Cured in place pipe (CIPP) or simply Pipe Lining

Pipe Lining advantages: The most “no invasive” method of repairing pipes without excavation.

Complex water leaks that occur, such as underground pipe damage, in order to be repaired require special attention, study and require field expertise and years of experience and knowledge to provide practical and effective repair solutions.

 Years ago the only solution to repair a water leak would be to dig or break (depending on the surface) so that the pipes are visible and accessible to be able to replace the broken parts or fittings or to create a new “branch” to bypass the damaged points. Now, if the point where the pipes are located is outside, e.g. in the garden, then it is a relatively simple process, but it requires a lot of time and money, if you count the hours worked and the number of staff that will be needed to complete the repair. If, however, the leak is inside, e.g. under the floor, and depending on the surface materials – parquet, ceramic, marble- then the cost is even higher, while there is a risk, in trying to locate the problematic pipes, to cause damage to others. Also many times these broken pipes are located in a concrete slab, or under existing infrastructure such as a swimming pool, a paved patio, then, implies even higher costs and time, while it will be very difficult to continue the smooth operation of the site during the pipe repair.

A bit of History

In 1971 Eric Wood conceived and presented a solution to this -often costly- problem, proposing the CIPP (Cured-In-Place-Pipe) type repair, the inner lining of the piping. The process of lining the pipes involved placing an absorbent material in a cylindrical shape impregnated with specialized epoxy material in the  broken sewer pipe or with detachable fittings, and then – inflating the liningDue to the reaction of the epoxy and the high temperature that it will develop, the adhesion is achieved to the existing pipe in order to harden the epoxy coating, creating a durable new inner layer in the pipe, while also giving mechanical strength to it.This system has been perfected for the last 40 years or so in the flexible method of repairing pipes without damages and excavations that we use today in Cyprus.

Advantages of pipe lining solution 

By choosing the pipe lining method, many advantages are achieved, such as: 

Permanent solution to the problem

-The material is used for pipe lining is strong and durable and comes with a long warranty.

-It lasts longer than a conventional pipe, which means that the return on the investment is higher than the old way

– The internally lined pipe is more durable than a new pipe, according to independent tests. It is also the ideal repair technique for broken pipes with continuous drainage problems, due to the penetration of tree roots as well as the mechanical strength that the pipe acquires after being invested, the re-penetration of the roots becomes very difficult. The epoxy coating hardens and forms tightly in all gaps and cracks to create a perfectly sealed pipe. It also helps prevent clogged drains. 

Minimize cost and repair time

When dealing with drainage, gutters and plumbing issues, it is important to consider the cost. Upgrading is a fraction of the cost of conventional pipe repairs. This is because you do not need to bring expensive and heavy equipment to dig ditches and the recovery process is much more efficient, which means less time at work and therefore less on the final cost. Still, there is no extra cost to repair damaged gardens and roads.

Strengthening and support of existing structures

Because the epoxy coating creates a smooth surface inside the pipe, the flow is also improved. Especially compared to the surface of pipes made of clay, concrete or cast iron. 

Smooth operation in the space where work is performed 

It is the most appropriate method of repairing pipes when the problem is located under houses, streets or busy places such as squares etc. because, first of all, it is a very fast process in terms of time as it requires very few man-hours to repair, unlike traditional methods that require many days or even weeks. Also, the traditional way of repairing pipes includes digging trenches to replace the damaged pipe and determining the excavation area for its repair, while it can be extremely inaccessible. 

Safety

It is much safer as, with traditional repair methods, creating a large trench or hole in a busy area poses a significant safety risk. 

Unlimited possibilities 

It is suitable and can be used for the repair of sewers or rain-water pipes made of many materials such as clay, concrete, PVC cast iron, etc. There is still the possibility of structural repair even in parts where there is no part of the pipe. 

Environmental safety 

It is an environmentally friendly pipe repair technology, which has significantly fewer negative environmental impacts. This method, combined with state-of-the-art leak detection services and pipeline inspection cameras, is undoubtedly the most effective and least “disruptive” approach to pipe repair.

Not sure if pipe lining is the right solution for water leakage problems? Talk to the Findleak team for advice from non-excavation repair experts.

Find Leak