Pipe Relining vs Replacement: What are the Pros and Cons

Arya

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Have you come face to face with some piping trouble in your property? If so, then chances are you’re now having to weigh the pros and cons of these two methods.

Piping gets old as time goes on— it’s just normal. For a  system that is used countless times a day and has all kinds of elements sent through it is bound to experience different kinds of problems as it ages. But while the idea of dealing with repair or replacement doesn’t sound fun, you can trim down the level of burden on your wallet and inconvenience by making a smart choice about how you handle the situation. While both methods represent types of sewer line repair that returns your sewer to full-functional condition, both are effective and ideal in different situations.

When you run into pipe trouble, likely the case, you have very little time to learn about the different types of pipe repair, so we have put together all the necessary information you need because we know choosing the right kind of pipe repair takes a bit of knowledge and it goes a long way. So, before you come into conclusion about the best option to address your piping problems, it is worthwhile to take time to identify beforehand the advantages and disadvantages of these two pipe repairs.

Pipe Relining Sydney Pros and Cons

Pipe Relining is a type of trenchless pipe replacement. It is a fast, innovative alternative of the old pipe repair method that gives plumbing professionals an easy way to repair the existing pipe concealed underground without physically extracting it. These aspects make it a more desirable option for buildings in urban areas and residential homes with expensive landscaping.

What’s good with this Sydney Relining Solutions is it can be carried out with minimal disruption to your property and the repairs completed out relatively quickly. Sewer Pipe relining inserts an inner layer along the damaged section of a pipe or drain which after curing process seals the damage and provides a seamless surface, more durable than the old, and can last around 50 years or more. The hard inner layer increases the structural integrity of the sewer pipe, making it high-resistant to tree root intrusion, the most known culprit of blocked drains, and remove any bumpy areas which can snag passing food leftovers, debris, hair, toilet paper and other stringy items which can result in a never-ending drain clogs.

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We’ve highlighted the key advantages of trenchless pipe relining below to give you some things to consider before you make a decision.

  • Uses newer technologies to avoid ripping up your landscape. 
  • Can be done in a day’s work in most cases
  • Requires only a few workers
  • Minimal to zero disruption rate
  • Camera inspection is performed before the repair method is undertaken to pinpoint the exact location of the defects on the pipe. Ensures accurate diagnosis.
  • A lot affordable compared to traditional pipe repair due to the absence of digging.
  • Almost any type of pipe can accommodate pipe relining, unless it’s beyond repair
  • It can be used for stormwater drains, septic, and sewer, or repair small sections of it.
  • Materials used can last up to 50 years or more and provide a seamless passage for water and have high-resistant to damaging tree roots.
  • Relined pipes are more durable than the existing pipes and are 100% leak-proof.
  • Dispose of old pipe materials are not necessary because it is cured inside
  • No noisy repair and business disruption
  • Extra cost associated with excavation works are avoided
  • No need to pay a landscape professional to restore disturbances

The only notable disadvantage to no dig pipe relining is that it cannot always be performed in all types of sewer pipe problems. There are still problems where complete pipe replacement is the only option that can be laid on the table. Sewer pipe relining or drain pipe relining won’t be able to fix pipe sections that were installed improperly, broken lines, or offset joints, and a few other situations. For example, if the repair required is long and impossibly accessible from the access to the line, a liner might not be able to cover the problem. 

1. Specific Choice of Pipe Material

Trenchless solutions such as pipe lining use a specific material. It does not work with Orangeburg, also known as fiber conduit, which is extremely weak. Weak pipes may get damaged during the hydro-jetting process – a process to clear away any obstructions and debris before liner installation. It also doesn’t work well on small diameter pipes, or small pipes with many bends.

2. Not applicable to other pipe problems

There are some sewer troubles where pipe relining is not applicable. This is because most trenchless technologies heavily rely on the structural integrity of existing pipe to successfully carry out the repair. For example, warps in the pipe caused by shifting soil would restrict proper cohesion of the liner and the host pipe. Also other pipes issues like extensive corrosion and collapse pipes. This is why a camera inspection is essential before you choose the type of pipe repair — having a full understanding of the background of the problem can help you single out not just the best but the most suitable repair method first and avoid wasting time and money on the unnecessary repair.

3. Overall pipe diameter and length

This is a common concern that many have in mind when using Pipe Relining services Sydney on smaller dimension water supply pipes. The application of the liner coating inside the pipe could shrink the pipe’s diameter but only in a nominal percentage, and may limit the flow. However, trenchless sewer relining materials are extraordinarily flimsy and tough. In most pipes, it would take many repeat applications of new lining layers to significantly affect the flow rate. 

The maximum length of liner to be done at any one time was identified to be 14 ft due to resin weight restraints. If damage on the pipes is more than that, it would be best to opt for pipe replacement.

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Pipe Replacement Pros and Cons

Pipe replacement is the process of pulling out and replacing old piping in your plumbing system in order to upgrade or repair it. This is often done in situations where the piping is no longer repairable due to factors like excessive deterioration, leaking, corrosion, etc. and huge diameter pipes. This is also done in pipes like Galvanized. Corrosion products of galvanized piping tend to build up inside the pipe restricting flow. The only sensible way to remove the buildup is to entirely replace the pipe. 

The good part about traditional pipe replacement? It’s relatively affordable— as long as having part of your landscape or lawn ripped off is not a big deal to you. Depending on the extent your sewer line needs to be replaced, especially if it’s the whole system, the plumbers will have to excavate large portions of your landscape to remove the piping. That means, if your pipes are exposed, like the basement, the process can be fairly fast and easy but when the pipes are concealed, the process can get very noisy, messy, destructive and costly. But this doesn’t just affect the areas where your pipes are concealed, it can also disrupt your sidewalk, driveway, and fence lines, technically the entire part of your house where your sewer pipe runs. It is definitely a laborious sewer line replacement option. Let alone the inconvenience you caused to your neighbors.

The first thing to consider before deciding to have a traditional sewer line replacement is that a plumbing company’s price quote estimate may include the cost of ripping off your landscape, etc. but it doesn’t cover the cost of replacing what was damaged during the repair, which could also cost you thousands of dollars to recover the damages. Another point of matter to consider is, if the area being overhauled won’t cause disturbance, then you may find it more affordable to go with a traditional sewer line replacement rather than pipeline relining. Based on your situation, this can highly depend on what you’re willing to spend and what you think works best for you.

So which one is the best? It’s not really matter which of these repair methods is best; the most suitable option is determined by every unique situation. In some cases, pipe lining will work best, in others, you may have to go with the traditional pipe repair. To avoid getting caught up with which way to go, hire a plumbing professional who will be able to inspect the line, assess all of the factors, provide an accurate diagnosis and come to a recommendation for most suitable repair for the situation at hand.

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