To dig or not to dig. That is the question a lot of property owners face when considering their options for pipe repairs.
Cost is always a major influencing factor in any decision to do with your home or property’s maintenance and repair, so when it comes to pipe relining, you aren’t alone if you’re wondering how the costs stack up against traditional plumbing methods.
As one of Sydney’s first and leading pipe relining experts, we have seen pipe relining save home and property owners hundreds and thousands of dollars time and again. Here we’ll show you how pipe relining works, and we’ll compare it with traditional plumbing repair solutions so you can see why it’s an affordable, long-lasting investment that is not as expensive as you may have first thought.
What is Pipe Relining?
But first, what is pipe relining?
Pipe relining is the process of creating a new pipe within an old pipe by clearing out blockages and creating a new wall from the inside. All the work is done from inside the pipes through a small access hole, like keyhole surgery for plumbing. A simple pipe relining job involves using a CCTV camera to find the blockage, a hydro-jet and cutting tools to clear the blockage and broken pipe, and a liner inserted and cured in place to create a new pipe.
It is a same-day, permanent fix that comes with a 35-year guarantee, without having to dig anything up to reach the pipes from the outside.
The Perception: Why Do People Think Pipe Relining is Expensive?
Pipe relining is often expected to be the expensive repair option. When we talk to homeowners, they are often surprised to hear the price and the savings of relining in comparison to the traditional ‘dig it up’ plumbing process.
These misconceptions exist because pipe relining is a relatively new plumbing solution, using innovative technology and new equipment that people typically associate with being more expensive.
Comparing initial repair quotes can also be deceiving sometimes. Depending on what’s included, a traditional repair quote can sometimes include only the cost of the repair work, and not the extra earthworks, digging and repair to your garden, driveway or property afterwards. The way pipe relining works, everything is done by the plumber in a single process, meaning there are no extra costs to be factored into the initial quote.
The extrinsic factors involved in pipe relining repairs can also add value to the price. For example, there is a cost that comes with the impact on your life and access to your property with traditional dig methods, compared with the same-day, minimal fuss of pipe relining.
The Reality: How Pipe Relining Can Save You Money
When you break down the cost of pipe relining, it is typically 30% lower than the cost of traditional pipe repair methods. It additionally comes with other cost-saving advantages, namely that you don’t have to dig up your yard, but also in features like its swift time-saving and durable quality.
The major cost contributor for pipe relining is only the plumbing labour and materials. Some other features may influence the price, like how many pipe junctions there are to navigate, and the length and number of repairs involved, but the overall process is a simple one in comparison to digging alternatives.
Traditional pipe repair comes with many additional costs. On top of the plumber’s labour and the cost of the pipe replacement parts, you must include the cost of earthworks and labour to dig the trench and access the sections needing repair. You also need to consider the cost of permits to do the digging, the cost of road closures and traffic if required based on where the blockage is, and the cost of reinstating the infrastructure or landscaping where the digging took place.
The digging, unfortunately, rarely occurs in the middle of a bare patch of lawn and can often mean rebuilding pathways and driveways or re-doing fencing and gardens. This is all without the cost of your alternative accommodation and disruption to your life while your house is without plumbing for days during the process.
For example, if you have a blockage from a tree root in your backyard, this can be fixed in a few hours by professional plumbers using pipe relining solutions. Alternatively, a traditional digging approach could take 1–2 days, pending weather and the availability of labour and safety permits, and requires you to relocate for that time to access running water.
When Pipe Relining is the Best Option
Pipe relining is almost always the best option. There are times, however, when pipe relining won’t be an option.
If you see your neighbours digging up their pipes, it may not be because they didn’t choose the more cost-effective and time-saving pipe relining repair.
Pipe relining can only be done when there is some structural integrity left in the pipe. If the pipe is completely collapsed or very old, it may require a complete replacement instead of relining. Additionally, if the repair required is very long or an irregular shape, relining may not be an option as it requires existing pipe on either side for the liner to be attached to.
In almost every other situation, however, pipe relining comes out as the most reliable, durable and cost-effective solution.
For example, we relined the damaged sewer line for this row of terrace townhouses in Paddington. The pipes were old, and tree roots had infiltrated the cracks and blocked the sewer line, requiring 30 metres of repairs to the pipe used by all 5 houses. If this was dug up and repaired traditionally, the footpath would have had to be removed and then repaired, the roadside parking blocked off for access (requiring council permits), and all 5 families displaced for the time of the works.
Instead, we fixed this on the same day, with a reliable, long-lasting and cost-effective solution for everyone.
Common Myths About Pipe Relining Costs Debunked
As with any new technology, myths and misconceptions arise as people are still learning how it works.
Some of the most common myths we encounter include…
‘Pipe relining is only a temporary fix’
Pipe relining is a permanent, durable plumbing technology that leaves you with a long-lasting solution. It comes with a 35-year warranty, more than any other pipework typically comes with, and has an average 50-year pipe lifespan.
‘Pipe relining is more expensive than replacing pipes’
Pipe relining costs ~30% less than digging and replacing the pipes. When totalling the pipe relining cost, remember to factor in other savings like less downtime and longer life expectancy for the pipes.
‘Pipe relining is not environmentally friendly’
When weighing up the effect on the environment, pipe relining has much less of an impact on the earth than other methods and is a sustainable, eco-friendly plumbing solution. Not only does it require no digging and disruption to the environment around the pipes, the materials used are much more sustainably made, using more eco-conscious products with a smaller carbon footprint.
The Relining Company Can Protect Your Pipes
If you’re worried about the cost of pipe relining and whether it’s the right choice, you aren’t alone. As a relatively new plumbing technique, there are a lot of myths and misconceptions about its longevity and effectiveness.
As experienced plumbers who have been doing pipe relining in Sydney for many years, we love talking to homeowners and seeing the relief when they realise the savings involved with trenchless pipe repair and the benefits to both their property and their budget. From not having to excavate or dig up the area around your home, to having the plumbing problem fixed swiftly without having to relocate while the job is done, pipe relining is the solution to what is otherwise a homeowner’s nightmare.
For ultimate peace of mind, we work with pipe relining experts like our Relining Company plumbers. With more than 20 years’ experience of plumbing in Sydney, we were one of the first to introduce pipe relining to the area and specialise in pipe relining services. Our director even visited the German factory where the technology originated to visit the staff training department, ensuring that we truly are Sydney’s leading pipe relining experts.
Talk to us today to learn more about pipe relining, the cost involved, and how we can help with your Sydney plumbing needs.
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