Sewer Relining – The science that resides in your plumbing.
Every put much thought into the science that resides in your plumbing?
No? We thought not. We already know that pressure, time, and ground movement affect the state of drainage. However, the chemistry and biology of sewer systems can affect you and your property in a big way too.
Understanding a little more about what causes problems is more often than not key to developing the best solution. Your plumbing, including your pipes, drains, and sewers are no different. Plus, a little science never hurt anyone.
Lesson 01 – Chemistry
Sewer drains, due to the nature of their contents, have high pH levels. Over time, the chemical imbalance causes corrosion of the pipes to occur, causing small cracks and holes to form in the pipes or joints.
A cracked sewer line is a problem in itself and may cause minor issues, but when biology takes hold of your drains, you’ve got a real problem on your hands
Lesson 02 – Biology
Along with high pH, sewer drains are also naturally rich in bacteria. Aerobic bacteria feed on these biologically rich nutrients in the sewer pipes. This is not a problem until the oxygen runs out. At this point, the bacteria become anaerobic and as a consequence, produce both hydrogen sulphide gas and sulphuric acid.
Unfortunately, both substances are great at destroying both unprotected concrete and cast-iron materials, causing further ruptures.
As we know (or if you don’t, check this article which explains it), the smallest of openings is like a homing beacon for tree roots. These roots, in turn, force their way inside blocking or more commonly breaking the pipe, causing a multitude of issues for the property owner or manager.
Lesson 03 – Sewer Relining
By conducting a free CCTV investigation, we can not only check the health of your plumbing but what the material it is made from, allowing you to assess the sewer line and prevent a disaster by taking the necessary precautions and relining areas before the worst happens.
Sewer relining, due to the location and depth of the sewer lines, is often the most effective and economical way to resolve and prevent issues from occurring. Over time, chemistry will kill most traditional sewer pipe materials, with some being more susceptible than others. However, the Watermark-approved epoxy-resin used to reline the older pipes is much less susceptible to the potent chemistry of sewer systems. Therefore, when you reline not only are you renewing the pipe, but you’re doing so with much more durable materials.
Sewer relining versus dig and replace not only means you don’t need to destroy your driveway, lawn, or swimming pool but also gives you a 25-year peace-of-mind installation warranty with a 50-year life expectancy product guarantee.
We don’t spend much time in the laboratory, but understanding the science of the trade allows us to work smarter, ensuring you get the best relining solution for your property.
We’ve had a relationship with Ranelagh for over 15 years now. At first, they asked us to reline their nine-inch boundary trap. Since that time, we have relined most of their subsoil exterior drainage. Over time, the building realised that they were actually starting to develop issues with the cast iron stack drainage. Cast iron is now defunct material, and it actually rust from the inside out.
Some of the symptoms that the residents were experiencing in relation to the dilapidated cast iron network were smells, leaks, blockages, and in the most extreme case, flooding. It would have been best if we could actually move the residents out of the building. Because that was logistically impossible, we had to break down the project into individual length reline shots. We brought on our friends from Time to Reline, which enabled us to have two inversion teams and two junction robot teams doing two shots per day and also cutting out all the junctions as necessary. We were able to reline over a kilometre of drainage, do 800 cuts, and remove one and a half tonnes of metallic silt within a six-week time period.
“We’ve had a relationship with Ranelagh for over 15 years now”
If you’re a manager of a building that was built in the ’60s and ’70s, you will have cast iron sewer drainage. Sooner or later, this will leak, break, and cause major issues for the building. Now is the time to have a look at it and see if we can provide you a solution.
Our reputation supersedes any issues that the residence or building itself might actually have. No problem is too big or small. I’m extremely proud of this project. It’s the biggest residential project of its kind in Australia and possibly the world. It’s been a great opportunity not to showcase to the industry what our skills and capabilities are, but also to other building managers and committees alike in Sydney that are experiencing the same issues with cast iron pipe work.
Frequently Asked Pipe Relining Questions
The Advantages of Pipe Relining for Efficient Pipe Repairs
Pipe relining is a modern, trenchless method for repairing damaged or leaking pipes without the need for invasive excavation. This innovative technique involves inserting a flexible, resin-coated liner into the affected pipe, which is then inflated and cured to form a new, durable pipe within the existing one. The result is a seamless and corrosion-resistant pipe that not only restores the structural integrity of your plumbing system but also improves flow efficiency. By choosing Pipe Relining, you can extend the lifespan of your pipes, prevent future damage, and minimise the risk of costly repairs down the line.
Embracing Pipe Relining as a preferred solution for pipe repairs offers several benefits, including reduced costs, minimal disruptions, and enhanced environmental sustainability. Since there’s no need for large-scale digging, Pipe Relining helps you save up to 50% in repair expenses compared to traditional methods, while also reducing the time and resources required for the job. Furthermore, the trenchless nature of Pipe Relining significantly lessens the impact on your property and the surrounding environment, preserving your garden, landscaping, and infrastructure. By opting for Pipe Relining, you’re investing in a long-lasting, efficient, and eco-friendly solution for maintaining the health of your plumbing system.
