At North American Pipelines Services, we specialize in commercial and residential sewer and sewer related services in New Jersey. Sewer repairs account for a substantial part of our business, but not all sewer repairs are done in the same way. For old or damaged sewer lines, utilizing sewer pipe lining is a quick and affordable way to provide repairs without the hassle of digging up and replacing the pipes.
What is Sewer Pipe Lining?
Sewer pipe lining is a minimally invasive process which allows the rehabilitation of existing sewer pipes without having to tear it out and replace it with traditional methods. In short, Pipe Lining is accomplished by inserting an epoxy saturated felt tube into the pipe, inflating it and letting it cure in place. After the liner has cured, the result is a brand new pipe within the old pipe. The resulting pipe liner is so strong that it is a stand-alone pipe, and does not rely on the old exterior pipe for structural integrity. This new pipe can last as long as 50 years.
Types of Sewer Lining
There are several methods of sewer pipe lining. Each is used to fix certain types of pipe damage and varying degrees of damage and decay. Here are the commonly used pipe relining techniques:
- Cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining – After the interior of the existing pipe is cleaned and dried, the lining is inserted and then inflated inside the original pipe. Once in place it is hardened with heat or UV radiation.
- Pull-in-place pipe lining -Two small, unintrusive holes are made for sewer line access, and we pull the pipe liner into place carefully.
- Inversion lining – This is for pipes with very minor damage. The lining is made from felt and resin and is put in place using a small unobtrusive hole.
Sewer Pipe Relining – A Trenchless Repair Option
Sewer pipe relining offers the benefit of being a quick and relatively simple process that is done using trenchless sewer repair technology. Relining essentially creates a pipe within a pipe using flexible resin and fiberglass. Any cracks or holes will be filled without impacting the diameter of the pipe which makes water able to flow smoothly. Open excavation repairs present a solution for trenchless sewer pipe relining.
Sewer pipe relining is best suited for pipes that are still in relatively good condition and have maintained their structural integrity.
Sewer Pipe Lining Process
The pipe lining process has several steps from start to end. While there may be steps in between, these are the four that make up the primary sewer pipe lining process:
- Video inspection – An initial inspection of the pipe is performed by means of a high definition sewer camera. During this process we will measure the linear footage and diameter of your pipes as well as locate and document any problems such as cracks, blockages, tree roots, etc.
- Sewer cleaning – The pipes are thoroughly cleaned utilizing hydro-jetting or mechanical methods. This process removes tree roots, blockages and scale buildup in preparation for lining.
- Lining is installed – After the pipe is cleaned and excess debris is removed, the pipe can now be lined. The felt liner is measured and cut to the dimensions of the pipe such as length and diameter.
- Reinstate branching pipes – The branching sewer lines that were covered over will have to be reinstated or reopened with our state of the art reinstatement equipment.
What Types of Pipe Can Be Restored With Sewer Pipe Lining?
One of the great things about sewer pipe lining is that it can be used on most of the widely used sewer pipe styles. Sewer pipe lining can restore cast iron, clay, PVC, plastic, copper, steel, and concrete pipes. Even if you’re not sure what material your sewer line is made of, chances are sewer pipe lining will be a viable method to fix any defects.
How Much Does Sewer Lining Cost?
In most cases, our sewer pipe lining costs are considerably less expensive than conventional dig, demolition, and replace repair methods. In all cases, the pipe lining process is less intrusive and faster than conventional repair methods. A physical inspection is required in order to pinpoint the number of plumbing fixtures, the layout and design of the piping system, and the type of pipe material experiencing problems. In order to get an accurate estimate, reach out to NAP for a quote.
