It’s every homeowner’s worst nightmare—you return home to find a swimming pool in your kitchen. Or you wake up one morning to find your backyard covered in sewage. The mess! The stress! The money!
Flood damage caused by plumbing issues can ruin your home and yard faster than you think, and it’s more common than people realise. Research reveals 1 in 3 Australians have had water damage in their homes. However, there’s a simple, fast, mess-free and cost-effective way to prevent this nightmare scenario—pipe relining.
This article looks at how flood damage occurs, the signs it could happen at your home and how pipe relining can help you avoid the worst possible plumbing issue for homeowners.
What is Pipe Relining?
In the past, when a pipe had cracks, a blockage or a drainage problem, the only solution was to replace the entire pipe. This involves excavation, which can be expensive, messy and difficult if the plumbing system runs underneath or close to existing infrastructure like concrete slabs, landscaping, pools or sheds.
Pipe relining solutions are sometimes referred to as pipe restoration because it’s a cost-effective way to repair and restore the structural integrity of your pipes from the inside. The process uses the latest technology to extend the longevity of your existing sewer pipes, stormwater pipes and other piping systems. This is done with the installation of a flexible lining and epoxy resin to create a seamless seal in damaged or ageing pipes.
The liner is designed for durability, strengthening pipes and offering protection from tree roots. It helps to prevent future blockages by allowing water to flow freely and means that any cracks or leaks can no longer cause problems. It’s flexible, so it can be used in bends, and it’s faster than traditional pipe repair methods.
How Flood Damage Occurs from Damaged Pipes
A backup of water in a pipe caused by a blockage can make it overflow. If the water can’t flow out the end, the only other direction for the water (or sometimes sewage) to escape is in the direction it came from—your house!
Blockages are very common, especially in homes with older piping systems. If pipes are cracked or suffering corrosion, food debris, toilet paper and sediment can catch on the sides and build up, causing a blockage. If things that shouldn’t be put down the drain have been, such as fats and oils, this can also cause a blockage as the material hardens. Even just the everyday use of our plumbing systems can cause a clog. For example, hair that washes down the drain when you shower can gather and make it difficult for water to flow away from your home.
Pipe leaks due to cracks and splits can also cause flooding in your home or yard, either from the slow release of water over time or by destroying the structural integrity of your pipes, causing a pipe to burst suddenly.
Leaks can be caused by a range of issues, from a sudden change in temperature (like pipes freezing and thawing), to deteriorated seals or unregulated water pressure.
Tree root intrusion is another big cause of flooding. Roots can break and clog pipes, causing water to flow back into your home instead of down drains.
How Pipe Relining Helps Prevent Flood Damage
Pipe relining can prevent leaking or damaged pipes from flooding your backyard or home because it repairs and strengthens the existing pipes. It also prevents damage from tree root intrusion and corrosion that can cause water damage. It also helps water flow better, meaning blockages will be a thing of the past.
Metal and clay pipes are more prone to blockages because sediment, food debris and toilet paper are easily caught on the rough inside surface.
Replacing your pipes with plastic pipes can achieve a smoother interior surface. However, pipe relining gives you good-as-new pipes without the expense, mess and inconvenience of tearing up your backyard for pipe replacement. This is especially helpful in helping to retain your existing landscaping and when working under or close to existing infrastructure like pools, sheds and driveways.
Why Choose Pipe Relining Over Traditional Methods?
When a section of your pipeline is repaired, it needs to be joined using rubber clamps. These clamps can deteriorate within a few years, creating the same problems. In contrast, pipe relining services are a long-term solution. There are no joins or seams as a new pipe is effectively created within the old pipe. This stops it from leaking and prevents movement and further damage.
If you do replace just a section of your pipeline, you could also face similar issues with other parts of your plumbing system in the future. If you decide to replace the entire piping system using traditional pipe replacement methods, this requires excavation and digging up your entire yard. Depending on which pipe is affected, you may also have to damage your home to gain access to it.
The pipe relining process is trenchless, meaning it requires little to no excavation. Therefore, it’s often more cost-effective and it’s faster. It also minimises disruption, and it’s better for the environment because it doesn’t require heavy machinery, reduces land disturbance and reduces construction waste by using existing pipe infrastructure.
When Should You Consider Pipe Relining?
The best way to prevent flooding in your home and yard is to have your pipes re-lined before it happens. By restoring your pipes, you can ensure they will remain in tip-top condition for the next 50 years. If any of the following apply to your pipes, pipe relining is the best solution.
- You have old pipes that are still in good condition but will need replacing within the next few years.
- You’ve neglected the maintenance of your pipes and are seeing the early signs of plumbing issues like slow drains, water backing up in your toilet, foul smells or strange sounds coming from your plumbing.
- There are persistent leaks and signs of water damage inside your home.
- You have had one or multiple blockages in your plumbing system.
- A drain camera inspection shows you have pipe damage such as corrosion or cracks.
- You have had or are trying to prevent tree root damage to your pipes.
- The ground is prone to movement which is likely to damage your pipes.
- Your water bills have suddenly increased without an increase in usage.
Cost and Value of Pipe Relining for Homeowners
No-dig pipe relining is often more cost-effective than traditional pipe replacement because it’s faster and easier. Using traditional methods to repair your pipes is like throwing your money down the drain, because once pipes reach the point where they are experiencing leaks and blockages, you will continue to have the same problems over and over again.
By investing in pipe relining, you avoid the risk of your home and yard flooding, potentially saving you thousands in increased insurance premiums, construction costs and replacing your belongings.
Pipe relining may even boost your home’s value and, by reducing the risk of a flood, could help you negotiate a discount on your home insurance premium.
Protect Your Property with Pipe Relining
Sometimes you may have an indication that something’s not quite right with your pipes. A blockage, for example, or water pooling in your yard. Other times, a flood caused by plumbing issues can come out of the blue, leaving you with a big mess and a big repair bill.
Trenchless pipe relining doesn’t just repair damage, it is also used in the prevention of plumbing problems. If you want to avoid a flood in your home, have your pipes looked at now, before the problems begin.
Book a free consultation with The Relining Company online or by calling 0404 879 929.