Plumbing problems are not only inconvenient, but in most cases, they are costly too. More often than not, plumbing problems, particularly those that involve pipe issues, can also cause a great deal of stress. This article focuses on how you can handle pipe problems without unnecessary stress.
Pipe Relining
One of the primary ways to deal with pipe problems is to consider pipe relining. This process is a far more affordable and less invasive solution compared to completely replacing pipes. The best part is that this can be done in just a day for most projects as seen on totalpipereliningsydney.com.au. Thus, this makes pipe relining a great solution for house flipping and home renovations.
Sometimes referred to as cured-in-place pipelining (CIPP), pipe relining will allow you to enhance your pipelines without having to dig up any soil. Rather, your pipes are cured of the inside through the use of a particular resin. In certain instances, the resin forms an even stronger pipe compared to the original one. The resin is inserted into your pipes through a resin-saturated felt tube that is generally made of polyester or fiberglass. From there, the resin hardens to form another pipe within the damaged one. In this case, a pipe replacement is no longer necessary.
- Pipe Relining Method
Pipe relining involves various stages but more often than not, the entire process can be completed in a day. The first step is the inspection of the pipes to determine the extent of the damage. Traditionally, closed-circuit cameras were used in this stage, but technological innovations paved the way for the use of forced electron leak location (FELL) equipment. In this way, better solutions can be designed based on the careful inspection results inferred.
After the pipes are thoroughly inspected, any blockages found will be cleared. In this case, the pipes will first be cleaned using robotic cutters before a high-pressure water jet is used to smooth the surface of the pipe walls where the resin will set. From there, another inspection will be conducted to ensure that the pipes are already prepared for relining.
The length of the lining is then determined before the pipe is saturated with epoxy resin. In this case, the entire length of the pipes will be filled with resin which will replace your old pipes after it is cured. The tricky part of this process is going through the joints and T-sections. After this though, the curing process begins, which can either be performed by letting the lining cure manually or using hot water to accelerate the process. UV radiation is then utilized to fully harden the cured lining.
Before the process is complete, all junctions and inspection pits are cut using robotic cutters. The inspection pits are sometimes handled using grinders instead. From there, the pipe relining process is already completed.
- Benefits of Pipe Relining
Pipe relining proves to have numerous benefits. For one, you don’t have to dig up any soil, which means that you will have limited landscaping problems. Thus, you will have minimal disruption on the surface of your home. As a result, the risk of any accidents due to a disrupted ground surface is also minimized.
With pipe relining, you can also add value to your property because your drainage system is well-designed. The addition of the resin pipe to your old piping system will reinforce your plumbing, eliminating the weaker points and joints of your system. The best part is that pipe relining is more cost-effective than having your pipes replaced entirely. For this reason, you get the value of the money that you spent on your plumbing system.
Routine Maintenance and Prevention
- Annual Inspection
Apart from pipe relining, you can also consider routine maintenance and prevention to help you deal with any pipe problems without stress. In this case, you can seek the help of professional plumbers who will be able to determine any potential issues early on, addressing them as necessary. Rest assured that they are equipped with the knowledge and training to effectively determine what needs to be resolved immediately to prevent the occurrence of bigger problems later on. As much as possible, have your plumbing system inspected at least once a year to ensure that any leaky pipes are identified and repaired promptly.
- Drain Cleaners and Filters
There is also the option for you to conduct routine maintenance and prevention on your own. For instance, you may need to use drain cleaners to help remove some of the obstructions in your pipes. Just keep in mind that frequent use of drain cleaners can also damage your pipes which is why placing a drain filter instead is also a viable option. In this way, you are reducing the risk of having your home’s sinks and tubs to be clogged.
- Pipe Protection
To prevent your pipes from freezing during the coldest winter months, make sure that they are protected with insulation sleeves or insulation wrapping. You should carry this out particularly for those pipes which are exposed to extreme weather conditions. As much as possible, you should not let the temperature of your home drop below 13 degrees Celsius indoors.
- Sewer Cleaning
When it comes to sewer backup issues, the best thing that you can do is to have your septic tank emptied on a schedule. The frequency of doing so depends on various factors such as the number of people living in your home, as well as the size of your tank. A general rule of thumb is to have your septic tank cleaned once every three to five years. In this way, you are reducing the risk of any blockages in your pipes that can potentially cause a sewer backup.
When it comes to pipe problems, there are already various innovative solutions that you can consider such as pipe relining. Apart from this, you should also consider routine maintenance which can pave the way for the prevention of any pipe issues occurring in the future. In any case, make sure that you have the contact details of a reliable and seasoned plumber who will be able to help you address any pipe problems you may face.
