CURED IN PLACE PIPE (CIPP)
What is CIPP lining?
The cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining is a process to rehabilitate existing sewer pipes, due to age, cracks or leaks. This rehabilitation is done to avoid having to replace the pipes and has been used for over 40 years throughout the United States.
How is the pipe lining installed?
The pipe lining process is a three step process:
1. Cleaning and Inspection: Prior to lining the existing sewer, it is cleaned using a sewer snake with the appropriate sized cutting heads to remove roots and other blockages within the pipe. Also, a video camera is used to inspect the cleaning and record the condition of the sewer pipe.
2. Pipe Lining: The process starts with a two part epoxy soaked felt liner and a separate flexible liner (also called a calibration tube) that is rolled up in a machine called an inverter. Then air pressure or steam is forced into the liner, feeding the liner out of the machine and pushing the felt soaked liner tightly against the existing sewer walls. The heat causes the liner material to cure creating a new pipe within the existing sewer that is free of cracks, holes, and joints.
3. Once cured: The flexible calibration tube is pulled out leaving a perfect new sewer pipe within the old pipe. Again, the new sewer is video inspected to make sure new pipe set up properly and to make sure it is free flowing.
Why line the sewer?
By lining the sewer, you will avoid the hassle and mess of excavating your yard. In addition, the lining process can be performed under driveways, through basement clean outs, under trees, and through landscaping further avoiding damages caused by digging.
What are the benefits of CIPP?
• CIPP allows for pipes to be rehabilitated in place of traditional replacement that requires excavation and disturbs the surrounding neighborhoods and businesses.
• CIPP is usually less expensive excavating and replacing the existing pipe
• CIPP allows for an increased sewer flow capacity
• CIPP has a 50-year design life
• CIPP is completed in one day unlike traditional digging which could take up to a week or more
How long will the installation take?
The actual pipe lining process typically takes less than one day to complete.
How will I be affected?
Customers may not use water or sewer for around 4 hours while liner fully cures.