When you’re faced with a poorly functioning or broken sewer pipe, it’s important to get the problem addressed quickly. A professional drain inspection using a CCTV drain camera can pinpoint the cause of the issue, and show you the best way to fix the broken pipe. Whilst in some cases a broken pipe will need to be replaced using a traditional drain repair, which involves digging up the ground to replace the pipe, more commonly these days, sewer lines are repaired using pipe relining services that involve no digging whatsoever.
In this article, we’ll look at signs of blocked or damaged sewer pipes, why it’s essential to address the problem promptly, and the benefits of drain relining as a pipe repair method.
Blocked or damaged sewer pipe: the signs
Drain pipe faults aren’t always obvious, but there are warning signs that indicate a problem deep in the sewer system. These include:
- Bad smells, slow drains and repeat blockages
When showers, toilets or sinks drain slower than usual, or become blocked on repeat, you may be dealing with a blocked, damaged or collapsed sewer line. Bad odours that don’t go away after superficial drain cleaning also indicate sewer gas may be escaping through cracks in the pipe. - Sewage backup
When wastewater (including sewage) backs up into toilets, sinks and showers, it can pose a health hazard, as well as cause damage to your property. - Moisture and structural issues
Water leaks in sewer pipes can lead to excess moisture in building structures. The result can be peeling paint, cracks in driveways, slabs and walls, peeling paint, and mould growth. - Warning signs outdoors
Unusually green areas of lawn, sunken patches of grass and pools of water can all suggest an underground leak. Add to that, a rise in pest activity around the home (insects and rodents) may be the result of wastewater leaking from broken pipes.
The importance of rapid sewer pipe repair
Putting off drain repairs can mean small pipe issues grow into major structural and environmental problems. Ongoing leaks can weaken soil stability, damage building foundations, and increase repair costs significantly over time. Untreated sewage leaking from pipes can also contaminate soil. So, it’s important to act on a broken drain quickly.
What’s the best way to fix a broken sewer pipe?
The two most common ways to repair broken sewer pipes are manual pipe replacement and pipe relining. Which method is appropriate depends on factors including how damaged the pipe is, and how accessible it is.
In many cases, pipe relining offers an effective, long-lasting and budget-friendly solution that doesn’t involve disruptive digging. In a limited number of cases, manual sewer pipe replacement (via digging) can’t be avoided.
Let’s look at both methods and why a plumber might recommend one method over another.
What is manual pipe replacement?
This traditional pipe repair method involves digging up the ground to replace the damaged section of pipe. Unfortunately, because digging is involved, it is usually more expensive: it takes more time, more workers are needed to complete the repair, digging equipment is often required, and structures and lawns can be damaged, which may require remediation.
Manual pipe replacement is unavoidable in circumstances where:
- Access to the pipe isn’t possible, and a liner can’t be inserted
- The pipe is too narrow for pipe relining to be possible
- Joins in the pipe are detached or misaligned
- The pipe is too damaged, or has collapsed entirely
- A heavy obstruction in the pipe can’t be removed
- The pipe is falling the wrong way, causing water to flow backwards
- You need a new layout of pipes
(At Sydney Pipe Relining, we aim to use pipe relining when we can, however we’re equipped to undertake manual pipe replacement if that’s the most appropriate solution.)
What is Pipe Relining?
Sewer pipe relining involves repairing a drain from the inside, rather than digging up and replacing the pipe. After locating the site of the broken pipe, an epoxy-resin liner is inserted into the drain, then inflated, so that it forms the shape of the pipe. The resin cures into a new, watertight pipe within hours. These pipes have a long life expectancy (approximately 50 years) and due to their smooth interior surface, are resistant to residue build up.
How pipe relining at Sydney Pipe Relining works:
- We examine the interior of the pipes using a CCTV drain camera, and note the location of any obstructions, and/or cracked/collapsed pipes.
- We remove any obstructions in the pipe (tree roots etc.) using robotic cutters. After that, we clean out the pipe using a high-power, hydro-jet drain cleaner.
- We then insert a flexible liner coated with epoxy resin into the existing pipe so that it adheres to the pipe interior. We inflate the liner, and wait for it to cure in place.
The result is a seamless and corrosion-resistant wastewater pipe.
Pipe Relining Benefits
The benefits of pipe relining include:
It’s cheaper: Pipe relining offers a more affordable repair option than manual pipe replacement. This is because you only really need one worker relining the pipe, rather than a team of plumbers. You also don’t need to cover the cost of digging equipment or post-dig repair.
It’s less disruptive: As there’s no digging required when relining pipes, it’s more convenient, similar to mobile tyre repair in that residents or onsite workers don’t need to leave the property during the pipe repair. They also aren’t interrupted by loud machinery and vibrations.
It has minimal environmental impact: As you don’t need to dig with pipe relining, there’s no resulting damage to gardens and landscaping. Add to that, pipe relining can be achieved quickly, so if you are dealing with a cracked sewer pipe leaking sewerage into the soil, then relining can resolve the issue quickly and prevent it worsening. Finally, the relined pipe is long lasting and resistant to corrosion.
Relined pipes resist residue build up: There are no seams in a relined pipe, which means there is less likelihood of leaks between these seams. Also, relined pipes have a smooth and streamlined internal surface, making it less likely that debris will build up within the pipe.
It suits a variety of pipes: Trenchless pipe relining is suitable for various pipe diameters and pipe materials, including clay, PVC, cast iron, and more.
It’s well suited to strata properties: Pipe relining is often better suited to strata properties than traditional pipe replacement because it repairs pipes internally with minimal excavation, wall removal, or disruption to residents. This includes vertical pipe relining for sewer stacks and internal risers in multi-storey buildings, where accessing pipes traditionally may require opening walls across several levels. Relining is ideal for apartment complexes and shared properties because it can reduce downtime, mess, and restoration costs, although full pipe replacement may still be necessary if pipes have collapsed or suffered severe structural damage.
Pipe Relining Sydney & Wollongong
When dealing with the issue of broken drains, pipe relining offers an unobtrusive and durable alternative to traditional pipe replacement. Using this no-dig method, Sydney Pipe Relining can restore leaking, cracked sewer pipes without damaging gardens and structures. Suitable for residential, commercial, and strata properties, our drain relining in Sydney & Wollongong and the Sutherland Shire provides corrosion-resistant pipes that will last decades, at minimal cost.
