San Diego Trenchless Pipe Lining

San Diego trenchless pipe lining is a cost-effective method used to repair damaged existing pipelines. It is a pipeline rehabilitation method widely used in the transportation of drinking water, waste matter, chemicals, gas and drainage water. One of the major problems property owners face is aging and degraded water pipes. It begins insidiously, with pinpoint leaks, root intrusions, offsets in pipe and fittings that can expand into failed pipes and eventually lead to damage of the property. The traditional method of replacing old, damaged pipes is cumbersome, labor-intensive and expensive. It has now been replaced by the non-invasive and less expensive trenchless pipe lining method. If you need help with trenchless pipelining in San Diego, contact Brinks Services today.

The Origin of Trenchless Pipe Lining

In the past, there were growing concerns about aging pipes, unsafe drinking water and failing sewer/drain lines making people ill as a result of degrading pipes, some over a century old, compromising billions of gallons of drinking water and waste water transported in those pipes.

Conventional excavation used to be the main method for addressing pipeline issues, and replacement of the old pipes with new ones was the first consideration. With increasing knowledge and awareness of trenchless technology coupled with rising life-cycle cost of replacements, trenchless techniques have become the first option for fixing damaged pipelines.

Advent of the Trenchless Pipe Lining Technique

Trenchless technology is a relatively new term coined around the 1980s when the United States Environmental Protection Agency started requesting that agencies and municipalities conduct a thorough assessment of pipeline conditions and look for better ways of fixing them.

In 1986, the International Society for Trenchless Technology was formed to promote ‘no dig’ techniques. Today, trenchless pipe lining techniques provide safe and cost-effective solutions for the rehabilitation of decaying infrastructure. Pipelines installed with trenchless technology have remained in excellent condition in spite of decades of exposure to domestic and industrial waste.

The Brinks Trenchless Pipe Lining Processes

The Brinks Group in San Diego offers a variety of trenchless pipe lining solutions for pipeline renewal, including epoxy pipe lining, cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining, swage lining, slip lining, pipe bursting, spin casting spray liners and over a hundred combinations of other systems.

• Epoxy pipe lining:
  Epoxy pipe lining is commonly used for water supply and sewer/drain pipes found in residential and commercial properties. The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) has certified some epoxy lining for transporting drinking water and some for sewer /drain pipes. A variety of techniques are employed.

1. The blown-in technique for water lines is the more common technique and it involves blowing in liquid epoxy through the pipe until the walls of the pipe are completely coated. Prior to doing so, the pipes are drained and dried with hot air and then cleaned with a sand-blasting abrasion process to remove any corrosion inside the pipe wall. After blowing the epoxy through the pipe, it is left to cure for several hours or even days, depending on the type of resin used.
2. The second technique is the spin cast method, and it is only used for pipes of larger diameter. The process of drying and cleaning of the pipe is similar to that employed for the blown-in technique. Rather than blow in the epoxy from one end of the pipe, a spray head is attached to a chord rig, which is pulled through the pipe to create a uniform coating throughout the length of the pipe. This process is computer-controlled, so the coating is more uniform and coatings of various thicknesses can be achieved.

• Cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining:
  This technique is suitable for sewer and drain systems where access is limited and there aren’t many connections to be concerned about. These include large diameter drain and sewer lines. A flexible liner of fibrous matrix is inserted into a pre-existing carrier pipe that is to be repaired. Before the liner is inserted, it is filled with a thermosetting resin and all pipe connections are rendered non-operational. The resin within the liner is exposed to a curing element, usually hot water, steam or ultraviolet light. This promotes the formation of a tight-fitting, corrosion-resistant pipe which becomes the new pipe when fully cured. The rehabilitated pipe is inspected by means of closed-circuit TV so that branch connections covered by the liner can be reopened.
• Swage lining:
  Another technique for pipeline renewal is called swage lining. It involves the installation of a new high-density polyethylene (HDPE) liner inside an existing sewer main. The HDPE pipe is folded into a smaller diameter and secured in a deformed position by means of plastic straps. It is then pulled into the sewer main before being reformed, either by breaking the plastic straps or by plugging and pressurizing the main.
  
• Slip lining:
  This technique is mostly employed to line the entire length of a sewer or water main but it can also be used for shorter portions of a sewer and water main. The slip lining, which is also made out of HDPE, Pex, teflon or fiberglass is of a smaller diameter than the existing pipeline. It is pulled or pushed into place inside the carrier pipeline.
  
• Pipe bursting:
  This is another trenchless method used to replace existing pipelines without physically removing the one already in place. A static or dynamic bursting head is pulled through the host pipe to fragment it. An expander cone incorporated into the bursting head is used to push the fragments out while a new pipe attached to the back of the bursting head is installed in the original pipe at the same time. This technique is useful for replacing brittle pipes made out of cast iron, galvanized steel, copper, asbestos or concrete.

Benefits of Trenchless Pipe Lining

The traditional dig-and-replace method of dealing with pipe damage is at least one-third more expensive than trenchless pipe lining techniques. With the traditional method, substantial labor costs are incurred in digging, and several hours are spent restoring the damaged pipe, not counting the cost of the remedial landscaping or interior floor and wall surfaces that has to follow.

Depending on where the pipe runs through, you could be responsible for restoring or replacing structures outside your property damaged in the process of digging up and replacing the damaged pipes. When you employ trenchless pipe lining, all it takes is just a small pothole to expose the damaged pipe followed by the insertion of a new lining into the existing pipe. You can even access the damaged pipe via pre-existing entry points such as clean-outs or isolation valves.

Contact Brinks Services For Trenchless Pipe Lining Services In San Diego Today!

We offer the most technologically advanced plumbing solutions in San Diego. Our team of certified plumbing technicians is trained to handle all types of pipe lining repair projects. With over two decades of experience rehabilitating pipe lining systems, we have established an enviable reputation as the go-to company for San Diego trenchless pipe lining services. Contact us today and our friendly staff will be happy to answer all your questions or schedule an appointment for you.