Reline your damaged pipe without digging

What is pipe relining and when should it be considered?

Pipe relining is a trenchless repair technique that enables comprehensive repairs beneath your yard or flooring without any excavation. The technique employed means we insert an epoxy resin liner into the existing pipe to seal cracks, restore structural integrity, and prevent further damage.

Consider pipe relining when your pipes show signs of damage from:

• Tree roots or ground shifting can cause fissures and even severely damage your plumbing
• Age-related wear contributing to leaks and potentially a collapsed pipe
• Sections that have partially collapsed but still allow some flow

Pipe relining solutions are particularly effective for sewer drain systems, storm water networks, potable water channels, and the like. Relining effectively repairs various pipe segments, including joints, elbows, and straight runs, ensuring a successful drain pipe repair. A primary advantage of pipe relining is the liner’s capacity to bond to the host pipe’s interior, essentially creating a 'new’ pipe internally.

The benefits of relining your existing pipes rather than opting for traditional pipe replacement include:

• Less invasive – no need to dig up your garden or cause disturbance
• Significantly less costly and swift to install without having to completely excavate
• Long lifespan of 50+ years
• Prevents tree root penetration and damage reoccurring
• Restores flow and pressure capacity

Using CCTV drain camera technology, our team assesses damage and can reline your pipes with compact liners to effectively shield and prevent future damage to your drain pipes. Our team employs various pipe relining methods for effective drain repair, presenting a solid year guarantee and, under certain conditions, can address even blocked drains 75mm across and larger, including partially collapsed sections.

How to assess pipe damage to determine if relining is feasible

Understanding the costs involved in pipe relining is crucial to ascertain its practicality and feasibility for your specific situation. Our plumbers follow a set of professional and methodical steps:

1. Conduct a visual inspection of critical access points such as gully traps or junction boxes, looking for signs of damage like leaks, water pooling or misaligned pipes with visible cracks.
2. Employ a CCTV camera inspection for detailed internal pipe assessment. High-resolution imagery enables meticulous evaluation of damage severity, relining suitability, specific damage types, precise measurement, and pathway navigation.
3. For partially collapsed sections, we check if there’s enough space for a liner to be inserted into the pipe and moulded into shape with steam.
4. Evaluate the cost of pipe relining or spot repairs before proceeding with the procedure. We employ techniques such as pipe patching, epoxy resin application, or highpressure water jetting.
5. Estimate how much pipe relining is required by the location and extent of intruding tree roots so they can be removed without damaging your plumbing prior to installing the liner.

Our team specialises in relining your sewer lines, which includes both sewer pipe and stormwater pipe systems, using precise measurements and diagrams to correctly assess your drainage system layout. We offer a comprehensive cost estimate, determining the suitability of our solutions for your system as a whole or specific sections in need of repair. We outline the expected lifespan and determine the cost of your pipe issues, providing fixed quotes to help you understand the overall cost of pipe relining for your consideration.

The pipe relining process step-by-step

1. Conduct an initial CCTV inspection to thoroughly assess the inside of the damaged pipe, evaluating the type and extent of damage using high-resolution technology.
2. Spot repair problem sections. We repair broken or damaged sewer lines and clear blocked pipes before relining, employing techniques such as pipe patching, robotic cutters or high-pressure water jetting.
3. A critical step in the relining process is preparing and sealing access points to halt resin leakage and guarantee correct liner expansion.
4. Insert flexible epoxy liner. Specialist equipment adeptly manoeuvres the liner inside old pipes networks to span entire sections needing repair.
5. Use steam to inflate resin liner. Hot steam moulds the epoxy resin to bond firmly to the inner walls of an old pipe.
6. Cure resin liner with UV, hot water or air. Lights, hot water or blown air enables the liner to set rock-solid within pipes.
7. Reopen service lines and lateral connections. After curing, flow is reinstated, and branch drains appear newly fitted, with all services preserved intact, courtesy of our remote-controlled cutters, which obviate the need for excavation.
8. Final CCTV check. Cameras verify successful curing and reconnected branches with no leaks or obstructions.

Pipe relining restores your pipework’s integrity without the extensive costs and disruptions associated with trench excavation. The resin moulds locks firmly within the host pipe to prevent infiltration for 50+ years.

Types of pipes suitable for relining

Pipe relining can restore the integrity of various types of pipes without invasive procedures, including:

• PVC
• Clay
• Cast iron
• Galvanised steel
• Asbestos cement
• Concrete
• Copper (although not common)

The liner forms an exceptionally strong bond within sewer lines and other durable materials. The flexibility and strength of high-grade epoxy resins have been crucial in sewer pipe relining, even for partially collapsed sections, by expanding and setting inside the damaged walls of your pipe.

Our team determines the feasibility of relining after detailed pipe assessments, exploring available options. We provide guidance on expected longevity, we offer warranties, and present comparative cost estimates for consideration alongside traditional replacement methods.

The benefits of pipe relining over replacement

Pipe relining delivers numerous advantages when compared with pipe replacement:

• Cost savings of 50-80% as landscaping and excavation are not required
• Much less disruption - water, gas and electricity do not need disconnecting
• Eliminates the need for demolition of driveways, floors, or walls, further reducing restoration costs
• Little surface landscape disturbance compared to digging trenches
• Prevents future root damage reoccurring compared to replacing with new pipes
• Long lifespan of 50+ years compared to 25-50 years expected from new pipe installations
• Maintains full water pressure and flow capacity inside buildings
• Faster installation taking 1-2 days compared to over a week for dug pipe replacement
• Resists corrosion, infiltration and abrasion
• Can reline fully or partially collapsed pipes

Pipe relining worth considering is a proven long-term, non-disruptive, and cost-effective solution. Our expertise in providing pipe relining services across Sydney ensures results that exceed quality expectations, validating the value of the investment.

What is the longevity of a relined pipe?

We recommend properly installed relined pipes for their highly durable lifespan extending over 50 years. The flexible resin liner can also bond securely within the host pipe to restore structural integrity, prevent future root damage, resist corrosion and eliminate leaks.

Several key factors determine longevity of a relined pipe:

• Pipe condition - Relining is ideal for broken pipes that are structurally sound or able to be repaired. It’s essential to conduct proper pre-lining repairs on severely damaged sections.
• Liner thickness - We use high-density epoxy liners between 3-10mm thick depending on pipe dimensions to guarantee durability.
• Quality resins - We use advanced polyester or vinyl ester resins rigorously tested to last 50+ years within pipes.
• Proper installation - Comprehensive CCTV checks, controlled liner inflation and precise curing methods ensure correct bonding and integrity.

While seamless PVC or HDPE pipes also last up to 50 years, relining provides superior root intrusion prevention. With quality materials and professional installation, relined pipes will reliably serve your property for 50+ years. We thoroughly guarantee our trenchless pipe relining work.

Environmental safety of pipe relining materials

Pipe relining uses eco-friendly epoxy resin materials for your sewer system maintenance. The resins contain no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and do not release any toxic substances during or after installation.

Liners are cured with techniques such as UV light, hot water, or air pressure, bypassing the need for hazardous chemicals. There is no risk of soil or water contamination if small resin quantities spill during inflation procedures.

The sleek epoxy lining prevents debris accumulation, ensuring an unobstructed flow of wastewater through your plumbing system. Relining enables pipes under your house to remain underground, minimising landfill waste compared to replacing entire pipelines.

Pipe relining exemplifies sustainable, non-toxic plumbing practices. We responsibly dispose of any used materials. The long-term durability of liners also conserves resources over time compared to repeatedly replacing worn pipelines.

When to call a professional for assessment and repair

Certain signs may indicate the need for a professional plumber to assess potential damage to your pipes:

• Recurrent blocked drain issues or slow draining, which can persist despite attempts at clearing
• Gurgling drains accompanied by sewer gas smells
• Visible sinking or misalignment of pipe joints
• Cracks or leaks allowing water penetration into walls/floors
• Excess moisture around pipe joints causing mould or soil erosion

For more information or to schedule a pipe inspection, contact our team at Lilyfield Plumbing on 1300 349 338.

We use high-resolution CCTV cameras to thoroughly assess damage and advise if trenchless relining is the best repair approach. We provide quotes for the optimal pipe relining and replacement options if required.

With over 30 years of excellence in Sydney’s plumbing services, we specialise in diagnosing the full scope of pipe damage to present the optimal solution for your scenario.