DIY vs Professional Pipe Relining

Introduction to Pipe Relining: Why It Matters

Pipe lining is a trenchless method of reinforcing pipes and gas lines in your home from the inside out, without the need for extensive excavation or pipe replacement. It involves coating the inside of the existing pipe which then functions as a stable, new pipe within the old one.

There are several key benefits of pipe relining compared to traditional pipe replacement:

• Less disruptive - executes the task within a condensed time frame with no need for excavation or damage to floors, driveways etc.
• Faster - Even blocked drains can be relined in hours or days rather than weeks
• Cost-effective - It can extend life your pipes and relining vs pipe replacement averages 50% less in expenses
• Extends the life of your pipes and ensures your drains can function smoothly for upwards of 50 more years

With the goal of preserving the integrity of your plumbing and fix your draining issues without resorting to major plumbing projects, this article examines whether DIY attempts at pipe relining are advisable or if a professional plumber’s expertise is essential. We’ll analyse the methods, costs and effectiveness of both options to help homeowners decide which best suits the needs of your drain system.

Comparing DIY vs Professional Pipe Relining

Analysis of DIY Pipe Relining

For the resourceful homeowner who wants to know what goes into pipe relining and attempts it on your own using remedies like baking soda, it may feel like a savvy cost-saving measure. Home improvement stores sell epoxy resin kits or suggest mixing in a cup vinegar concoction for under $100 that claims to reinforce pipe walls. However, the reality is that DIY drain attempts often fail or cause further issues if not done with the correct type pipe in mind, negating the possibility of a same day fix.

Key downsides of DIY pipe relining include risks of money going down drain, due to inadequate repairs:

• Lack of experience can help explain why Pipe relining requires a skilled technique to thoroughly coat pipes.
• Inadequate preparation - Failing to fully clean pipes of debris can affect epoxy bonding.
• Subpar materials - Cheap epoxy kits have quality issues leading to cracks or leaks later.
• No structural checks - DIYers cannot assess if serious damage your needs replacement, a task suited for a licensed plumber.

Benefits of Professional Pipe Relining

Licensed plumbers come with the benefits of extensive knowledge about your pipes and training in trenchless sewer repair techniques. Using professional-grade materials and equipment, the necessary work is carried out to provide structural reinforcement and long-term viability of your sewer pipes.

Key benefits pipe relining offers when conducted by a professional include:

• Experienced techniques for proper grounding and sealing of plumbing pipe applications.
• Structural pipe evaluations beforehand.
• Industrial strength epoxy resins that bond securely to the existing pipe material, exceeding DIY kit quality.
• Better value over full pipe replacement.
• Warranties against defects for years after.

For complex jobs that your property owners face like damage to your sewer line with tree root damage or broken pipes, it often requires professionals to first use pipe bursting or drain cleaning equipment. Then, ensuring the integrity of your stormwater drains with undamaged pipes, pipe relining provides a robust interior seal.

When to Call the Professionals

In summary, factors like large-scale plumbing problems, complex pipe layouts, and the need for structural accuracy call out the deficiencies of DIY approaches where critical elements can easily be missed.

To make sure you get your long-lasting results and to circumvent further plumbing issues later, we highly recommend certified trenchless plumbing systems relining from professional plumbers.

Understanding Pipe Relining Methods and Processes

Pipe Relining Process Overview

Pipe relining is a great way to fix old pipes; it’s a comprehensive solution extending far beyond a basic repair with a multi-step trenchless process that renews pipes from the inside out. It involves the following key phases:

1. Pipe inspection - High-resolution cameras assess the pipe’s condition and pave the way for sending water down to remove any damage or obstructions.
2. Pipe cleaning - Any built-up debris, roots, grease deposits are cleared by sending boiling water down the pipes, using drain cables or through high-pressure jetting.
3. Pipe preparation - Surfaces are abraded so the epoxy resin can adhere more securely, which is a step homeowners can try with proper guidance. Openings like laterals are also sealed off.
4. Epoxy installation - A rotatable liner soaked with two-part epoxy resin is inverted or pulled into the host pipe.
5. Epoxy curing - Specialised lamps are employed to speed up the hardening of the resin, which does pipe justice by creating a smooth, seamless new interior wall, keeping water securely inside.

DIY Challenges vs Professional Equipment

While there are parts of this process that are manageable as a DIY method, when your tools aren’t professional-grade like the cameras, jetters and curing equipment used by licensed plumbers, especially for sewer lines. Epoxy resin quality also varies greatly between commercial-level products and home improvement kits.

Without having the experience to identify pipe damage, DIYers that go ahead and try often end up masking underlying issues, clearly signaling the time to call professional assistance. Pipe relining can prevent an ineffective seal prone to cracking or detachment, but if poorly done, these issues may arise.

Overall their service was called a success, completing the task with technical precision, impeccably ensuring that pipe relining remains an advanced trenchless method best left to those qualified.

Evaluating the Costs: DIY Attempts vs Professionals

Cost Analysis of DIY Pipe Relining

Where there was curiosity in exploring DIY methods, homeowners discovered that the upfront costs of attempting pipe relining may seem economical to get the job done. Epoxy resin kits from hardware stores average $50 to $150 depending on the size of pipes. However, when considering the overall cost of pipe relining, these extra expenses quickly accumulate:

• Tool rental - Drain cables, pressure jetters, and epoxy curing lamps need hiring daily.
• Protective equipment - Recognising the signs sewer line work involves, it’s vital to ensure you have proper PPE when handling industrial resins.
• Fixing mistakes - Incorrect applications that later leak or detach require you to call professional plumber, doubling costs.

Professional Pipe Relining Services

By comparison, the cost of pipe relining by professionals has standardised pricing averaging $3000 to $5000 depending on pipe length and accessibility. This includes:

• Site evaluation and reporting costs
• Industrial-grade epoxy resins and all installation equipment
• Applicator team wages
• Post-relining inspection and testing
• Multi-year guarantee against defects

When it comes to overall value, pro pipe relining, while seemingly more costly upfront, often mitigates the necessity for complete drainage replacements and ensures you won’t need to contact them again any time soon. And crucially, certified plumbers can identify risks beforehand if pipes require fuller repairs.

Risks and Downsides to DIY Pipe Relining

Attempting DIY pipe relining poses several key risks homeowners should consider:

Inadequate Repairs

When comes to professional training and using high-grade epoxy resins, DIY pipe relining often falls short in properly reinforcing your pipe. This can lead to leaks, cracks or detachment issues down the track requiring further repairs.

Structural & Safety Hazards

DIYers lack the specialised cameras and testing to identify underlying damage, indicating where there could be a need for drain repairs or if a new PVC pipe is warranted. Attempting to simply seal over structural issues can risk collapse dangers.

Voiding Existing Warranties

Many new homes or newly renovated bathrooms with new hot water system installations come with plumbing warranties from builders. DIY repairs may technically void such coverage protections.

Toxic Materials & Fumes

The handling of industrial epoxy resins, a common aspect in certain plumbing jobs, carries health hazards if improperly managed without masks and protective equipment. Inhaling chemical fumes can cause lung irritation or dizziness, which is a compelling reason to call a plumber for professional intervention.

Without professional training, equipment or understanding of plumbing infrastructure, there no way that DIY plumbing repair through pipe relining should be undertaken as it is not a can do yourself task due to ineffective and potentially dangerous outcomes.

Signs You Need a Professional Pipe Reliner

Attempting DIY pipe relining seems straightforward, but following some failed attempts, many situations clearly demand a professional plumber’s skills.

Major Blockages

Extensive issues in your sewer pipe, such as a blocked drain from tree roots, collapsed pipes, or decades of buildup, often require commercial hydro-jetting equipment and custom drain cleaners to clear fully. There’s no comparison in effectiveness between DIY snake cables and the comprehensive work a plumber do to unclog your drains with professional kit.

Significant Leaks

While pinhole leaks may seem manageable for an epoxy seal, any Leaks involving structural failures or around joints actually need qualified diagnosis and pipe repair beforehand.

Old Piping Infrastructure

Attempting to reinforce very aged, cast iron, corroded or cracked piping with DIY linings tend to fail, often exacerbating a drain clog over time. Professional evaluations beforehand determine if full replacements are necessary.

Rather than risk botched DIY repairs making problems worse, it is wise to hire professional plumbers to ensure the expertise to identify cases needing customised pipe relining solutions or more extensive repairs for lasting results.

How to Choose the Right Pipe Relining Service

Choosing a Reputable Provider

When selecting a professional pipe relining company, check for proper licencing, experience, credentials and insurance protections. The Trenchless Pipe Relining Association has search tools for accredited specialists in regions like Werrington and Sydney.

Ideal providers should have:

• 5+ years relining pipes
• Advanced epoxy resins and application methods
• Structural evaluations beforehand
• Warranties against defects
• Strong customer reviews

Why Werrington Plumbing Stands Out

With over a decade solely focused on trenchless pipe solutions, Werrington Plumbing are considered by local experts as very professional and they did a great job, earning trust from homeowners and fellow specialists alike.

Their professional pipe relining services offer:

• Latest CCTV inspections
• Hydrojet drain cleaning
• Structural pipe repairs if needed
• Epoxy coatings guaranteed for 50+ years

For the job that does pipe relining in Werrington, we would highly recommend you call the experienced team at Werrington Plumbing today on 1300 349 338 or jobs@werringtonplumbingservices.com.au

Key Takeaways - Why Professionals Are Recommended

After examining DIY versus professional pipe relining options, one of the main reasons why hiring a qualified plumbing service clearly offers superior results and value overall. Key reasons favouring professional pipe relining include:

Advanced Equipment & Materials

Licenced plumbers utilise high-grade epoxy resins and industrial relining equipment beyond DIYer accessibility. This ensures robust, long-lasting results for all plumbing work including efficient drain opening capabilities.

Structural Evaluations

Professionals can also conduct in-depth CCTV pipe inspections first, identifying any damaged pipes that need sewer line repair before relining. DIYers often miss underlying issues.

Precision Process Execution

Experienced plumbing technicians carefully follow best practise relining methods for seamless epoxy bonding and curing. DIY attempts tend to fail from incorrect applications.

Multi-year Warranties

Reputable companies offer long warranties of 50+ years on pipe relining workmanship. DIY repairs have no such performance guarantees or accountability.

While it may appear cost-effective in the short term, DIY pipe relining carries the risk of flawed results, making it essential to hire professional help to get the job done correctly and avert impending repairs and safety risks.

For reliable plumbing services and trenchless pipe remediation without excavations, connect with an experienced plumber from your local professional specialists like Werrington Plumbing today. With advanced relining processes performed correctly the first time, your plumbing system can keep flowing smoothly for decades to come.