Underground pipes are essential components of many buildings. They provide the basic services needed for day-to-day life, such as water supply, sewage disposal, and gas delivery. Unfortunately, these pipes can become damaged over time due to corrosion or other factors.
When this happens, it can have serious consequences, including poor water quality, contaminated soil and groundwater, and health hazards. To prevent these issues from occurring, it is important to repair damaged underground pipes as soon as possible.
The traditional way of repairing pipelines is to dig up the yard, break through concrete or asphalt, and manually replace the pipes. This requires significant disruption to the landscape and can be expensive and time-consuming. CIPP (Cured-In-Place Pipe) is an innovative new way to repair underground pipes without digging them up.
What you will learn at the end of this post is that you have a clear understanding of what CIPP is, its benefits, the process, and how Rhino Rooters can help you with clogged pipes.
Table of Contents
What is CIPP?
CIPP stands for cured-in-place piping and is a trenchless method of repairing damaged underground pipes. CIPP involves inserting a flexible, resin-saturated liner into the existing pipe, which is then cured with hot water, steam, ultraviolet light, or pressure. This process seals off any cracks or leaks in the pipe, allowing it to function as normal.
CIPP is a superior and much more efficient and cost-effective solution than traditional pipe repair methods, such as open-cutting or pipe bursting. The liner used in CIPP does not require access to the full length of the damaged pipeline, reducing labor costs and time associated with excavation.
On the other hand, traditional repair methods require a large amount of excavation and labor to replace or repair damaged pipelines. This often involves digging, breaking up concrete slabs, jackhammering asphalt pavers, and more. This can be an expensive and time-consuming process.
The Causes of Pipe Damage
The most common cause of pipe damage is corrosion due to age and wear and tear. As the years pass by, the metal pipes that make up much of our infrastructure will inevitably corrode away, leaving them vulnerable to ruptures that can lead to costly repairs or even complete system failures. Furthermore, corrosion can also be caused by high levels of mineral content in the water passing through; this is especially true with copper piping systems.
In addition to corrosion-related issues, soil shifting is also a major cause of pipe damage, especially in areas prone to seismic activity or heavy rains. When soil shifts around an underground pipe network (e.g., due to an earthquake or flooding), it can put immense strain on those pipes, which may eventually lead to ruptures or breaks in the lines. Finally, erosion caused by the movement of water (e.g., during floods) can also damage underground pipes over time if they’re not properly shielded from its effects.
Underground Pipe Repair with CIPP vs Traditional Pipe Repair: A Comparison of Efficiency and Cost
CIPP has many advantages over traditional pipe repair methods, including:
Cost Efficiency
One of the greatest benefits of CIPP cured-in-place pipe is that it saves money. Traditional methods such as excavation can be messy, expensive, and time-consuming. With CIPP, there is minimal disruption to the area, and it can be completed in significantly less time than traditional methods. This saves on labor costs as well as other associated costs such as additional materials, equipment rental fees, surface restoration fees, and more.
Time
CIPP repairs can be completed in a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods. This greatly reduces disruption to the landscape and allows for quicker repairs.
Traditional pipe repair methods often take days or weeks to complete due to the significant amount of work required for the excavation and replacement of pipes.
Risk Reduction
When using traditional methods for repairing pipes, such as excavation, there is a greater risk of damaging other components of your plumbing system or even other parts of your property, such as landscaping or the foundation itself. With CIPP cured-in-place pipe technology, these risks are drastically reduced because the existing piping system is not disturbed during installation. This means that there will be no damage to any adjacent pipes or structures since all work takes place within the existing pipeline instead of outside it.
Durability
CIPP repairs are extremely durable. The resin used in the liner cures to form a strong bond with the existing pipe, creating a watertight seal. This ensures that there will be no future leaks or corrosion of the pipes for many years to come. Traditional pipe repair methods do not provide the same level of durability and protection as CIPP because they involve replacing piping rather than sealing it off from within.
How Does CIPP Work?
The process begins with:
Preparation of the Pipe
The first step in the CIPP process is to ensure that the existing pipe is properly prepared before any repairs are made. This involves using a variety of tools, such as rooter machines and high-pressure water jets, to remove any debris or roots that may be blocking the pipe. All obstructions must be removed, as this will make it easier for the liner to be inserted into the pipe.
Insertion of Liner
Once the pipe has been cleared of any blockages, it’s time to insert the liner. This is typically done using an air bladder or a mechanical winch system, both of which can be used to insert and position the liner within the host pipe. Once in place, it’s important to ensure that there are no gaps between the liner and the host pipe wall, as this could cause leakage in future repairs.
Resin Infusion
After the liner is correctly positioned within the host pipe, it’s time to start infusing it with resin. Typically, this resin will be heated before being injected into the liner so that it can cure quicker once inside. The amount of resin required will depend on both the size and shape of your pipeline repair needs; however, typically enough resin should be infused so that, when fully cured, it creates a seamless lining within your pipeline system. After the infusion has been completed, you can move on to curing.
Curing
After all the other steps have been completed, you can begin curing your CIPP solution! Typically, this will involve heating either hot water or steam through different methods, such as external heaters or inline electric heaters, until desired temperatures are reached throughout your pipeline system (typically 180 degrees Fahrenheit).
Once optimal temperatures have been reached throughout your pipeline system, curing times can vary from approximately 10 minutes up to several hours, depending on your exact project requirements! At this point, you’ll know that your CIPP solution has been successfully installed.
What can homeowners expect during the repair process?
Homeowners may experience minimal disruption during the CIPP repair process. The only major disruption will come from accessing the pipe, which may involve digging a small access point, but this should be much less disruptive than traditional open-cut or pipe-bursting repairs.
The process of installing the liner is quick and efficient, so disruptions to everyday life should be kept to a minimum. Homeowners can expect their water service to remain uninterrupted throughout the repair process. After installation and curing are complete, homeowners will have a fully functioning pipeline with no need for further repairs.
Say Goodbye to Traditional Pipe Repair: Choose Innovative CIPP
The key benefits of CIPP include no excavation disruption, increased strength and durability of the existing pipe, and cost savings compared to traditional repair methods.
Homeowners who are considering repairing their pipelines should consider CIPP as a viable option. To ensure optimal results from CIPP repairs, hiring a professional contractor is highly recommended since they have the expertise needed to perform quality work that meets safety standards and regulations.
At Rhino Rooter, we are experts in CIPP and can ensure your underground pipelines are repaired quickly, efficiently, and cost-effectively. Our team of experienced professionals will assess the damage to the pipeline and determine the most suitable repair method based on its condition.
We provide a range of services to help keep your pipes functioning properly, including drain cleaning, pipe lining, and general plumbing repairs. We use only the highest quality materials for our repairs, so you can rest assured that your pipelines will be restored to their former glory. Contact us today to see how we can help you with clogged pipes or any other plumbing issue!
