fix leaks and other damage is important.
Damage and cracks in the walls of a pipe can be caused by a number of things, from excessive pressure inside the pipe to undue weight outside of the pipe. We often see pipes that have been weakened by pressure from within the pipe, exacerbated by blockages and other damage, that then succumb to the weight of roots and other debris in the ground above the pipe.
Such damage can appear as anything from a crack which causes a leak, to a full break in the pipe system.
The Benefits of Pipe Relining
Pipe relining is designed to seal the damage mentioned above, by feeding a section of felt that’s enhanced with an industrial resin. Once in place, this felt is flooded with hot water or steam, activating the resin and causing it to fix to the inner wall of the pipe and create a new layer.
This entire process is both efficient and highly effective and can crucially be performed without needing to expose or excavate the pipe.
Other benefits include:
- The efficiency of CIPP lining solutions means that pipes can be restored to working order in very little time, minimising disruption and the damage caused by leaks and flooding
- CIPP liners strengthen the pipe walls
- Pipe liners from Insituform are made using recycled materials, making them a sustainable solution to damaged pipes
- The plethora of solutions available via Insituform means that there’s a solution for all types of pipe, all situations, and all levels of damage
Why is Pipe Relining a Good Alternative to Pipe Replacement?
Prior to the rollout of CIPP liners and pipe relining solutions from the likes of Insituform, damaged or broken pipes had to be replaced.
To really understand why relining is a good alternative to full replacement, we need to combine the aforementioned benefits with the reality of pipe replacement.
While some may try to argue that replacing the pipe completely provides a clean slate and guaranteed fix, the work involved in this kind of pipe replacement is extensive, costly, and incredibly disruptive. What’s more, pipe replacement involves more than simply replacing the damaged section, as the new stretch of pipe needs to be integrated into the existing system.
This means that ground on either side of the damaged section of pipe needs to be excavated and dug up, requiring more financial investment, more equipment, and causing more disruption to locals.
Conversely, pipe relining offers all the benefits mentioned in the previous section and can be employed from your position above ground without extensive digging.
Is Pipe Relining Really a Reliable Solution?
Finally, to the question that we get asked most often: is pipe relining via CIPP liners really as effective and long-lasting as a new pipe?
The truth is that we cannot guarantee exactly how long a relined pipe using Insituform’s CIPP liners will last – because we haven’t had a restored or relined pipe fail yet! The very pipe that Insituform repaired using its leading CIPP lining is still in excellent working order today, more than 50 years after the project was first completed.
Suffice to say, we couldn’t ask for any better proof of the reliability and quality of our pipe lining solutions!
Professional Relining vs DIY Approach
With all this in mind, and with pipe relining a budget friendly and effective solution for broken and damaged pipes, is this something you can do yourself or do you need a professional team to carry out the pipe relining?
This really depends on you. Insituform’s solutions are available for engineers and local councils to purchase and install themselves, with the support of hands-on training from our team. Or we can come and install the CIPP lining for you.
Either way, don’t hesitate to reach out to discuss your pipe relining project and to receive advice and guidance on selecting the right CIPP product for you.