What Kind of Sewer Damage Can CIPP Lining Repair? How Does It Work?

Cured-in-place pipes, usually referred to as CIPP, is one of the two methods used in trenchless sewer line repair. It is more cost-effective, quicker and less messy than conventional methods of repair.

Trenchless technology has been around for about 15 years, but few homeowners have heard about it. But it is rapidly gaining popularity because it has significant advantages over standard sewer repair.

What Is CIPP Lining Repair?

CIPP stands for cured-in-place pipes. The contractor sends a flexible tube, coated in resin, into the damaged pipe. This tube is then inflated. It hardens, creating a pipe-within-a-pipe that is strong and durable.

The lining will actually reduce the diameter of the pipe by about a quarter of an inch. But experts say this is not enough to impact the ability of the pipe to remove waste from your home.

The new pipe is corrosion resistant, a major improvement over old pipes. It is also jointless. Corrosion is one of the main causes of leaks in sewer lines. Joints are the typical spot for roots to grow into a pipe and damage it. For those reasons, these features add durability to your new pipe system.

Is CIPP Effective?

The pipes that are created with CIPP lining repair are made to meet or exceed industry standards. They last 50 years or more. Structurally, they are considered new pipes. They are rugged, strong and durable.

With CIPP, it is usually necessary to dig just one hole. This is a major improvement over the multiple long trenches that a contractor must dig when he uses conventional sewer line repair.

Is This the Only Method?

There is a second trenchless method available called pipe bursting. With this technique, a pipe is dragged by a cable through the damaged pipe. As it is pulled through, the old pipe is fractured outward. This leaves the new pipe in place.

With pipe bursting, two holes are usually required, one on either side of the pipe. This method is effective even if the old pipe has collapsed. In most cases, CIPP won’t work in a situation like that.

What About Cost?

Both CIPP and pipe bursting usually cost more upfront than standard sewer line repair. But since they don’t require the restoration work that this entails, trenchless is considered the more cost-effective approach.

With traditional sewer line repair, the contractor needs to dig several long trenches all over the yard. That means lawn disappears and trees, shrubs and plants are destroyed. To get your lawn back the way it was requires time, effort and money. All of this is on top of the cost of the sewer repair work.

Depending on the situation, the work also might involve cutting through a patio, driveway or walkway to get to the pipes underground. In some circumstances, a contractor might have to cut through the floor or wall of a garage or house. All of this is very expensive to repair and get back to its normal, usable state.