How Plumbing Pros Repair Faulty Trenchless Pipe Lining -

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As incident-free as pipe lining applications typically go, there is always a slim possibility of error; this is just a universal truth in home and commercial renovation, including plumbing care. Trenchless pipe lining, the application and curing of epoxy resin materials within broken pipe walls, is no exception.

Every now and then, pipe lining material will not fully cure within a damaged pipe’s walls – this can be due to a number of factors. Most often, one of two things has happened: either the resin compounds were mixed incorrectly or some source of water has washed away the liquid resin before it had fully cured.

Whatever caused the lining installation to fail, there is no way to go back in time and prevent it from happening; however, there are ways that trenchless pros can remedy the problem without having to dig out the failed pipe liner. In this blog, we discuss ways that trenchless plumbing experts in your area can help you overcome a failed pipe lining problem.

Trenchless Pipe Lining Explained

Trenchless pipe lining is an innovative plumbing solution that allows for the repair of damaged pipes without the need for extensive excavation. This method involves inserting a flexible tube coated with epoxy resin into the existing pipe. Once in place, the tube is inflated to press the resin against the interior walls of the damaged pipe. The resin then cures and hardens, creating a durable, seamless new pipe within the old one.

This process not only saves time and reduces disruption but also extends the life of the piping system by effectively sealing leaks and preventing future damage. Trenchless pipe lining is an efficient and minimally invasive option for addressing pipe deterioration and ensuring long-lasting plumbing infrastructure.

How to Examine Common Trenchless Pipe Lining Issues

The first step trenchless plumbing teams will typically take to repair a faulty or uncured pipe liner is conducting a video inspection. Like any other plumbing video inspection, this is usually done remotely through a CCTV van, which receives a live feed from a small, wired camera routed into your faulty pipe.

During a video inspection, the full extent and likely cause of the faulty lining can be identified with remarkable ease, thanks to the advanced technology utilized in this process. This inspection involves sending a small, high-resolution camera through the pipeline, which provides a live video feed to the technicians. This allows them to see exactly what is happening inside the pipes without any guesswork, making it a crucial step in assessing the condition of your plumbing system. With these visuals, experts can pinpoint specific issues, evaluate the severity of the problem, and determine the most effective next steps to take, all while minimizing the need for invasive procedures.

You may already be familiar with pipe video inspection if you’ve ever embarked on a pipe lining project. This innovative technology is not only useful for detecting failed or uncured lining material but also plays a vital role in identifying a variety of other potential issues that could affect your plumbing. For instance, it can reveal cracks in the pipe, which might otherwise go unnoticed until they cause significant damage. Additionally, the inspection can uncover root intrusions, where tree roots have invaded the piping system, potentially leading to blockages or breaks.

The camera can also detect protruding pipe sections, which can occur when segments of the pipe shift or become misaligned. Furthermore, it can identify recessed taps, which are connections that have sunk or settled into the pipe, possibly leading to leaks or other complications. By conducting such detailed inspections both before and after every trenchless lining or bursting application, plumbing professionals can ensure that they address all underlying issues, providing a comprehensive solution to maintain the integrity of your plumbing system.

Sewer video inspections are typically conducted before and after every trenchless lining/bursting application.

How Faulty Lining Is Repaired

Once trenchless experts have determined the extent of the faulty liner problem within your pipes, informed decisions can be made to resolve the problem. Generally, the first option a trenchless team will consider is re-curing the liner with a hot water circulation tube. During this application, the team will insert the circulation tube into your pipe and use it to cycle extremely hot water; the goal of this process is to essentially liquify improperly cured liner pipe, and cure it a second time over the course of several hours.

If it’s determined that only a small segment of the pipe liner is uncured or has washed away, sectional point repair will likely be the right solution. Sectional point repair is trenchless pipe lining on a small scale; using a small, inflatable bladder, trenchless pros can reline the targeted section of pipe in a matter of hours, through noninvasive entry points on your lawn. Sectional point repairs are also ideal for isolated sewer line cracking, intrusion, bellying, and slightly disconnected pipe joints.

However, if the entire length of pipe liner material is faulty, full relining may be required. In this case, trenchless pros can attempt to remove any leftover lining materials from the prior application, or, if that fails, simply apply new lining material over the previous. Aside from re-curing with a water circulation tube, this is the most affordable way to resolve a faulty pipe lining problem.

Contact Express Sewer for Pipe Repairs

If none of the above methods work, the only option left is to manually dig out the pipe and lay down a new line. While a hassle, it’s the only 100% guaranteed way to repair an improperly lined sewer pipe. Due to the costs involved in excavating and replacing a faulty pipeline, the dig-free solutions mentioned above should always be attempted or considered first. Pipe relining and sectional point repair should always be the first choice for restoring an improperly lined sewer pipe.

Want to learn more about our trenchless pipe repair services? Contact the experts at Express Sewer today!