What is Trenchless Pipe Relining?
Trenchless pipe relining offers a non-invasive method for repairing damaged underground pipes without excavation.
It uses a process called Cured-in-Place Pipe (CIPP) lining to rehabilitate pipes rather than having to dig them up for replacement. This method involves inserting a resin-soaked liner into the pipe and curing it in situ to create a seamless new pipe lining.
Trenchless pipe relining efficiently repairs pipes made from materials like concrete, PVC, clay, and cast iron, causing minimal disturbance to the surrounding area.
How Does Trenchless Relining Work?
The trenchless drain pipe repair process includes these key stages:
- Inspection - A CCTV camera is fed through the damaged pipe to assess its condition and locate any faults or breaches.
- Cleaning - The pipe is thoroughly cleaned using high-pressure water jets to remove any debris, roots or buildup.
- Liner Installation - A resin-impregnated liner matching the pipe size is installed into the damaged pipe through an existing access point.
- Curing - The liner is inflated and cured in place using hot water or steam to form a new, jointless pipe.
- Cool Down - The liner is cooled so it sets fully before restoring service.
By avoiding disruptive excavation, this trenchless approach allows quicker, greener repairs than traditional methods and minimises infrastructure disruption.
CCTV Pipe Inspection
The initial inspection stage is crucial for assessing the condition of the damaged pipe and determining the precision requirements for the relining process. This is performed by sending a CCTV camera through the pipe to identify any breaches, obstacles or faults.
The CCTV camera records images and data as it travels the length of the pipe.
Complete visual access to the pipe layout enables technicians to tailor the liner to fit any irregularities or diameter changes. It also aids in identifying required preparatory tasks, such as cleaning or root/debris removal, before installation.
CCTV inspection ensures the repairs are precise, durable, and long-lasting.
Pipe Cleaning and Preparation
Prior to the relining, thorough cleaning and preparation of the pipe are indispensable. This step removes any built-up debris, roots, encrustations or other obstructions that may impede the liner installation in damaged pipes or affect the curing process.
Often, high-pressure water jetting, or hydro-jetting, is the chosen method for cleaning pipes before relining begins. Water at high pressure is forced through the pipe to eradicate contaminants and debris. Rotating nozzles can also help dislodge stubborn accumulations.
For heavy build-up, extra mechanical cleaning with root cutters or porcupines may be needed before hydro-jetting to ensure a clean, smooth surface.
Proper cleaning clears the way for the new liner to adhere directly to the pipe walls during curing. Any debris left behind becomes incorporated into the repaired pipe, risking liner separation or cracking. Thorough preparation is therefore vital to realising the full structural integrity and longevity of the trenchless relining solution.
Installing and Curing the New Pipe Liner
Once the damaged pipe is fully prepared through cleaning and inspection, the next stage is installing the new CIPP liner. This involves feeding a resin-saturated liner into the pipe through an existing access point.
The liner, a flexible tube of felt or fibreglass pre-coated with polyester or epoxy resin, is compressed, then pulled or winched through the pipe to cover the entire damaged area.
An inflatable bladder within the liner is inflated to press it against the inner pipe walls, then the ends are sealed, securing it in place.
The liner is cured using circulating hot water, steam or UV light. Heated water between 60-80°C is most common, pumped through the liner to activate the resin and cause it to harden. As it cures, it bonds securely to the old pipe, forming a smooth, jointless and corrosion-resistant new pipe within.
Curing times vary from 1-3 hours depending on the pipe length and curing method used. Once cooled and set fully, the bladder is removed and the pipe is ready to resume service, enabling a rapid fix with minimal downtime.
Benefits of Trenchless Pipe Relining
Cost Savings
Trenchless relining can be 50-60% more cost-effective than traditional pipe replacement, primarily due to savings from avoiding excavation and shorter labour times.
Minimal Disruption
Trenchless relining, a non-invasive method, preserves landscapes, structures, and infrastructure by eliminating the need for digging, thus minimizing inconvenience.
Faster Repair Times
Trenchless relining typically completes within 1-2 days, compared with the 1-2 weeks required for traditional pipe replacement. This results in a swift return to normal operations and reduced downtime.
Long Lasting
CIPP liners have a design life of 50+ years and are more durable than older pipe materials. Their seamless design significantly reduces the risk of leakages at joints.
Eco-Friendliness
This eco-friendly method avoids generating excavated waste and utilises liners made from recycled plastic, offering enhanced sustainability over conventional methods.
When to Choose Trenchless Relining
Trenchless relining is the ideal pipe repair method when your pipes are located under landscaped areas, driveways, gardens or other infrastructure. Unlike traditional replacement, relining avoids the need to excavate and dig trenches, preventing property damage.
It’s equally adept for pipes under busy roads, commercial buildings, or areas with extensive tree root systems. Its no-dig nature averts extended access problems and minimises disruption.
Additional scenarios where relining outpaces replacement include:
- Deeply buried pipes, which would require complex excavation
- Areas with restricted access or limited space for equipment
- Pipes located close to other utility lines
- Heritage sites or environmentally sensitive locations
Consider trenchless drain relining for quicker repairs, better accessibility, and reduced costs in comparison to conventional methods, especially for sewer lines beneath landscaping or infrastructure.
If you’re considering trenchless relining and need expert advice, please reach out for a consultation by calling our team at 1300 349 338.
Materials Used in Trenchless Relining
The materials used to create CIPP pipe liners are specially engineered for strength, durability and longevity when cured in place. The most common include:
- Polyester or Vinylester Resins - Robust, corrosion-resistant resins that create the liner’s initial bonding layer.
- Fibreglass or Felt Tubes - Comprising multiple layers, these materials are impregnated with resin to ensure the liner’s structural integrity.
- PVC - Some liners feature an internal PVC layer for improved flow and chemical resistance.
- UV Cured GRP - An alternative liner material involving glass-reinforced plastic tubes cured using UV light.
The resin-saturated liner creates a robust, jointless new pipe able to withstand pressure, tree roots, ground movement and chemical attack. With proper installation, materials selection and curing, CIPP liners provide a long-term trenchless repair solution.
Compatibility of Trenchless Relining
One of the key advantages of trenchless relining over traditional replacement methods is its compatibility with pipes of various shapes, sizes and materials.
CIPP liners are custom-fitted to match the exact dimensions of the existing pipe based on CCTV inspection footage. This allows them to be installed in pipes that feature bends, joints, changes in diameter or other irregularities.
Trenchless relining is compatible with a variety of pipe shapes and sizes, from 50mm to 750mm in diameter, and materials such as clay, concrete, PVC, and cast iron.
This shape and size adaptability means trenchless relining can rehabilitate lateral connections, main lines, sewers, stormwater drains and other pipe systems regardless of their specifications or layouts.
Its versatility renders it ideal for rehabilitating complex sewer networks in residential, commercial, and municipal settings. Customisable CIPP liners ensure trenchless relining suits almost any application.
Why Choose [Business Name] for Your Trenchless Relining
With over 15 years of experience providing trenchless drain relining services in the Sydney area, West Pennant Hills Plumbing has earned a reputation as a trusted industry leader.
Our team comprises licensed and insured plumbers, proficient in CIPP installation and trenchless rehabilitation, who keep abreast of the latest techniques to provide enduring solutions.
Having completed numerous relining projects, West Pennant Hills Plumbing ensures precise liner customization to your pipe’s layout and dimensions through detailed CCTV surveys.
We ensure minimal disruption to your property or business during repairs. Our trenchless method circumvents the need for damaging excavations.
Seeking expert advice in no-dig pipe renewal? I do encourage you to contact West Pennant Hills Plumbing at 1300 349 338 or send your enquiry to [email protected] to schedule your relining assessment.
Our Trenchless Relining Process
At West Pennant Hills Plumbing, we take a customised approach to every trenchless relining project based on the unique needs of your pipe infrastructure.
Our process starts with a thorough site assessment and CCTV inspection, during which our certified technicians survey your pipe system to identify repair needs and custom-design a CIPP liner.
We then fully prepare the pipe through specialised cleaning techniques like high-pressure hydrojetting. This removes any obstructions that could impede liner installation or curing.
We saturate the liner with corrosion-proof resins and pull it through your pipe network using state-of-the-art winch and bladder systems. The liner is inflated and cured in place with circulating hot water, bonding it to form a new, jointless pipe.
Once fully set, we conduct final CCTV and quality assurance checks to validate the liner’s performance. Your new pipe is then ready for resumed service with optimal flow and longevity.
With every project we aim to deliver trenchless repairs tailored to your site’s unique specifications. For advice on the relining process or solutions for your property, please call West Pennant Hills Plumbing on 1300 349 338.
Our Experience and Credentials
With over 15 years of experience, West Pennant Hills Plumbing has established itself as a leader in the Sydney plumbing industry. Our team of fully licenced plumbers have undertaken extensive training to become specialists in trenchless pipe relining and rehabilitation.
We are certified installers of several major CIPP liner brands. Our expertise covers all aspects of CCTV drainage inspections, pipe cleaning, liner impregnation, winch insertion, and curing. We stay current on the latest industry advancements through ongoing professional development.
West Pennant Hills Plumbing has successfully delivered hundreds of residential and commercial relining projects. We take pride in our 5-star reputation earned through professionalism and delivering customised, non-disruptive solutions tailored to each client’s unique needs.
For expert trenchless relining services in Sydney, contact West Pennant Hills Plumbing at 1300 349 338 or email at [email protected].