If you are curious about the cost of fixing a damaged sewer pipe on your property, it’s worth knowing there’s a repair option available that doesn’t involve any digging. Afterall, traditional tench pipe repair can be costly, especially when you have to cover the hire costs for digging equipment, labour and reinstatement works.
Sewer pipe relining enables pipes to be repaired from within, and requires no digging. This means there’s no damage to gardens and buildings, little-to-no noise, and residents and workers may be able to stay onsite during work. Add to that, pipe relining is often estimated to cost 30–50% less than traditional pipe replacement, particularly when the costs of excavation and property reinstatement are taken into account.
In this post, we’ll look at the advantages of trenchless pipe relining from a cost perspective and find out why it’s often a more economical choice for sewer pipe repair. Let’s first understand how it works.
How does pipe relining work?
Pipe relining offers an effective way to fix sewer pipe damage, and can be applied to a range of pipe materials. At Drain Fixers, our typical process is as follows:
Step 1: CCTV Drain Inspection
We feed a cable, with a high-definition camera attached to it, through your drain. As the camera travels through the pipe, it captures vision of all sides of the pipe. We can then pinpoint the exact location of damage, and gain understanding of likely causes. This CCTV drain inspection will show us if tree roots are entering into seams in a pipe, corrosion, and if a drain has completely caved in. In essence, the inspection saves us any guesswork, and we know exactly how the problem needs to be addressed.
Step 2: Hydro-blasting the pipes
If our CCTV inspection confirms the pipes can be repaired with pipe relining, we prepare the pipe by blasting out any debris with high pressure water.
If there are obstacles in the pipes, like metal, wood, cement or tree roots, we may employ robotic pipe cutting tools to remove them. Once the object is cleared, we can proceed with lining the pipe.
Step 3: Pipe relining
We push an epoxy-resin liner into the pipe and inflate it. The liner expands so that it fills the pipe’s internal surface, then is left for a period of hours as the resin cures in place. Once cured, the liner forms a new pipe within the existing pipe, creating a structurally sound, seamless internal lining.
Step 4: Final inspection
We test the pipe to ensure it’s functioning properly, before we finish the job.
The cost benefits of trenchless sewer pipe relining
In terms of cost, sewer pipe relining offers a range of advantages over traditional pipe repair and replacement. Advantages include:
- Minimal disruption = people stay put: Because there’s no noisy and dusty digging, people can typically stay onsite during pipe relining. This means those working from home or from a commercial premises can continue with their day, and productivity isn’t impacted.
- Long-lasting results = no need to replace pipe anytime soon: Cured resin pipes may sound like a temporary fix, but they can actually provide decades of service. This means you don’t need to worry about forking out for a new pipe in the foreseeable future.
- A seamless finish: reduced risk of repeat call outs: The seamless liner used in pipe relining removes the joints and cracks that can provide entry points for tree roots. Add to that, their smooth internal surface means wastewater flows freely, and residue doesn’t build up. Ultimately, there’s less chance of needing to pay a plumber to come clear out debris.
- Versatility = a more equitable repair cost: Pipe relining can be used with a range of existing pipe materials, including cast iron, concrete, clay and PVC. Because the existing pipe stays in place, you’re not paying to completely remove and replace it based on its material. This means the cost of repairing a property is less dependent on whether it has a relatively inexpensive or more expensive type of pipe, making pipe relining a more consistent and affordable option.
- No excavation or property damage = no spend on remediation: To access broken pipe, traditional pipe repair usually involved some damage to the property, whether it was digging up gardens and landscaping, breaking apart walls or decks, or smashing up paving or driveways. Pipe relining involves no digging, so precious infrastructure and gardens remain undisturbed. This means you don’t need to spend on disposing of materials and restoration of damaged property.
- Fewer workers and equipment = lower cost: In general, pipe relining costs much less than traditional pipe repair via excavation, as it requires fewer workers to complete the repair.
Is pipe relining suitable for every damaged pipe?
Pipe relining isn’t the right fix in every situation. The existing pipe generally needs to be sufficiently intact to accommodate the liner, and extensive collapses or severe structural damage may require traditional replacement. This is why a CCTV inspection is an important first step. At Drain Fixers, we assess the condition of the pipe before recommending relining, so you can choose the repair method that’s appropriate for your property.
So, is pipe relining worth it?
For many damaged sewer pipes, it can be. While the upfront pipe relining cost varies according to the pipe’s size, length and condition, avoiding excavation can substantially reduce the overall spend. Traditional replacement can involve digging up the existing pipe, removing and disposing of it, installing the new pipe and then reinstating gardens, paving, flooring or other structures. Relining avoids many of these costs while providing a long-lasting repair.
Drain Fixers: pipe relining Melbourne
Do you have an issue with recurring drain blockages? You may have a broken sewer pipe. Drain Fixers offer a free, no obligation drain inspection service that will identify the cause of your sewer pipe issue. We can let you know the most appropriate pipe repair solution in your situation, and complete the job, no matter the method. Pipe relining is, in many cases, a viable and affordable option for blocked drains in Melbourne.