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The repair and replacement of sewer pipelines is not an easy task. As you may have realised, there is no easy way to deal with damage or failure in sewer pipes. This idea may have been right years ago, but today, advances in technology has eased everything. You no longer need to spend thousands of dollars on pipe relining or replacement.
New innovative technologies have made digging, landscaping, pipe relining, and sewer pipe replacement easier. When people hear about modern relining machinery, they worry about pipe relining cost.
However, what you may not know about sewer pipelines is that trenchless pipe relining repair is more effective and less expensive than traditional relining. The lower cost is attributed to the fact that the new method is not labour intensive.
Benefits of Sewer Pipe Relining
Pipe relining seems like a costly task to most people. But it is worth all the money and is a long-term solution that presents several advantages. For one, pipe relining is less intrusive than pipe bursting.
Pipe relining is also less expensive than older methods of pipe replacements. The outcome of relining using modern methods is superior.
Certain factors affect pipe relining cost. For example, the diameter of the sections that need repairing play a significant role in the pricing of a pipe relining job. The larger the diameter, the more the epoxy resin, liner and time needed and the higher the cost.
Trenchless Relining vs. Traditional Replacement
The traditional way of sewer lining repair requires that you dig the earth and create holes to access the damaged pipe. Doing this creates a lot of mess, and it might take a lot of money and time to get the affected area back to its original form.
Trenchless pipe lining is a great substitute for traditional pipe replacement. It does not damage the existing structure and landscape. In trenchless replacement, pipes have unique epoxy material. Epoxy helps to maintain the strength of the new line. Here, the pipe liners use a pipe-within-pipe system to restore drains and sewer pipelines.
Pipe Replacement Costs
Pricing in trenchless relining is on per meter basis. The main reason for this is that many customers prefer to pay per meter. Additionally, it is easier to calculate cost per meter rather than base it on complicated factors like diameter and junction. However, the bends and corners still play a part when calculating the overall cost of the fix.
The following are the costs or charges relating to pipe relining solutions:
- Cost of hiring labour like the plumber or the one who will dig the earth.
- Cost of materials and hiring equipment required in the process like earth moving equipment.
- Cost of traffic control in case your replacement needs a large excavation machine.
- Cost of running temporary facilities when a blocked drain takes longer to repair.
- Cost of restoring the lawn when plumbers perform replacement in areas with no tiles or flooring.
Reducing the Sewer Relining Cost
Pipe relining is an excellent and cost-efficient process. It can save you from long-term problem associated with blocked drains. The cost of relining depends on extent of damage. Seek professional assistance whenever you need sewer pipe relining and not take matters into your own hands.
You can also get an estimate of the expenses you might incur from your plumber beforehand. This helps you know how much you may end up spending in total. The plumber will also tell you what problems your sewer pipeline has and how to fix them.
If you are worried about cost, there a couple of things you can do to lower charges. For example, you can opt for durable and high-quality materials for your pipelines. Additionally, you can decide how you would like the team handling your problem to charge for their work.
You should keep an eye on your sewer pipelines to be able to detect problems as soon as they occur. An early diagnosis will reduce the damage and repair cost.
Factors Affecting Pipeline Cost
Before you contact a company to do you pipe relining, you should provide the information below so that they can give you the right quote.
- The size of the problematic pipe, including its diameter and length.
- The extent and location of the damage to the pipe.
- Ease of access to the drain and the pipe you want to reline.
- Risk factors, include fluctuation in pressure and temperature.
Relining Cost Influencing Factors
- Size of the Pipe
The size of the line you want to reline determines how much the repair team will charge you. Sizing information includes the length and diameter of the pipe. The cost ranges from $80 to $140 if the pricing is on per foot basis. Some plumbers prefer to charge per meter. In such cases, the price varies from $300 to $600.
Besides the diameter, the circumference also influences the pricing. The exact size of the pipe will be used by the plumber to calculate your quote. You may have a five-foot pipe whose diameter ranges between 1 inch and 4 inches. Similarly, the diameter of your pipe might be 1 inch, while the length varies. Before you hire liners, make sure that your plumber examines your pipe’s size properly.
Proper examination by the plumber of the size and the damage will tell you the areas you need to fix and the reline cost. There is a considerable difference between relining small areas of the pipe and relining an entire line. If a whole junction needs relining, the cost will be high.
- Access to Areas of Relining
Access to the relining area also influences the overall cost. Although modern methods of relining are essentially trenchless, it is still necessary for the plumber to have clear access to the area of damage.
In some cases, if the plumber has limited access to the damaged pipe, you may be required to cater for digging costs. Digging will cost you extra per foot or meter. Single access might also not be enough for the plumber, as they might need to dig multiple times.
- How Damaged are the Pipes?
Once people understand how efficient the trenchless method is, it becomes their preferred sewer pipe relining approach. However, you cannot simply learn about a relining method and decide that is what you will use. Certain factors determine whether you can use the technique or not.
The extent of damage to the pipe and the present condition of the line decide which method will be suitable. If the tube has many cracks and access to the area is complex, the plumber will use the traditional way. Additionally, if you have a cast iron sewer pipe, the relining will not be done until the build-up in the pipe has been de-scaled. The de-scaling is also a part of the relining process. The plumbers should also determine the intensity of cast iron before the relining begins because it will affect the price.
- What Pipe Relining System is Used?
The cost of the entire process depends on the type of system the plumbers prefer to use. There are four main types of systems and three different resins for each design. These four systems include cured-in-place, pull-in place, pipe bursting and internal pipe coating. The resins that go with the four designed are priced differently.
Types of Resins for Pipe Relining
- Polyester Resins
This is the most affordable and readily available resin. However, this resin has fewer advantages comparatively, so this is not the most commonly used resin.
- Epoxy Resins
Epoxy resin is the most expensive of the three types. Epoxy resins do not emit fumes, which makes them safe. This resin does not shrink, so they are the best option for relining.
- Vinyl Resins
Vinyl resin is a hybrid brand. It features both vinyl and polyester as key ingredients. This resin is in the same price range as the epoxy liner.
Types of Pipe Relining Systems
- Cured-In Place
The cured-in-place system is the most widely used of the trenchless pipe relining solutions. The plumber drenches and cleans the inside of your line. Then a jet of hot new liner is applied. Once the liner dries, the damaged area fixes quickly.
- Pull-In Place
This method is the best of the four listed here. Plumbers use it when dealing with large pipes with big cracks. This system needs access from two points. The plumber applies a liner on the inside surface in form of steam. The air blows from one access point to the next. Air helps to quickly dry the liner, which seals cracks.
- Pipe Bursting
This system is typically used to fix pipes with serious damage. Such lines require a quick replacement, and the plumber needs to get physical access to the damaged area. This system also requires two access points. The plumber installs a bursting head at one end and a hydraulic power at the other.
The hydraulic power helps drag the damaged pipe to the other end. The diameter of the replacement pipe might become smaller, but you will have a brand-new line. This system is guaranteed to last a couple of years.
- Internal Pipe Coating
This system is used to fix leaking pipes. Internal pipe coating is quite useful where you have a leaking pipe that is impacting its surroundings. In this system, the plumber drains off the sewer pipe entirely, then treats it using a thick spray of coating. This spray is usually an airless epoxy coating spray that seals the cracks and leaks in the pipe. This procedure gives your pipeline a brand-new look.
Quality Pipes Last Longer
Prevention is better than cure. Low-quality pipelines tend to develop blockage. Blocked drains and damaged pipelines cost a lot to repair. Take preventive measures that will ensure your pipes don’t suffer long term damage. Only spend money on new pipelines, but not on avoidable repairs.
Ensure you invest in quality and durability. When you select good quality material for your pipes, they will last longer and will not damage easily.
