Gone are the days of old, cracked pipes needing to be dug up and replaced–now, drain rehabilitation is the smart solution. At M Tucker & Sons, we can use trenchless technologies to rehabilitate pipes in two ways, depending on the severity and number of repairs needed.
Compared to a full replacement, drain relining and drain patching are two quick, affordable and much easier ways to repair cracked or damaged underground pipes. But like everything, they aren’t the perfect solution to every damaged pipe.
Ready to learn more about pipe relining and patching? Keep reading to learn about the potential benefits and drawbacks of these different pipe rehabilitation methods.
Drain relining is a process that allows old, damaged pipes to be lined and essentially ‘replaced’ with a new fibreglass pipe. It’s also referred to as Cured In Place Pipe (CIPP) relining. Here is how it works:
1. Examination: Technicians will use CCTV to examine the old pipe in question, looking for damage, tree root intrusions and excess water. If the pipe is still reasonably whole, then the relining process can start. A high-pressure hose or cutter will be used to clear tree roots and any other debris before beginning.
2. Lining Insertion: A custom fibreglass liner is inserted into the drain from manhole to manhole. The liner goes in flat but is then blown up so the edges of it conform to the inner surface of the pipe.
3. UV Curing: A long chain of UV lights on rollers is fed through the fibreglass pipe. When turned on, the UV lights will turn the pipe liner from a malleable and flexible liner material into one that is hard and immovable.
4. Final Inspection: The UV lights are removed, and a final check using cameras will be performed to ensure every section of the liner has adhered and cured properly.
The drain now has a brand-new lining. This fibreglass liner is strong, durable and firmly attached to the remains of the old drain pipe. It’s a much more efficient and affordable process than a full pipe replacement.
If you need sewer lining in Melbourne, M Tucker & Sons offers professional services across Australia.
Pipe patching is different from relining. Rather than relining the entire length of the pipe, a focused area in need of repair is fixed instead. Because you’re only servicing a section of the pipe, this method of pipe repair is faster and more affordable than pipe relining..
Pipe patching for wastewater sewer pipes can be done in a few different ways. This depends on the type of damage, the material the original pipe is made of and the shape of the pipe in question. The EPROS® method, like pipe relining, involves using resin fibreglass which is cured in place over the leak or crack, while the QUICKLOCK seal uses an elastic rubber seal with stainless steel tension bands to seal pipe connections and leaks.
Here are a few steps detailing how repairing a pipe with EPROS® technology works:
1. Preparation: The pipe in question is inspected using a CCTV camera, then cleared and cleaned using high-pressure water jets to remove grease, tree roots and other debris.
2. Patch Insertion: The fibreglass patch is positioned over the damaged portion of the pipe using an inflatable packer.
3. Packer Inflation: The packer inflates, which pushes the patch firmly against the wall of the pipe. The packer stays in place until the patch has cured, which usually only takes 1-2 hours.
4. Final Inspection: The packer is removed, leaving the fully cured patch in place inside the pipe.
For more information on the types of pipe patching methods offered by M Tucker & Sons, make sure to read more about our trenchless pipe repairs online.
If you think your pipes may have become damaged over time, here are some reasons you should consider choosing pipe relining or patching for repairs:
Because they don’t require any digging, the drain relining or patching process will actually be quite fast when compared to a full drain replacement. Most of the time, the entire service can be completed in a day.
Lining times may blow out if the pipe is very long or if there is a lot of debris to be cleared from within the pipe. When contrasted to the needs of a pipe replacement (which has a lot of extensive digging and heavy machinery), relining is still the faster service.
Patching is even faster, as it requires only one section of the pipe to be accessed and installation is typically a quick and easy process for experienced workers.
You won’t need to put off repairing damaged pipes any longer, as drain relining and patching are much more affordable compared to a full drain replacement. Because these services don’t require heavy machinery or a large number of workers to complete, you won’t need to overspend on your council or project budget to get the pipes in question repaired.
The fast service also means you won’t be paying for days of work. You won’t find a better, more cost-effective solution when it comes to pipe rehabilitation.
Fibreglass liners and patches are cured with the help of resin–and anyone who has used resin for their own projects knows that this substance is extremely hard and durable. Lining or repairing an old drain with a cured fibreglass pipe creates a long-lasting and protective barrier. This then works to repel outside forces such as intrusive tree roots.
Many technicians will give their relined pipes a new life of between 50 and 100 years, making it an excellent long-term solution for any damaged pipes. Patches will last just as long, but keep in mind the raw pipe around the patches will still be vulnerable to damage in the future.
If you’re passionate about conserving energy and reducing wastage, you’ll appreciate the benefits of sewer pipe relining and pipe patching.
As you can see, there are many benefits to pipe relining and pipe patching. Make sure to choose a professional pipe rehabilitation provider, like M Tucker & Sons, for long-lasting and high-quality results.
Drain pipe relining and patching aren’t a silver bullet for all damaged sewer and stormwater systems. Here are some potential downsides you need to be aware of:
Sometimes, relining or patching a damaged drain just isn’t a viable option. Because the new lining is pushed through the old drain, it requires clear access through the pipe itself. Tree roots and dirt can be removed with a pressure hose, but if the pipe has collapsed or is severely damaged and out of alignment, then the new liner will not be able to make its way through the entirety of the broken pipes.
Patching isn’t suitable for heavily damaged or collapsed pipes either, as the patch won’t be able to reach the damaged pipe section, let alone adhere to it, if the pipe is unusable.
While pipe relining and patching generally cost less than a pipe replacement, very long pipes could lead to higher costs. Many companies will charge their relining services by the metre. However, this will vary depending on factors such as the location of the pipe, how wide the pipe is, where the pipes are located, and how much damage has occurred.
If you require multiple patches for one length of pipe, it may be best to go for a new liner or full pipe replacement anyway. Or if you are concerned the rest of the pipe may become damaged in the future, replacing or relining it instead of opting for a single patch may save you money in the long run.
Of course, technicians will need access to at least one of the manholes to insert the new pipe liner or patch into your drains. If either one is in a difficult to reach place, such as behind a wall or underneath a building, the rehabilitation process may not be able to go ahead.
If you need to pay workers to dig or remove obstacles to access your drain and start the pipe fix, then the costs may quickly rise, and this normally affordable service could hit your hip pocket more than expected. Sometimes, a complete pipe replacement may be your only option.
Does your stormwater drainage system need fixing? M Tucker & Sons offers Stormwater Pipe Repair to ensure your system runs smoothly during wild weather.
If you are interested in drain relining or pipe patching in Melbourne, you’ll need some reliable professionals to get the job done. M Tucker & Sons are experts in pipe rehabilitation for stormwater pipes and sewer lines, and we take pride in offering quality, non-invasive solutions to our clients that are highly effective and have a low impact on the environment.
You can get in touch with our team at 03 9736 3439 or fill out an online enquiry form to leave us a message. We are your civil and trenchless drainage specialists, and are ready to assist you with pipe repairs, cleaning and manhole rehabilitation in Melbourne!
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