Blocked drains, and all other plumbing problems at large, can be aggravating. Not only can the cost of having to repair the plumbing network weigh down on you, but issues related to damage plumbing such as flooding, insufficient water flow or even lack of water altogether is undeniably a headache. Fortunately, engaging in extensive repairs can rid of these issues once and for all. The trick is discerning what remedy will be best suited for your premises. While excavation followed by repair or replacement was the go-to solution for plumbing issues, a new trend known as pipe relining has emerged. As the name suggests, it entails the restoring of pipe functionality by relining the interiors and eliminating the need for arduous digging up and burying the hardware. If you are contemplating this solution for your residence, read on to learn the steps that are involved.

Camera inspection

Before the relining process is underway, an exhaustive evaluation of the pipes needs to be carried out. Since the hardware is not being excavated, the plumber will use new-age techniques, such as utilising a CCTV camera that will travel throughout the network of pipes and feed images displaying the condition of the plumbing. If the blockages in plumbing are being caused by large holes and cracks inside the pipes, unfortunately relining will not be a sufficient solution because the resin will not have enough surface area to attach to. However, if the physical damage has left enough room for the relining material, your plumber will go on to the next step.

Pipe cleaning and reline preparation

After the inspection is concluded, your plumber will then embark on extensive cleaning of the entire plumbing network so that they can create an optimum base for the reline to stick to. This cleaning is typically carried out via a hydro jet that uses pressurised water to eliminate all the dirt and residue inside the hardware. If the cleaning is not thorough, some debris and particles will be left behind and this will make the reline uneven. Therefore, before the reline is prepared, the CCTV camera is directed into the pipes to double-check how clean they are. To prepare the lining, your plumber measures a calibration tube, which is what the lining (epoxy and hardening agents) will be poured into. This ready lining is then applied into the plumbing pipes via compressed air.

After the lining has been applied, it needs to cure before your plumbing can be operational again. This curing is facilitated by the use of steam and UV light. Once completely dry, robotic cutters will then extract all the solidified intersections inside the plumbing network so that the pipes are interconnected once again.

For more information or help with blocked drains, contact a plumber in your area.