The Difference Between Pipe Relining and Replacement
Are blocked drains a common occurrence in your home? Are those sewer pipes being overgrown with tree roots? Underground drain pipes can be difficult to repair. If you’re stuck with a broken drain, your plumber or rooter specialist may suggest a pipe relining, or an entire pipe replacement.
To decide between a pipe relining or replacement, you need to know the difference between the two. In this article, we’ll unpack the main features of pipe relining and how it differs from pipe replacement.
What Is Pipe Relining?
Pipe relining is a new and innovative plumbing technology. Used to repair blocked or cracked pipes, the process of relining pipes has one very clear advantage; the entire process is conducted from above ground.
Think of it like keyhole surgery in medicine. Instead of an invasive surgical cut, many procedures take place by means of a minimally invasive keyhole-sized cut. A minimal cut means minimal damage and scarring. Similarly, there is no need to dig up half your lawn or garden to reline a broken pipe because it can all be done from the surface.
How Does Pipe Relining Work?
It all starts with a professional visiting the job site. A licensed rooter will conduct a complete drainage system inspection using minimally invasive CCTV equipment. A scope is fed through the ground into your pipes, giving real-time footage of the conditions. Not only will you be able to see any damage on the CCTV screen, you’ll also be able to see any overgrown roots plaguing your pipes.
Once the damage has been located, a professional rooter will flush the drain using a technique called hydro jetting. Any blockage or debris build-up will be easily cleared out of your pipes.
Rooter Pro Tip: Don’t have a blocked drain but want to keep your drainage system in good shape? Speak with a reputable plumber or rooter professional about scheduled maintenance inspections. This gives you the ability to have regular CCTV drain inspections conducted so you can be proactive about blocked drains.
Repaired From the Inside Out
Pipe relining repairs your pipes by using a special resin.
First, a custom-liner is inserted to line the drain. This is where the magic happens! Compressed air then inflates the liner, which molds the epoxy resin to the inner surface of the drain. The resin takes a few hours to cure and voila! Your drain is good to flow…
The best part? This ‘trenchless’ plumbing technology saves money since no labor-intensive digging is required.
What Is Pipe Replacement?
When pipe damage is too severe for pipe relining, you may need to consider pipe replacement. Severely damaged pipes need to be pulled out and replaced.
Unlike relining, replacing pipes is much more invasive and often requires some amount of excavation. Pipe replacement is considered in cases such as excessive deterioration, corrosion, extensive tree root damage, and bad leaks.
Depending on the location of the affected pipe, pipe replacement can be affordable. As long as you don’t mind having some of your property temporarily torn up, your pipes will be as good as new.
Rooter Pro Tip: Want to prevent pipe damage? Here are two easy tricks to help prevent blocked or cracked pipes.
- Be careful what you put down your sink. Shy away from putting grease or any paper products other than plumber-approved toilet paper down your pipes as these can lead to blockages. If you do have a clog, don’t run to the local Home Depot for caustic drain cleaners as a solution. These can corrode your pipes, causing more damage than they’re worth.
- Cut or remove tree roots. If you notice any roots that are overgrown or taking over areas of your lawn, cut them back. This will prevent any tree root invasion in and around your pipes.
Pipe Relining Vs Pipe Replacement
Both of these pipe repair techniques come with their own advantages. Weighing these will help you to decide on the best course of action–along with some professional plumbing advice of course!
Pipe Relining Advantages
- Cheaper than pipe replacement
- Minimally damaging to your landscape
- Less Time Consuming
- Very Safe pipe replacement method
- Durable strong repair
- Very effective on moderate pipe repairs
Pipe Replacement Advantages
- More effective with extensive pipe damage
- Better visual on the condition of your pipe network
- Still affordable for localized pipe breaks
South Florida Pipe Relining Experts
You shouldn’t have to make a pipe repair call on your own. Deciding between a pipe relining and replacement is best left to the professionals. At Art Rooter, Sewer & Drain Cleaning, we are licensed plumbing and rooter experts in South Florida. Whether it’s a tree root invasion or a broken drain line, our experienced rooter service team is ready to help.
You can rely on us for all your pipe relining and replacement needs. And our emergency hotline means we’ll be there anytime you need us! Are you in Broward, Palm Beach, or Miami-Dade County? Give us a call at 888-773-1524 to schedule your drain, pipe, or sewer service today!
