Pipe problems need fast and effective solutions, but is relining the right resolution when other options exist? You might be surprised by the answer.
Ah Pipe damage. That stressful, swift culprit of property, home, and emotional damage. We know a thing or two about what can go wrong when it comes to your plumbing. But how can you know whether pipe relining is worth it compared to other options?
Repair and replacement are also fair candidates for fixing an aging, cracked, or leaky pipe. While a professional plumber will chime in on the matter with their recommendation, it’s critical that you do your research and understand what makes pipe relining worth it (or not). This way, you can work with your plumber to choose the solution that addresses your concerns and meets your budget.
Ultimately, ensuring the integrity of your plumbing will give you peace of mind that your home or business is protected from water and sewage damage. Pipe relining often stands out as the most flexible, affordable option. Below, we’ll explore why and how in more detail to help guide your own investigation.
Considering full-on pipe replacement? Read our blog first: Pipe Relining vs. Pipe Replacement: What’s Best for Your Plumbing
Pipe relining 101: How a liner can save your pipes (and bank account)
Let’s start by defining relining.
Rather than putting a repair patch on the pipe or ripping out damaged conduit, relining involves restoring the integrity of the existing material. This is done by locating the damage, inserting a liner, and inflating it within the damaged pipe. Since the liner is coated with a sturdy resin, it will adhere to the inside like a new tube and harden in place.
Put another way, pipe relining is like adding a brand-new pipe inside the existing plumbing structure.
Why is this an available option? There are quite a number of advantages, first of which is the amount of disruption to the surrounding area. It can seem simple to cut and replace a swath of pipe overhead in an easy-to-access basement. But what about a buried water main or sewer conduit in the wall? To get traditional access, your plumber would be digging up the garden or cutting into your living room sheetrock to get to the pipe.
Relining avoids this mess while still allowing plumbers to get to the source of the problem. Leak detection methods as well as CCTV drain cameras are used to find the breach. Relining does the rest.
And since you are limiting the demolition and materials used, inserting a liner actually works out to be more cost effective than repairing (which is temporary at best) and replacement (see aforementioned mess + new materials needed).
Is it effective to reline a pipe rather than replace or repair it?
Wait..the existing pipes will just remain there with a liner to restore them to use?
How is this long lasting?
We can practically hear you asking these questions, so here are a few ways that pipe relining is worth it compared to repair and replacement.
#1: Durability
The internal integrity of your pipes will be handled by the liner itself, again backed by that all-strengthening epoxy resin. But did you know that this resin also supports and protects the outside of the pipe, too? With a stronger pipe in place, animals, pests, tree roots, and corrosive elements are kept completely at bay. What’s more, relining a pipe even eliminates weakness in joints that are natural in plumbing structures.
#2: Longevity
The last thing you want is a solution that won’t last, only to cost you more searching for yet another solution. Not the case with relined pipes. A pipe liner can last for 50 years or more since they’re made of synthetic materials that don’t corrode or quickly decay.
#3: Affordability
Time for some numbers. The costs for pipe repair, replacement, and relining will vary depending on the accessibility of the job site as well as the amount of time and material needed to do the work. But there are clear savings when it comes to relining. In Melbourne, the average cost for pipe relining falls between $2,500 to $4000. Compare that to pipe replacement at $6,000 to $20,000, and you can quickly see the benefit to your bank account.
Pipe repairs could be charged in a combination of an hourly rate ($80 to $90 per hour in Melbourne, on average) and the price of any materials used. And keep in mind that repair work is likely a shorter-term solution that you’ll have to invest even more hard-earned money into down the road.
Wondering which pipe relining option is right for you? Click here to compare your options [Pros and Cons]
Spelling out the benefits of working with the pipes you have
Need some more reasons to opt for relining? Durable, long-lasting, cost-effective relining usually leads the way in perks of the plumbing option. But to help your research, here’s a list with a few more reasons why relining is beneficial:
- Cut down on cut outs: No need to cut into walls, lift flooring, crash through concrete, or dig up a yard, driveway, or parking lot just to access the pipe in question.
- Fulfill the need for speed: Since there’s zero replacement, excavation, or heavy tool work required, relining can take just a few hours in comparison to days of work and repair.
- Boost your flow: The smooth and sealed synthetic liner maximizes flow through the pipe while also reducing friction and fighting build up, boosting your water pressure in the process.
- Prevention: If your aging pipes are perfectly fine for now, relining is a cost-effective way to prevent future damage from leaks or cracks.
When is pipe relining a bad idea?
There’s a time and a place for everything, and it’s fair to say there are a few instances where pipe relining is simply not a good fit. Here are three key considerations where replacement could be the better option.
Location
Some businesses or homes may go through a larger renovation and choose to relocate some of their plumbing to accommodate a new layout. In this case, you’re likely much better off going with new materials, especially while things are all opened up and accessible for a contractor.
Integrity
Pipes take a lot of mistreatment. Consider everything that potentially passes through them (um, yuck!) along with what attempts to get at them from the outside. Some pipes made of materials that degrade over time, like steel, will eventually no longer be able to stand up to the elements.
Underground pipes with significant corrosion and little integrity left for the pipe liner and resin to adhere to may be candidates for replacement.
Backfall
Not quite a clog, backfall happens when pipes start to sag or have low spots, preventing proper waste water flow. The result can be blockages and the appearance of discoloured water in your fixtures.
Unfortunately, relining is not the right way to address leveling plumbing. If the pipe cannot be repositioned to correct the backfall first, replacement makes more sense compared to relining. Otherwise, you’ll have a nicely relined pipe that still brings backfall back into your home or business.
Relining that’s just right for your pipes in Melbourne
If you have a leaky pipe, there’s no questioning that the time to address it is now (if not yesterday). The question becomes: Is pipe relining worth it? The answer is clearly: Yes!
As you look for a plumber to assess your pipework, make sure they’re licensed, insured, and have a history of performing years of pipe relining work. After all, relining is only long lasting and affordable when done right the first time.
At Mr. Pipe Relining, we’re experts in restoring the integrity and durability of water and sewer pipes with trenchless pipe solutions designed to last. We’ll take a close look at the cause of your clog or leak, pinpoint the problem, and make a quick and affordable recommendation. We’re also available 24/7 because we know that leaks don’t wait until standard working hours.
There’s no project too big or too small for our licensed and insured technicians. Mr. Pipe Relining teams use state-of-the-art technology and put customer service first. Call us on (03) 9331 6633 to learn more or request a quick quote online today!
