Pipe Relining vs Replacement

Your sewer and stormwater pipes play a fundamental role in your home. Without them in tip-top working order, life would look entirely different, trust us! But what happens when damage or wear and tear occurs and compromises their function? Back in the day, the answer was black and white: outright pipe replacement. However, these days, it’s a different story thanks to storm and sewer pipe relining.
In this article, our Killara Plumbing experts explore the scenarios that favour one option over the other, the benefits and what is involved. So, if you want to know what’s better for your Sydney home, pipe relining vs replacement, read on!
Call The Pipe Replacement & Relining Sydney Experts Today
on 1300 854 391
What Is the Difference Between Replacing or Relining Pipes?
Pipe replacement is the traditional method plumbers used to recommend. It involves excavating ground or walls to remove entire pipes or sections before installing a new replacement.
Often referred to as no-dig pipe repair, plumbing pipe relining is a modern alternative solution that avoids excavation. Instead, a trenchless repair method involves installing new lining within the existing pipe.
How Much Does Pipe Relining Cost vs Replacing?
Generally speaking, drain replacement will cost more than drain relining in Sydney. However, in certain scenarios (such as when pipes are located close to the surface), the benefits sometimes justify the costlier choice. But read on to find out more!
Signs You Need Storm or Sewer Repair Work
If you notice any of the following signs, we recommend contacting Killara Plumbing for an immediate inspection:
- Drains are no longer working efficiently and are much slower
- Sewerage backups and blockages occur regularly
- The concrete or paving around your home has begun to crack
- Stubborn mould continues growing in specific areas
- Puddles and mud patches continue to appear around the property
- Pockets of lawn look extra hydrated and lush, and surrounding vegetation is growing better than elsewhere
When Should You Select Storm and Sewer Pipe Relining?
- Damage is moderate—If the drain’s integrity has not been significantly compromised and cracks or intrusions are minor.
- Pipes are located very deep down—An excavation can be costly and potentially hazardous.
- Difficult to access—Heavy-duty machinery can find it very difficult to access slopes, underneath retaining walls, and other hard-to-reach areas.
If you experience these scenarios, our pipe relining services are for you.
Drain Relining Benefits
- Minimal disruption—Don’t worry about digging up pipes and wreaking havoc in the garden. This is particularly attractive for built-up areas like Sydney, where minimal impact is key.
- More affordable—Typically, this process is cheaper than outright replacements.
- Efficient—It is usually faster to reline a pipe rather than undergo the alternative.
Our Professional Storm and Sewer Pipe Lining Process
Using a camera, our local plumbers assess the extent of the damage and determine the length of pipe relining required. We then remove any drain blockages before inserting a bladder full of epoxy-resin liquid piping.
Once the bladder is within the existing pipe, we flip it inside out, allowing the epoxy resin to contact the inside surface. We blow compressed air into the bladder, inflating it and pushing the liquid against the wall.
We then remove all moisture to cure and dry the epoxy, creating a seemingly brand-new pipe.
When Does Drain Repair Require Replacements Instead of Relining?
- The damage is significant—Most of the drain’s integrity is compromised, and a reline is a figurative bandaid, not a fit-for-purpose solution.
- Damage is accessible—It can often be easier to simply dig up pipes lying close to the surface.
- Sydney soil conditions—Sometimes, the terrain can be prone to shifting pipes and damaging them, making an outright replacement a more robust long-term solution.
- Tree roots are too established—If those darn Sydney tree roots have effectively worked their way in and Mother Nature has won (find out more about roots in plumbing).
Drain Replacement Benefits
- Long-lasting—New PVC pipes are highly corrosion-resistant and wear and tear-resistant, ensuring a long lifespan.
- Better alignment—A complete replacement allows us to ensure the pipes are perfectly positioned, avoiding dips or sags that might compromise water flow.
- Eliminates any hidden surprises—An outright replacement means removing any hidden problem parts we are unaware of. We’re not reliant on an existing structure – we’re starting with a clean, fresh slate.
- Potentially higher resale value—If you’re thinking about selling in the not-too-distant future, prospective buyers may have peace of mind knowing pipes have been replaced recently by professional plumbers with a quality guarantee for all work.
Our Professional Storm and Sewer Pipe Replacement Process
Our local plumbers use specific CCTV cameras to identify and locate faults within the entire drainage pipe system. Depending on the circumstances, we can manually excavate or use a variety of machine excavation equipment.
Once damaged sections of the pipe are exposed, we will replace them with the most appropriate and approved piping materials and jointing methods.
All replaced pipework is tested and anchored before backfilling with imported approved compacted materials. New turf is installed to complete a seamless transition of old to new pipe replacement.
Pipe Relining Experts Sydney – Contact Us
For the best pipe replacement or pipe relining solutions, trust Killara Plumbing. We’ve been in the drain relining and replacement business for almost 50 years and can advise you on the best option for your circumstances. Leave the job in our expert hands, and your pipes will be back up and running in no time at all!
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