Sewer Pipe Relining Options
Once upon a time, a leaking sewer pipe meant digging up your lawn, removing the old line, replacing it, then reinstalling all of your landscaping. The process was expensive, damaging, and time consuming. The good news is that now there are trenchless sewer line repair options that cost less, require less time, and won't damage your yard. The following are some of the available options.
Slip Lining
Slip lining comes in two main varieties -- pulled in place or a cured in place lining. A pulled in place lining is designed to repair larger cracks in your sewer pipe. A resin impregnated lining is pulled through the pipe, then heat is used to adhere it to the pipe walls so that the lining covers any gaps. Two access points must be dug in order to insert and pull the lining through. A cured in place liner is very similar, but it is designed for use on pipe that have previously been relined already but have developed a leak. This lining is deployed only in the problem area of the pipe, then hot steam is used to adhere it to the damaged area of the relined pipe.
Pipe Bursting
Pipe bursting effectively replaced your old sewer pipe with a new one, but without the need for digging a trench and removing the old pipe first. This method is reserved for pipes with extensive damage that can't be fixed with other relining methods. A small access pit is dug at either end of the pipe to be burst. Then, a device dragging a new pipe is is fed through the old pipe. The device breaks open the old pipe so that the new pipe can take its place. The result is a new sewer pipe without all the lawn damage a trench method would have entailed.
Spray Coating
Small leaks may not require relining via the traditional slip lining or bursting methods. Instead, you may be able to have a quick repair done with a spray coating. The problem pipe must be completely drained and then blown out to ensure it is dry on the inside. Then, a small access hole is dug and an epoxy compound is sprayed into the pipe. As the epoxy cures, it seals over the small cracks so there are no more leaks. The process can be completed quickly and is cost effective.
Contact sewer repair services to learn more about the relining options available for your pipes.