What are the disadvantages of pipe relining?
Approximate Read Time: 3-4 Minutes
Key Points
- Higher Upfront Cost: Relining can cost more initially than quick fixes, mainly due to specialised materials and equipment.
- Limitations with Severe Damage: Collapsed or extensively damaged pipes may not be suitable for relining, requiring more traditional repairs.
- Professional Expertise Needed: DIY kits exist, but proper cleaning and installation by trained professionals ensure longer-lasting results.
- Potential Future Issues: Ground movement or new damage can still occur, so periodic inspections remain essential.
- Reduced Pipe Diameter: The lining material slightly narrows the internal diameter, though the relined surface increases the flow of waste moving through the system.
- Maintenance Required: Even with relining, regular checks help prevent minor issues from turning into bigger, more costly problems.
At Sydney Relining, we believe in complete transparency when it comes to plumbing solutions. Customer service is our number one priority, and part of delivering exceptional service is making sure our clients fully understand every aspect of a project before committing; especially if the project involves pipe relining. While this cutting-edge technology offers a host of advantages, it also has potential drawbacks you should know about. In the article, we’ll walk you through some of the most common disadvantages of pipe relining so you can make an informed decision. By openly discussing the pros and cons, we strive to give our customers the confidence they deserve when planning any pipe repair or maintenance work.
Pipe relining has gained significant popularity among Sydney homeowners as a modern, minimally invasive way to restore damaged or aging pipes. By creating a new, seamless lining within the existing pipe structure, it often reduces the need for extensive excavation and can help extend the life of your plumbing system. However, despite its many advantages, pipe relining isn’t a perfect solution for every scenario. In this article, we’ll delve deeper into the potential disadvantages to help you make an informed decision.
Higher Upfront Costs
One of the most common concerns about pipe relining is the initial expense. Because the process involves specialised materials—like epoxy resins, liners, and curing technology—and requires expert training, the price tag can be higher than quick or temporary fixes.
- Specialised Equipment: Professional plumbers use state-of-the-art cameras, hydro-jetting tools, and curing systems to ensure the liner bonds correctly inside your existing pipes. These specialised pieces of equipment add to the overall cost of the service.
- Long-Term Savings vs. Short-Term Costs: While cheaper solutions might appeal to homeowners with tighter budgets, those fixes often only delay the need for more comprehensive repairs. Pipe relining’s durability can reduce the likelihood of future breakdowns, potentially saving you money over time.
- Return on Investment: Many Sydney property owners view pipe relining as an investment. Reducing ongoing maintenance needs and avoiding frequent plumbing emergencies can make the upfront outlay worthwhile in the long run.
- Still cheaper than traditional excavation: It is important to note though, however, pipe relining is still 50% – 75% cheaper than excavating the same amount of pipework. A temporary fix refers to a small excavation of just one short section rather than the rehabilitation of an entire part of the system (or all of that system).
Unsuitability for Severely Collapsed Pipes
While pipe relining can resolve many structural issues—cracks, leaks, root intrusion, and minor collapses—there are some limits.
- Extent of Damage: In cases where the pipe is severely/completely collapsed, there may be no host pipe for the relining to pass through or adhere to. In this case a small spot excavation will be required before any possible pipe relining can commence.
- Detailed Pre-Inspection: A thorough inspection using CCTV technology helps determine whether your pipes are suitable candidates for relining. If the assessment shows extensive damage, a partial or full pipe replacement might be necessary instead.
- Hybrid Solutions: Sometimes, a hybrid approach can be considered. For instance, if only part of your piping is severely damaged, that section might need a traditional repair or replacement before the remaining portions can be relined.
Requires Professional Expertise
Although do-it-yourself relining kits are available, the actual pipe relining process is complex and legally demands professional expertise to ensure a high-quality, long-lasting result.
- Specialist Knowledge: Plumbers trained in pipe relining know which type of resin and liner material will best suit your specific pipe material—be it PVC, cast iron, or earthenware. They also understand local plumbing regulations to ensure compliance with Australian Standards.
- Fault Diagnosis: Inexperienced installers may overlook minor defects—like hairline cracks or partial obstructions—that could compromise the effectiveness of the lining. Certified professionals use advanced diagnostic tools to spot these issues before starting work.
- Precision in Preparation: Proper cleaning of the existing pipes is critical so that the new liner can adhere correctly. Hydro-jetting is often used to remove grease, roots, or mineral buildup. Missing this step or doing it incorrectly might lead to a failed liner after installation.
Potential for Future Issues
While pipe relining is designed to be a long-term solution, it’s not entirely immune to future complications.
- Ground Movement: Sydney’s diverse soil conditions—from sandy coastal areas to expansive clay soils—can shift over time. Although pipe relining is more flexible than the host pipe, if the earth around your pipes shifts significantly, it might place added stress on the relined sections, potentially leading to problems in the future.
- New Damage: External factors, such as heavy construction near your property, can still cause new damage to even a relined pipe. Regular landscaping checks and plumbing inspections can help reduce these risks.
- Maintenance Remains Key: Although relined pipes typically require less frequent maintenance than older plumbing systems, routine inspections and cleaning can catch minor issues before they escalate.
Possible Reduction in Internal Diameter
Depending on the thickness of the liner, pipe relining can slightly reduce the internal diameter of your pipes.
- Minimal Impact: For most residential plumbing systems, the reduction is generally negligible and doesn’t significantly affect water flow or drainage capacity. The new lining material will even increase the flow due to the new smoother surface.
- Older or Narrow Pipes: Properties with already narrow or heavily scaled pipes might already notice a small drop in flow rate, particularly if there are additional constraints like high water pressure demands or multiple occupants. Preparing these pipes correctly and descaling them before relining will alleviate many of these issues
- Material Choice: Discuss liner thickness with your plumber. Thinner-but-durable materials can still offer structural integrity while preserving as much of the pipe’s original diameter as possible.
Not a “Set and Forget” Solution
Despite the convenience it offers, pipe relining doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll never face plumbing issues again.
- Routine Plumbing Checks: Just like any plumbing system, relined pipes benefit from periodic camera inspections to confirm that everything remains in good shape.
- Potential Warranty Limitations: Different materials and installers offer varying warranty terms. Make sure you understand the conditions of your coverage and adhere to recommended maintenance schedules to maintain any warranty benefits.
- Proactive Care: Simple measures—like properly disposing of cooking fats or minimising harsh chemical use—can help keep your newly relined pipes in top condition.
Making an Informed Decision
Choosing pipe relining for your Sydney property can be an excellent long-term investment—particularly for reducing excavation and preserving landscaping or indoor flooring. Nonetheless, it’s vital to weigh these potential drawbacks:
- Higher Upfront Costs vs Band-Aid Fixes
- Unsuitability for Severe Damage
- Professional Expertise Required
- Potential Future Issues
- Slight Reduction in Diameter
- Some Maintenance Needs
By fully understanding both the advantages and disadvantages, you can decide whether pipe relining is the best solution for your unique plumbing situation. Consulting with experienced professionals—like the team at Sydney Relining—ensures a comprehensive evaluation of your system and the right recommendations to meet your needs.
Final Thoughts
While pipe relining offers a host of benefits, including minimal disruption to your property and long-lasting results, it’s not a one-size-fits-all remedy. Be sure to have your pipes thoroughly inspected and discuss all possible solutions with a qualified plumber. With the right guidance, you can strike the perfect balance between upfront costs and long-term performance, ensuring your home’s plumbing remains in top shape for years to come.
Sydney Relining Case Studies
Dive Deeper Into Our Client Work
Pipe Relining and repairing multiple faults in one comprehensive residential project
The cost-effective solution avoided disruption, removing long-standing faults and preventing future issues
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.
