Are you wondering if epoxy pipelining is a durable, long-lasting solution to your plumbing problems? Many people have heard of epoxy pipelining, but they’re not sure what it is or if it works. The quick answer is ‘yes’. Epoxy pipelining is a viable way to restore your existing plumbing pipes, and it does last decades. In some instances, epoxy pipeliners and coatings can last just as long as installing new plumbing pipes. Let’s explore the durability of epoxy pipelining and take a look at why epoxy pipelining lasts so long.
Why is epoxy pipelining considered a durable, long-lasting repair method?
Epoxy pipelining has been around for more than 50 years. It was first invented in 1971 by a man named Eric Wood. Eric lived in the UK and worked as an agricultural engineer. He had a leak in an air duct over a mushroom bed. To fix it, he soaked a felt liner in epoxy and threaded it through the air duct. This solved Eric’s problem while creating a new pipe repair method.
By the 1980s, epoxy pipelining was being used to repair pipes inside the US Navy’s aircraft carriers. This is because epoxy pipeliners and coatings are resistant to salt corrosion, and installing the liners could extend the useful lives of the plumbing pipes while lowering repair costs.
Soon after, the first epoxy pipelining company, American Pipe Lining Inc., was created. This company was located in San Diego, and they worked with the US Navy on the epoxy pipelining project. They wanted the system developed and patented so that they could use it to protect the piping in aircraft carriers, government buildings, and other vessels.
It goes without saying that epoxy pipelining is corrosion-resistant. It doesn’t interact with water, salt, or the compounds most often found in water. This means that once it’s installed, the host pipe is no longer susceptible to corrosion from the water flowing through the pipe.
Epoxy pipeliners also have a high tensile strength, meaning they can’t be easily cracked or broken. Epoxy pipeliners can also be installed seamlessly. In fact, for drains, the liner is cut to the desired length. For potable water pipes, the epoxy is either blown in or brushed on, which means it is also seamless. For all of these reasons and more, epoxy resins and liners are considered extremely durable and can last decades.
What is the expected lifespan of epoxy pipelining?
Epoxy pipeliners and coatings are expected to last between 35 and 50 years. In a laboratory setting, epoxy pipeliners have even shown the ability to last upwards of 80 years. When you compare that with the average lifespan of new plumbing pipes, you’ll quickly realize that they’re almost the same length of time.
Typical Lifespans of New Plumbing Pipes
It’s important to note that plumbing pipe lifespans are affected by how well they were installed, the degree of use, the quality of the water, and how well they are maintained.
- Brass Pipes – Expected to last between 40 and 70 years
- Copper Pipes – Expected to last between 50 and 80 years
- Galvanized Steel Pipes – Expected to last between 20 and 50 years
- Cast Iron Drain Pipes – Expected to last between 75 and 100+ years
- PVC Pipes – Expected to last between 25 and 100+ years
What’s the difference between epoxy pipelining and a traditional pipe replacement?
If you’re looking for a trenchless, non-destructive way to rehabilitate your plumbing pipes, epoxy pipelining may be the right choice for your Chicago building. Epoxy pipelining uses existing cleanouts to install the liners or coatings. This means that holes are not cut into your walls or floors. If there isn’t an access point in the area, the pipelining technicians from NuFlow will cut out a section of drywall and install an access door. This helps ensure that there are no holes in your walls once the pipelining process is complete.
When sewer lines or outside drain pipes are lined, NuFlow’s team of pipelining technicians first look for the cleanout. If there isn’t a cleanout available, a new one will be installed. This helps ensure that the epoxy liners can be installed, and it helps with future maintenance on the pipe. This helps limit the amount of digging that’s performed during the epoxy pipeliner installation. Additionally, pipelining is much faster. In most cases, the pipes can be lined in as little as two to three days.
A traditional pipe replacement involves cutting out all of your existing plumbing pipes and installing new pipes. This means that the plumbers have to cut holes in your drywall, floors, and ceilings, and if some of those pipes are located under your slab, jackhammers may have to be used to reach them.
Once all of the pipes have been located and revealed, they are cut out and new pipes are installed. This can take anywhere from a couple of days to a week, depending on the number of pipes that need to be replaced.
After all the plumbing pipes have been replaced, the plumbers will restore the pipes to service, clean up their mess, and remove their equipment. However, it’s not likely that your plumbers will repair your drywall, foundation slabs, or floors, and if any holes were dug outside, they may not fill them. If this happens, you’ll have to hire additional contractors to repair all the holes.
How do I know if the plumbing system in my Chicago building can be lined with epoxy?
Most plumbing pipes can be lined with epoxy coatings or epoxy pipeliners. At NuFlow, we’ve lined the pipes of sports stadiums, music venues, government buildings, condos, restaurants, historic buildings, and high-rises. It’s rare for a pipe to be so badly damaged that it cannot be lined, but it does happen. When we encounter a pipe that is too broken to line or that has very thin pipe walls, we call our master plumber to replace that pipe. Then, we line the entire run of pipes. This extends the useful lives of both the new pipes and the older plumbing pipes.
If you’re not sure if epoxy pipelining is right for your building, you can always schedule a building pipe assessment. It’s important to note that building pipe assessments are not free, but they will provide you with a plethora of valuable information. This is because each pipe assessment comes with a video inspection and a detailed report. The report will contain information about what was found in the pipes and the condition of the pipes. We can even estimate how much useful life is left in your plumbing pipes. Along with the report, we’ll tell you if your pipes are good candidates for the lining process, and we’ll provide you with a detailed estimate for pipelining. You can then take this information and present it to your HOA, board of directors, or building owner so that an informed decision can be made about epoxy pipelining.
Why should I choose NuFlow, Serving Chicago, for my pipelining needs?
Here at NuFlow, we’ve been lining plumbing pipes for more than 10 years. We’ve lined numerous buildings in and around Chicago. Our team of experienced pipe lining technicians is well-versed in our blown-in epoxy solutions for potable water lines, our epoxy-soaked felt liners for drain and sewer lines, and our new brush-cast epoxy that can be used on drain lines and potable water lines. Our technicians can explain the benefits and drawbacks of each of our methods and help you choose the right lining technology for your building.
To get your pipelining questions answered, contact us!