Cured In Place Pipe (CIPP) lining is one of several sewer line rehabilitation methods using trenchless technology. In other words, CIPP lining can be used to fix your damaged sewer line without excavating or digging large trenches. Instead, the damaged sewer line is fixed using just one small access hole.
What is Cured in Place Pipe?
Perma-Liner Industries describes cured in place pipe as “a resin-saturated felt tube made of polyester, fiberglass cloth or a number of other materials suitable for resin impregnation.”
How is CIPP Used in Sewer Pipe Relining?
Resin, a sticky organic substance insoluble in water, is poured into the CIPP felt tube, or liner, and rolled out many times to ensure the liner is completely coated.
The liner is then loaded into an inverter. The inverter inserts the CIPP and a calibration tube into the existing pipe through a small access hole using directional hoses and inversion heads. Air pressure from the inverter allows the resin on the CIPP to bond and seal with the existing pipe.
The calibration tube inside the CIPP liner acts as a balloon to keep the CIPP in place while it’s curing, or drying. Once cured, the inverter removes the calibration tube and the pipe is ready for use.
Can CIPP be used with any type of sanitary or storm pipe?
CIPP lining can be used on virtually any type of 3 to 96 inch pipe from clay, cast iron and Orangeburg to PVC and HDPE.
However, the situation will have to be fully examined by a trained plumbing technician. There are a few scenarios, such as when the existing pipe has severe bellies or corrosion, in which CIPP is not an option and the sewer line may need to be completely replaced instead.
What are the benefits of CIPP?
Proper installation of a CIPP liner within an old pipe results in a new “pipe within a pipe.” Even though it exists within an old pipe, the new CIPP is designed to act independently, meaning it’s independently strong and structurally sound.
While the CIPP minimally reduces the diameter of the old pipe, it significantly improves flow characteristics of the sanitary or storm sewer line. For example, the new pipe has no seams, which virtually eliminates any future root infiltration.
Best of all, the new “pipe within a pipe” comes with a 50-year guarantee.
Ask Your Sewer Lining Contractors More Questions About CIPP
We welcome any questions you may have about CIPP, or trenchless sewer repair and replacement. Call 216-749-3478 to speak with a Perma-Liner certified technician.