Pipe repair falls into two main categories: traditional and trenchless. With the traditional method, the repair specialist digs a trench to reach the pipes for inspection and repair. With the trenchless method, the specialist accesses the pipe from an entrance point and makes the repairs without digging. One trenchless repair method is called slip lining. This is the process of lining a pipe by inserting a tube into an existing pipe. Slip lining can reinforce weakened pipes and prevent damage. It can also repair existing damage such as bursts, leaks, and cracks.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Because slip lining doesn’t require any digging, it prevents a lot of potential damage to the land above the pipes. Traditional pipe repair methods can destroy roads and driveways, but it only requires an accessible entrance point, it leaves driveways and streets unharmed during the repair process. The process has very few limitations. Though it does leave the rehabilitated pipe with a smaller diameter, the advantages tend to outweigh the disadvantages. It’s always best to get a professional assessment to find out if slip lining is the right process for your property’s needs.
Begin with Inspection
The first step in slip lining is a thorough inspection of the pipes. Before the repair professional can install the slip line, he or she will need a good idea of the host pipe’s shape. A video or camera inspection can reveal any challenges that the technician might face. Pipes that bend at sharp angles can add difficulties, for example. A video inspection ensures that nothing takes the technician by surprise.
Not All Slip Lines Are Equal
Also, these can be made of several different materials. Some slip lines come from PVC or other hard plastics. Others are thinner and more flexible. CIPP is one example of a more flexible slip line. CIPP, or Cured In Place Pipe, is an excelled slip lining option because of its flexibility. These pipes are inserted or pulled into existing pipes, just like any other form of slip lining. They pipes stand up to certain challenges better than other forms of slip lining. It can handle bends and curves better than harder plastics, for instance. Once the specialist installs the CIPP lining, he or she will heat the pipes until it is cured in place, thus sealing the pipe against damage. The process proves highly efficient compared to traditional methods and can sometimes take as little as a few hours to complete.
Advanced Pipe Repair
If you have more questions about slip lining, CIPP, video inspections, or any other pipe repair needs, contact us through our website or call today at 800-468-7668.