Did you know that a crack in your pipework can leak as much as 250 gallons of water daily? Left unaddressed, that’s expensive and potentially damaging to your property. But when you have a plumbing issue, you probably dread the thought of extensive repair work (and the costs).
Fortunately, there is an easier alternative. Trenchless plumbing is a quicker, non-invasive method for fixing pipe issues like leaks. In this article, we’ll explain how it works and why it’s the right choice if you’re dealing with a plumbing problem or worry that you might have one.
What Is Trenchless Plumbing?
Traditional pipe repair work often comes with excavation work, like digging trenches to access pipes. Trenchless plumbing is a more modern solution that’s taken away the need for this invasive approach and is a method that’s often helpful for plumbers who need to work on underground water and sewer lines.
There are two types:
- Cured-in-place pipelining (CIPP)
- Pipe bursting
This is excellent news for homeowners! It means plumbing issues can be resolved without damaging the surroundings of their property, such as driveways and landscaping. It also cuts down on the mess and expenses of excavation work.
For plumbing teams, the trenchless method is more environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and faster.
Trenchless Plumbing: The Cured-In-Place Pipelining Method
The most common type of trenchless plumbing is the cured-in-place pipelining (CIPP) method.
You’ll find that this method is popular for:
- Leaks
- Cracks
- Minor Structural damage
This process involves an initial inspection of the pipe using a camera. The plumbing team will use the camera to assess the pipe’s condition and diagnose the plumbing problem.
After that, a flexible liner with a special resin is inserted into the pipe. This liner can expand to create a new pipe inside the old one. Plumbing teams will use hot water, steam, or UV light to expand and attach this lining (in other words, cured ‘in-place’).
Trenchless Plumbing: The Pipe Bursting Method
An alternative trenchless method for replacing old, damaged pipes is the pipe bursting method. A team will insert a bursting head inside the pipe to fracture it and replace it with a new pipe.
It’s the method to use if CIPP isn’t available due to the level of deterioration inside the pipe. Pipe bursting has some disadvantages, as it requires supportive soil and could potentially lead to more disruption, which is why CIPP is the favored option for most pipe issues.
Trenchless Plumbing: The Benefits
Trenchless plumbing has many advantages over more traditional methods of digging around pipework outside your house. Here are the main benefits of using CIPP for pipe maintenance:
No-Dig Plumbing
Traditional pipework often requires extensive digging. This leaves homeowners with disruption, mess, and costs. It can upend existing landscaping, which you must fix after finishing the plumbing work.
Trenchless plumbing helps avoid this disturbance to your property.
More Cost-Effective
Trenchless plumbing can save you money since it doesn’t involve any of the extra work of accessing the pipes via the ground. So, it’s a more cost-effective way of handling major plumbing problems.
Faster
It can sometimes take days to replace pipes; in the most complex cases, that could extend to weeks. Trenchless plumbing, by contrast, can be handled in under a day and sometimes within a few hours for the most straightforward repair jobs.
Durable
CIPP adds a new lining to your pipes. It’s corrosion-resistant, hard-wearing, and high quality, offering longevity. You don’t need to worry about a repeat problem in a few months from now.
It’s Environmentally-Friendly
CIPP doesn’t disrupt the surrounding ground, minimizing the impact on the soil. It’s a sound choice for those who want to protect the environment.
CIPP and Common Plumbing Issues
CIPP is a modern, tried-and-tested method that works for a range of plumbing issues. It’s always the preferred choice when the alternative is more complex excavation work. Here are some of the typical plumbing issues that can be addressed via CIPP:
- Cracked or leaking pipes due to age
- Pipe damage due to ground movement
- Root intrusion into the pipes from nearby plants or trees
- Water flow issues like misalignments
- Small holes or fractures in the pipes
The good news is that your plumbing team can check, via camera, whether the issue is fixable via CIPP before any work begins. This minimizes any risks to your pipes and property.
CIPP Pipe Repair Solutions: The Step-by-Step Process
So, what can you expect if you opt for CIPP to fix a pipe issue? Here is a step-by-step look at the entire process from start to finish.
- A video inspection by inserting a camera into the pipe
- The team will conduct a damage assessment based on the camera footage
- The team will advise whether CIPP is a suitable solution
- The team cleans the pipe and removes any debris
- The flexible lining with resin is added to the pipe
- The lining is cured using hot water, steam, or UV light
- A final inspection is carried out to check for leaks
It’s vital you choose a trusted and experienced team like our experts at Eyman Plumbing, Heating, and Air. Our expertly trained team has the know-how to assess the problem, do high-quality repairs using the right equipment, and minimize any risks to your pipes and property.
CIPP Trenchless Pipe Repair and Durability
Effective plumbing and pipe repair solutions should last, and the CIPP method is designed with that in mind. In fact, you might be surprised to learn that a CIPP liner can last many decades after installation, leaving you with peace of mind that you won’t have another emergency plumbing mere months after repair work.
The durability comes from the epoxy resin used in the lining, which is highly resistant to risks like root damage or cracks in the pipes.
Getting the Best Plumbing Support for Your Home
No homeowner wants the headache of a major plumbing issue, but prompt repairs are crucial for minimizing the impact. Trenchless plumbing methods like CIPP are vital for fixing the problem quickly and fuss-free.
Contact us to schedule a service today. We have been around since 1957, and you won’t find an Omaha company with as much experience and knowledge as our team.