Understanding Why Relining Repairs Can Fail
Pipe relining, a trenchless repair method, eliminates the need for digging to repair damaged pipes. It involves installing an epoxy resin liner inside the existing pipe to seal cracks and restore structural integrity. Relining offers a less invasive and cost-efficient alternative to full replacement, extending pipe lifespan by decades.
Despite its efficacy, relining repairs may fail due to issues such as incorrect resin mix, poor surface preparation, or groundwater infiltration. Identifying the root causes of failure is key to diagnosing problems and determining the best solutions.
Common Causes of Failed Relining
There are several common reasons why pipe relining repairs may fail over time:
- Incorrect resin mixture - If the epoxy resin parts A and B are mixed incorrectly or the ratio is off, the liner may not cure properly or bond effectively to the host pipe.
- Inadequate curing time - The resin needs sufficient uninterrupted curing time as per the manufacturer instructions to harden fully. Water flow before adequate curing can compromise the liner’s integrity.
- Water flow disruptions - If water flows through the pipe before the liner has cured fully, it can prevent proper bonding or cause delamination over time.
- Poor surface preparation - Failure to thoroughly clean the inside walls of the host pipe of debris, corrosion and water prior to installing the liner can impede bonding.
- Soil movement and pipe displacement - Excessive ground settlement or seismic activity may eventually shear liners from pipe walls.
Conducting early pipe inspections and employing targeted repairs can mitigate issues, often precluding the need for full replacement.
Diagnosing Issues with Video Inspection
Video inspections, using a waterproof camera threaded through the pipe, enable accurate identification of liner issues.
The video footage may reveal things like:
- Incomplete adhesion between host pipe and liner
- Gaps, cracks, holes or delamination of the epoxy liner
- Blockages caused by debris, mineral deposits or invasive tree roots
- Points of ground water infiltration behind the liner
Using video inspection findings, plumbers determine the most effective remedial actions, such as advanced relining methods.
- Spot repairs – Installing sectional liners at specific points of failure or damage
- Re-lining over existing liner – In cases of widespread delamination or separation
- Debriding roots or blockages – Clearing out invasive elements prior to re-lining
Video diagnosis precisely locates defects, guiding plumbers on whether to pursue targeted repairs, full re-lining, or pipe replacement. This helps avoid unnecessary costs and additional excavation work.
Fixing Partial Relining Failures
When video inspection reveals that only certain portions of a pipe liner have failed or separated from the host pipe, plumbers can carry out targeted sectional repairs rather than re-lining the entire length.
To fix partial relining failures in a specific section pipe:
- Inspect affected areas - Use video cameras to locate and measure liner gap failures to determine section lengths for repair.
- Gain access - Insert repair liner easily through existing cleanouts, avoiding the need for excavation.
- Prepare the section surface - Clean separation points thoroughly to enable proper adhesion.
- Install repair liner - Saturate liner felt with correctly mixed resin and insert into pipe, expanding it against the walls with air pressure as the liner cures.
- Test structural integrity - Confirm repaired sections are fully bonded without defects using final video checks.
Since only small, defined areas require attention, plumbers can carry out sectional repairs far quicker and less disruptively than re-lining an entire pipe. This method allows for simultaneous repair of multiple isolated failures.
Addressing Full-Length Relining Failures
When video inspection shows that a relining repair has failed or detached along the full length of the pipeline, a more extensive fix is required. In these cases, plumbers may recommend re-lining over the existing pipe liner to re-establish adhesion and integrity.
To address a full-length relining failure:
- Thoroughly inspect and measure the entire line to determine the resin, liner and equipment needs for re-lining.
- Clean and prepare the original pipe liner to enable proper bonding with the new liner coat.
- Saturate the new liner with correctly mixed resin as per the measurements.
- Insert the liner through existing access points, using air pressure to hold it in place as it cures.
- Confirm re-lining integrity with a final video inspection when cured.
In cases of irreparable system-wide liner separation or structural issues, full pipe replacement may be unavoidable. Comprehensive re-lining can typically restore functionality for many years, circumventing extensive excavation and expenses.
Comparing Relining and Traditional Repairs
Pipe relining can provide numerous advantages over traditional open-trench pipe repair methods. Its benefits notably include enhanced protection against degradation:
- Cost savings - Relining circumvents costly excavation, reducing project costs significantly, often by half or more, relative to replacement.
- Minimal disruption - Accessing pipes via existing cleanouts means no driveways, landscaping or floors need destroying.
- Durability - High-quality liners, reinforced for structural strength, have the potential to last up to 50 years.
- Speed - Curing times vary by product but relining is vastly quicker than digging trenches.
- Cleaner process - With no digging, relining creates no property damage or debris needing removal.
Relining, a no-dig technique, effectively restores structurally sound pipes compromised by deterioration or tree roots. While fully collapsed or broken pipes likely need replacing, video inspection determines whether relining or replacement is the optimal solution in each unique case.
When to Choose Relining Over Replacement
In cases of minor to moderate pipe damage, relining is usually the best option over full replacement. Factors supporting relining include:
- Minor cracks and leaks - Liners can seal small fissures and weeping joints effectively.
- Limited corrosion - Where corrosion exists but significant wall thickness remains, liners reinforce pipe strength.
- Localised damage - Relining enables spot repairs of damaged sections without replacing entire lines.
- Non-invasive access - Cleanouts provide access for liners without excavations.
However, circumstances that may necessitate excavation and replacement are:
- Complete pipe collapses - Fully caved-in pipes cannot structurally support liners.
- Severe corrosion and defects - Where substantial wall loss exists, integrity cannot be ensured.
- Blocked services - Heavily choked pipes may need cleaning and debriding before relining.
We offer guidance on the optimal and most cost-effective repair solutions for your needs, including relining, selective replacement, or complete system renewal.
The Long-Term Benefits of Relining
The lasting advantages of pipe relining make it a preferred alternative to traditional replacement methods. Key long-term benefits include:
- Extensive lifespan - Quality pipe liners can last 50+ years with proper installation and curing, within a substantial warranty period.
- Heightened cost efficiency and long-term savings - Eliminating recurring pipe repairs yields significant long-term savings and benefits compared to replacement.
- Minimal future disruption - Relined pipes in your home avoid the need for invasive excavation work for decades after installation.
- Optimised water flow - Smooth internal liners prevent buildup and corrosion from impeding drainage over time.
- Enhanced property value - Upgrading drainage systems adds value and can facilitate saleability of properties when needed.
Relining effectively wards off future deterioration and failure, negating the need to disrupt your landscape or driveway. Contact us to discuss long-term pipe renewal solutions with your local team, ensuring decades of dependable plumbing infrastructure.
