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Roto Rooter Blog

How Does Trenchless Pipe Relining Work

Published on:
November 27, 2021

How does trenchless pipe relining work? You probably have asked yourself this question after seeing plumbers digging trenches here and there. Not to worry though, this article will provide detailed information on what happens. Pipes are often very close together, with only a few millimeters of space. To pull out the old pipe and push in a new one, workers must simultaneously access both ends of the existing pipe. This means digging up both sides of an intersection or bringing equipment into an extremely tight spot.

Trenchless technology has revolutionized many aspects of modern life, including excavation for construction projects. From roadways to pipelines, trenches can be made by pushing ground to the side using simple machines like diggers that use rotating shovels or excavators that use suction devices or clawed arms. Trenches provide easy access to materials below the surface while still protecting against wind and water damage elements. The following detailed steps demonstrate how trenchless pipe relining works.

Step 1

Firstly, a determination is made as to whether there is sufficient room within the pipe to complete the repair. If not, a new section of conduit must be laid down before relining can begin. This is accomplished through all kinds of underground trenchless methods, including Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD).

Step 2

The next step involves removing any obstructions that might remain inside the conduit after whatever digging was necessary. Before the pipe relining begins, asbestos cement pipes are x-rayed at 4 locations to ensure they are entirely free of debris.

Step 3

The next step requires trenchless sewer and drain cleaning to open up all of the contaminated and collapsed areas in the line. A combination of high-pressure water jetting and a vacuum evacuation system is used to remove any excess debris from inside the conduit, leaving only bare metal behind.

Step 4

The excess lining material is then cut out of the inside wall of the existing pipe using a series of small blades mounted on an arbor. Once these sections are removed, any obstructions left behind are cleaned away using high-pressure water hoses. Lastly, another round of x-rays will be conducted to ensure that everything has been cleaned out properly.

Step 5

A flexible resin solution, known as a pipeliner, is prepared and then injected into the pipe. This resin serves two purposes; it holds everything in place while curing (6 hours at 68 degrees Fahrenheit) and provides the necessary strength to repair the pipe. However, all air bubbles must be removed from within the system using high-pressure water sprays for this method to work. The process also involves the application of fiberglass reinforcing mats that are bonded to one side of the interior wall of the existing pipe (these mats were pre-applied onto a rubber-like lining before installation). If there are any areas where additional strength is required due to excessive wear and tear, a special epoxy resin is used instead of the standard material.

Step 6

Once the solution has been injected into the existing sewer or drain pipe, it is allowed to set and cure (around 12 hours at 68 degrees Fahrenheit). For this process to be appropriately completed, any excess lining must not be allowed to stick out of the exterior wall of the existing pipe. Because this resin has excellent adhesive properties, all protruding sections are removed using grinding discs mounted on an arbor. To ensure that everything was applied correctly, x-rays are retaken after all grinding work has been completed.

Step 7

Finally, both inside and outside surfaces are cleaned using grinding discs mounted to an arbor to remove excess resin, bubbles, or lumps. Then, ropes soaked in soapy water are used to help dissolve resin that might have gotten onto either the exterior surface of the existing pipe or the newly-applied lining to achieve the best possible results.

Step 8

A final series of x-rays is taken one last time just before abandoning all worksite equipment. Additional ground mats may also be installed if necessary. The process concludes with a video inspection confirming that everything has been completed correctly. Depending on how large the area being repaired is, the entire trenchless pipe relining process can be completed within 1–3 days.

Trenchless pipe relining is an affordable method to repair damaged pipes. It's less disruptive, has a shorter duration, requires minor cleanup, and costs less than other methods because the process allows workers to have fewer disruptions along with being able to clean up quickly after their work. It's important to note that accurate location information is necessary for the repair work to be practical; additional damage could be done if incorrect data leads technicians astray. What makes this possible is the precise positioning systems available now, like GPS navigation machines.

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