Are you concerned about some information that you’ve found on the Internet, regarding epoxy pipe lining? While there are droves of information on this pipe rehabilitation technology, some of it simply perpetuates myths and untruths. Let’s take a look at some of the common myths around epoxy pipelining and dive into the actual truth.
What Is Epoxy Pipelining?
Epoxy pipe lining is a technology used to repair or rehabilitate aging, corroded, or damaged plumbing pipes, without the need for extensive excavation. If you’ve ever heard the acronyms PIPP or CIPP, these are used in conjunction with epoxy pipe lining. They stand for Pulled-in-Place Piping and Cured-in-Place Piping. Both of these are pipe-within-a-pipe technologies.
Myth 1: Epoxy pipe lining is a temporary fix and you’ll need to have repairs performed later by a qualified Chicago plumber.
Fact 1: Epoxy pipe lining is a long-term solution that can last for 50 years or more. It creates a new pipe within the old pipe, and the result is a pipe that is highly resistant to corrosion and can withstand high pressure and temperatures.
The truth is that epoxy pipelining is a real plumbing repair, and it can really repair leaks and fix broken pipes. You won’t need to call a traditional plumber in six months or a year for any additional repairs. Here at NuFlow, we warranty all of our work for ten years. This means that if anything goes wrong with your lined pipes in those ten years, we’ll send a team out to diagnose the problem and repair it if the problem is with the epoxy pipelining.
Myth 2: Epoxy pipe lining is only suitable for small pipes.
Fact 2: Epoxy pipe lining can be used to rehabilitate pipes of various sizes, from small household pipes to large industrial pipes. The technology can even be used for pipes with multiple bends or angles.
While this myth may have been true when epoxy pipelining was first put on the market, it is no longer true. Advancements in pipelining technology make going around bends and angles less of an issue. Here at NuFlow, we’ve even devised processes for making the felt liners used in drain and sewer line repairs bend and turn.
Myth 3: Epoxy pipe lining is messy and disruptive.
Fact 3: Epoxy pipe lining is a non-invasive technology that requires minimal excavation and disruption to your residential building or commercial or retail building. Most of the work to line your pipes is done through small access points, so there is no need to tear down walls or floors or to create huge holes on your property or in your building.
The truth is that traditional pipe repairs and replacements are messy, not epoxy pipelining. This is called projection because you’ll most likely hear this myth from a traditional plumber. The truth is that the traditional plumber when stating this myth is talking about his or her own work.
The process of traditionally replacing and repairing your plumbing pipes involves locating the problem pipes, usually with special equipment, like cameras, and then excavating the area. The excavation process can involve digging through the soil on your property in order to reach underground pipes, or it can mean digging through drywall, flooring, ceiling tiles, and even masonry and concrete. Once they’ve located the broken or damaged pipe, they will cut it out of the system and replace that section with a new pipe. Once they’re finished, they’ll backfill the area. It’s important to note that traditional plumbers don’t typically perform drywall, flooring, or foundation repairs, which means you’ll have to hire additional contractors.
By contrast, epoxy pipelining uses existing access points, like cleanouts, in order to line your pipes. In the event that no cleanout or access point is available, the epoxy pipelining team will create a new access point and conceal it behind a small access panel. This means that when the pipelining team is finished, you don’t have any holes left to repair.
Myth 4: Epoxy pipe lining releases harmful chemicals into the water supply.
Fact 4: Epoxy pipe lining is safe and non-toxic. The epoxy resin used in the lining is cured to form a hard, inert plastic that is highly resistant to chemical and microbial attacks. It also doesn’t leach chemicals into the water.
Before any epoxy pipelining or coating can be put on the market, it must undergo certain tests and meet certain standards. Specifically, epoxy pipe lining must adhere to the rules and regulations set forth by NSF/ANSI 61. Additionally, all plumbing materials are rigorously tested and inspected by the IAPMO. In addition to all of the testing and requirements placed on materials used in drinking water, the city of Chicago also has its own requirements. Any company providing pipelining must speak with the Illinois Plumbing Advisory Council as well as the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Here at NuFlow, we spent several years speaking and organizing with those two agencies in order to get approval to line pipes in Chicago and the Greater Chicago area. The end result is that we are approved to line pipes in Chicago, providing that we have a licensed plumber on site, install firewrap where required, complete all work to ASTM standards, and have a final inspection performed.
Myth 5: Epoxy pipe lining is an expensive solution when compared to traditional pipe repair and replacement.
Fact 5: Epoxy pipe lining is often more cost effective than traditional pipe repair or replacement methods. It can save time, money, and resources by avoiding extensive excavation and minimizing the downtime of your plumbing system.
When you factor in all the costs involved in having your pipes traditionally replaced versus the cost of epoxy pipelining, pipelining is often cheaper. This is because there are no additional repairs to be made, meaning you don’t have to hire landscapers, drywallers or flooring experts once the work has been completed. Pipelining is also faster than traditional pipe replacement, which means you’ll have your water back on sooner. In fact, here at NuFlow, we provide mixed water once our work for the day is complete. This provides your residents with some water in the early morning and in the evenings and overnight.
Epoxy Pipelining with NuFlow, Serving Chicago
Here at NuFlow, we can help you rehabilitate your old plumbing pipes with epoxy pipelining. This extends your current plumbing pipes’ useful lives and prevents further deterioration of the host pipes. Epoxy pipelining is safe, durable, cost-effective, fast, and guaranteed. It’s also a flexible solution that is environmentally friendly.
To learn more about epoxy pipelining and how it can benefit your plumbing system, give us a call at 815-790-9000.