A Guide to Sewage Pipe Liner Repair

If you have a cracked, leaking, or aging sewer pipe, you’re probably dreading the mess, and cost, of replacing it. Good news! You might not have to replace your sewer pipe after all. You might be able to use a sewer pipe repair liner instead.  

A sewer pipe liner is a flexible tube that’s inserted into a damaged pipe, then hardened into place. It acts like a brand new pipe inside your old one. The benefits of using a sewer liner can be huge. You won’t have to dig up your whole yard or replace your entire sewer line. Instead, this reliable fix can add decades to the life of your sewer system. 

Key Takeaways

• A sewer pipe repair liner is a trenchless solution that creates a pipe inside your existing one, saving you the time and expense of a full sewer line replacement. 
• The right sewer liner depends on your pipe's condition, material, and layout. Cured-in-place pipe lining (CIPP) is the most common. 
• Drain pipe lining is a step-by-step process that starts with a camera inspection to determine whether lining is even possible before any work begins. 
• Pipe lining won't work on fully collapsed, severely deteriorated, or significantly misaligned pipes. In these cases, full replacement is likely the only option. 
• If sewage has backed up into your home, cleanup and restoration need to happen before any pipe repair can start. 

Types of Sewer Pipe Repair Liners

Not all damaged sewer pipes require the same fix. You’ve got several sewer liner options. The right choice depends on the condition of your pipe, its material, and how it’s laid out. The most common types of drain lining used today: 

Cured-in-Place Pipe Lining (CIPP)

CIPP is the most widely used method of pipe lining. With CIPP, a resin-soaked felt tube is inserted into the damaged pipe and then hardened using hot water, steam, or UV light. Once cured, it forms a tight, seamless new pipe inside the old one. 

Pull-in-Place Pipe Lining

Similar to CIPP, this method pulls a resin-coated liner through the pipe from both ends. It works especially well for pipes with multiple bends or connections. 

Pipe Bursting

This technique breaks apart the old pipe while simultaneously pulling a new one into place. It’s a great option when the existing pipe is too damaged to host a liner. 

Internal Pipe Coating

A liquid epoxy coating is sprayed or blown through the pipe, sealing cracks and corrosion from the inside. This method works best for smaller pipes or as a preventative measure. 

Sewer Pipelining Step-by-Step

Lining a sewer pipe is a precise process that demands skill and the right equipment. While every job’s a little different, most sewer pipe lining projects follow the same general steps. Here’s what you can expect from start to finish. 

Step 1: Camera Inspection

A technician will send a small camera through your sewer line to get a clear picture of what’s going on inside. The camera feed will help identify cracks, blockages, root intrusion, and other damage the crew will need to address before starting the lining process. 

Step 2: Clean the Existing Pipe

Before any liner goes in, the sewer pipe has to be thoroughly cleaned. Your repair team will use high-pressure water to remove buildup, debris, and any loose material from the pipe walls. A clean pipe is essential for getting a good bond between the liner and the pipe.  

Step 3: Sewage Clean Up

If there’s been a sewage backup or leak, you’ll need to hire a professional sewage cleanup service to remove any hazardous materials and make the work area safe before the lining process can begin. 

Step 4: Take Measurements

Your technician will carefully measure the sewage pipe to make sure the liner will fit. Accurate measurements are key to a successful repair, especially for sewer cracking repair, where the damaged sections need precise coverage.  

Step 5: Prep the Replacement Tubing

Next, the technician will cut the liner material to the correct length and prepare it for installation. The type of liner will depend on your pipe size, material, and condition. 

Step 6: Tubing Saturation and Inversion

During this step, the liner is saturated with a liquid resin and flipped inside out as it’s pushed through the pipe. This inversion ensures that the resin-coated side makes full contact with the interior pipe wall. 

Step 7: Allow the Tubing to Cure

The resin is then activated using hot water, steam, or UV light and left to completely harden. Once cured, the liner becomes a strong, seamless new pipe inside the old one.  

Trenchless Drain Pipe Lining: The New Standard

It wasn’t too long ago that fixing a broken sewer line meant tearing up your yard, your driveway, or even parts of your home. Today, trenchless drain pipe lining has changed all that. Methods like cured-in-place, pull-in-place, pipe bursting, and internal pipe coating are all forms of trenchless technology. What they share is the ability to repair pipes from the inside with little to no excavation required.   

Trenchless technology works on most types of residential sewer and drain lines. It’s faster, cleaner, and far less disruptive than traditional dig-and-replace methods.  

Here are some of the biggest benefits of trenchless drain pipe lining: 

• Less disruption: Your yard, landscaping, and hardscaping stay intact. 
• Faster completion: Most trenchless repairs can be completed in a single day. 
• Cost savings: Without major excavation, your labor and restoration costs are significantly lower. 
• Long-lasting results: Trenchless liners are designed to last 50 years or more. 
• Environmentally friendly: Less digging means less soil disruption and a smaller carbon footprint. 
• Versatile: Works on a wide range of pipe materials, sizes, and configurations. 

Sometimes Pipe Lining Isn’t Possible

Pipe lining is a great solution for many sewer problems, but it’s not the right fix for every situation. There are some cases where a different approach is necessary.  

Pipe lining may not be an option when: 

• The pipe has collapsed: A fully collapsed pipe has no structure left to support a liner. In this case, the pipe will need to be fully replaced. 
• The damage is too severe: Extensive deterioration or large sections of missing pipe cannot be patched with a liner alone. 
• The pipe is misaligned: Significant shifting or bellying in the pipe can prevent a liner from fitting or sealing properly. 
• Root intrusion is severe: While minor root intrusion can be cleared before lining, heavy root damage may compromise the process. 
• Sewage cleanup is needed first: If a backup has caused significant sewage and water damage, that work must be completed and the area fully cleared before lining can begin. 

If you’re not sure what you’re dealing with, call in a professional. A trained technician can assess your pipes and recommend the best path forward for your specific situation.   

The Bottom Line(ing)

A sewer pipe repair liner is one of the smartest, most efficient ways to fix a damaged sewer line. It saves time, money, and the headache of tearing up your property. But pipe lining is just one piece of the puzzle  

Sewerage leaks and backups can leave behind water damage, contamination, and health hazards that need professional attention, too. That’s where SERVPRO comes in.  

From sewage cleanup to water restoration, SERVPRO’s trained technicians can help you get your home back to normal.  

Contact SERVPRO today.

FAQs 

How much does sewer pipe lining cost?

According to national averages, sewer pipe lining typically costs between $1,900 and $6,000 for a residential project, with an average price tag of around $2,900. The final price will depend on the length and condition of your pipe, accessibility, and the lining method used.  

What happens if my sewer line breaks?

A broken sewer line can cause sewage backups, foul odors, soggy patches in your yard, and even foundation damage if it’s left untreated. Call a licensed plumber to inspect the line and assess the damage. You may also want to bring in a water damage restoration professional if sewage has backed up in your home.  

How long does sewer pine lining take?

Most sewer pipe lining jobs can be completed in a single day. More complex projects, such as longer pipe runs, severe damage, or necessary sewage cleanup beforehand, may take two to three days. Your technician can give you a more accurate timeline after the initial camera inspection. 

How long does a sewer pipe liner last?

Most sewer pipe liners are designed to last 50 years or more when properly installed. Longevity depends on factors like pipe material, soil conditions, and the lining method used. A quality installation by a trained technician gives you the best chance of a repair that holds for decades.