Some plumbing issues are so easy to fix that you can actually DIY them. Indeed, many people have taken a liking to becoming a handyman and making beginner plumbing repairs, roof repairs, and even electrical repairs. But, the problem is that many of these DIY repairs only offer temporary solutions, and will need further fixing later on along the line. For instance, people can use Teflon tape at home, but not everyone knows how to use it correctly.
Most of the time, even though people have access to different tools they can use for home repairs, they may not have the knowledge to use them properly. On the one hand, plumbers are professionals at what they do, and they’ve studied and trained to be qualified to deal with different plumbing issues of varying degrees. They can do smaller tasks, such as fixing leaks, as well as bigger projects, such as the complete replacement of piping systems.
Pipe Replacement
One of the more difficult tasks that plumbers do is pipe replacement. This incredibly detailed and technical method for fixing pipes can’t be done by just anyone. Also, plumbing replacements can cost you a lot of money, not to mention the fact that they can be highly damaging to your home as these will require digging your lawns and breaking down your walls. The repairs you need to do for these additional damages will add up to your expenses, so it’s no wonder that people hate getting their pipes replaced.
One method to fix broken pipes is a process called CIPP lateral lining, and it’s an effective way to make your sewer lines good as new. In fact, CIPP lining can make your old or damaged piping last for another 50 years. And, it’s not as expensive or damaging as a total replacement.
To help you fully grasp what CIPP lining is all about, below are some clarifications about what it means, what the process is like, and how it works.
- What Is It And What Does It Mean?
CIPP lining means cured-in-place-pipe lining, and it’s a method that has been around since the 70s. It’s usually used for sewer construction and doesn’t require any digging. This is also why it’s also called trenchless pipe repair. It’s traditionally used for homes with damaged sewer pipes, where the lines underground could be broken by roots or worn down by time and use.
- Inspecting The Pipes
There are many technical terms that plumbers might use when they try to explain to you what CIPP lining is or how it’s done. It may sound a bit complex, but it’s quite an easy process to understand in reality. With that being said, it’s still not advised for you to do it on your own because only licensed professionals are allowed to do it. Besides, only them have the machinery and the tools to perform it on your pipes.
The first thing that they’ll do is inspect the pipes by digging two points of entry to the damaged pipes. Keep in mind that the digging won’t be too extensive since they only need to see the entry points. Then, they drain and dry the lines to make sure there’s nothing inside that can get in the way. After that, they insert a camera through the pipe to inspect just how bad the state of the current piping is. This step also allows them to decide whether lining is suitable for you or if a complete replacement is more appropriate.
While CIPP is a terrific method to repair pipes, it does have its limitations. Extremely damaged and old sewer lines can’t be fixed by CIPP lining and will have to be replaced. However, most issues can be repaired through this method, and it’s rare for piping to be deemed impossible to repair through CIPP lining.
- Preparing The Liner
After inspection, they measure the entire pipe that needs to be lined. They also note where joints are since the lining can’t cover these parts perfectly. When they finally make sure that the measurements are correct, they cut the liner according to the measurements. But, they also make sure that there’s a bit of an allowance, which can be cut later on.
- Feeding The Liner Into The Pipe
They, then, soak the liner in resin and coil it into a machine that will feed it into the pipe through a vacuum. Once the liner has gone through one entryway and pulled through the other, it’s, then, inflated. The inflation is a crucial part because it allows the lining to fit perfectly into the pipe mold.
- Curing Process
Harding or curing the resin-soaked lining is one of the final steps. And, depending on the company that you hire, how they cure the lining can vary. Some of them wait for the resin to harden, while others use hot water, steam, UV, or UV LED.
Conclusion
The concept of CIPP lining is simple, but not simple enough to be done on your own. Professionals must do it because of safety hazards and technicalities that you won’t be able to know by simply by Googling them. Nonetheless, it doesn’t change the fact that it’s a highly effective process to renew old piping, without costing you an arm and a leg or causing damage to your property.