When it comes to selecting a type of sewer lining for a new installation or to repair an old pipe system,it can be overwhelming for property owners to discover that there are several different products on the market. As repairing the lining of pipes can be tricky job,each of these methods and types of equipment are best for different types of sewer systems.
Some of the most common types of sewer lining equipment are Cured-in-Place Piping (CIPP),Pull-in-Place Lining (PIP),Pipe Bursting and Internal Pipe Coating. Each of these methods can be used on various types of pipes,either to repair them or to replace them completely.
The first solution is Internal Pipe Coating,which is a process used to repair old,leaky plumbing pipes by leaving the pipe structure in place. Instead of pipes being replaced,the interior of the system is coated with an epoxy coating,which is sprayed into the pipes after the water has been drained from the system and the interior prepared for the treatment.
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This is a common choice of solution in residential and commercial properties,as it is non-disruptive and does not involve the destruction of any floors or walls to gain access to the pipes and apply the product. When done properly,this type of treatment can leave pipes and drain age systems even better than new,with increased water flow.
Another type of sewer lining equipment is CIPP,which – similarly to the epoxy coating method mentioned above – works to improve the interior of pipes without replacing them entirely. This is often used to reinforce sections of pipe that have become damaged,but are not in such bad condition that they must be replaced.
This method works by placing the lining into the section of pipe where it is needed,after the pipe has been prepared by thoroughly cleaning and drying the interior. The liner is fixed in place using jets of hot steam,and as a result the lining will fit seamlessly into all the nooks,crannies and cracks that are present on the inside of the pipe.
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Similarly to the first method,this type of sewer lining equipment does not require removing part of the floors,walls or ceiling of a property,and therefore is useful in all kinds of buildings without compromising the structure of the building. This also means that normal occupant activity in the building is not disrupted.
Next is PIP,which is pulled into place – as the name suggests – and is then fixed to the interior of the pipe using a hot steam method as with CIPP,or by using an alternative technique using heat. The lining in this instance is made from slightly different material from the CIPP lining,typically resin and fiber glass.
This liner is useful for pipes which are slightly more damaged than in the instances mentioned above,and especially where there are some gaps or cracks present in the pipes.
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For those severely damaged pipes,the final method of Pipe Bursting is most appropriate for this,as it is aimed at entirely replacing an entire pipe system or a large section of a sewer installation. In this case,it is necessary to gain physical access to the existing pipes,so some disruption will be caused as holes need to be made.
This method works by placing a large ‘bursting head’ at the entrance to a pipe,and then drawing it mechanically through the pipe. As it travels through pipe,it breaks apart the old pipe and draws a new pipe behind it,which replaces the old system as the bursting head goes along.
From a simple but effective coating to a complete pipe replacement with Pipe Bursting,there are many different types of sewer liners and equipment used to replace damaged sewer systems. The method used ultimately depends on the level of damage to the existing pipes and what type of building the system is in.