Cured-in-Place Pipe Lining (CIPP)

Cured-in-Place Pipe Lining Explained

Pipe lining can provide another layer of protection in installed pipes. Over time, installed pipes may develop wear, cracks, and other accumulated damage. Previously installed lining may also rip. Conventional practices demand that the pipe is excavated, replaced or repaired, and then reinstalled. However, with in-place pipe lining, technicians can quickly repair short or long lengths of pipe without having to dig up the entire track or piece.

First, technicians dig up a small length of the pipe or identify an available opening where they can insert the flexible pipe lining material. Next, they inflate the liner so it grows to sit up against the internal walls of the pipe. After that, they expose the pipe liner to a curing mechanism — such as ultraviolet light or heat — to initiate a reaction and transform the liner into a smooth surface that adheres to and stays flush against the original pipe. This liner acts as the new pipe walls, providing similar protections as the original installation.

Benefits of Cured-in-Place Pipe Lining

Cured-in-place pipe lining methods offer immediate benefits for pipe installations in virtually any environment. Some of the most common applications of cured-in-place pipe lining are in:

• Water mains
• Culverts
• Sanitary systems
• Storm sewer mains
• Other high-pressure pipe systems in municipal infrastructure

Technicians turn to cured-in-place pipe lining solutions because they’re efficient and don’t disrupt nearby residents and businesses that rely on water and waste management services. Repairs can be made quickly and cleanly. Some of the specific benefits these solutions provide are:

• Durability: Cured-in-place pipe lining solutions are built to last for decades. They are generally made from polyester felt and infused with various types of resin. The cured end-product provides a long-lasting lining that stays in place despite high-pressure levels and flow rates. The lining resists damage from chemicals and corrosion and won’t break down in a continuously damp environment. Cured-in-place pipe lining can be applied again and again over the years or technicians can install multiple layers back to back.
• Time Efficiency: With CIPP, there’s no costly, time-intensive excavation prep work. Technicians don’t have to turn off the branch of the system for days to physically dig up and repair the pipe. Instead, the process can move from start to finish in just a couple of hours.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Conventional excavation and replacement or repairs can cost up to four times as much as a high-quality cured-in-place pipe lining option. There are fewer labor costs because of the reduced time and specialty excavation laborers needed. The costs of trenchless piping, shutting down or diverting the system for long periods, and ancillary costs are eliminated. Instead, the bulk of the cost is in materials.
• Zero Digging Required: CIPP solutions don’t require digging. This leads to a lot of other benefits, such as speed and affordability. It is also a benefit in itself, as property owners don’t have to worry about conventional trench digging processes or managing the space and safety requirements of excavation in busy or compact spaces.

Tex Tech’s Material Advantage

Tex Tech continually innovates our processes to provide better, longer-lasting material solutions for cured-in-place pipe liners. Our signature non-woven material blends polyester staple fibers with glass staple fibers for greater strength and flexibility, depending on the needs of each client’s system.

For example, a homogeneous blend of 50% polyester and 50% glass can double the flexural strength and modulus specifications of the end product. (As tested by ASTM D-790) As a result, installation requires a smaller amount of costly resin without sacrificing quality, leading to even more savings.

With our CIPP hybrid felt, the cost of material in pipe lining projects can go down by 25%. The material itself is also thinner, allowing for more of the pipe’s internal diameter to be preserved so the flow rate is as unaffected as possible.

The new Tex-Tech product and results from internal testing were recently presented at the “Underground Construction Technology” 2023 conference in Orlando Florida by senior technical leaders at Tex Tech. Vincent Gallacher, Director of Research & Product Development at Tex Tech said “We have a strong corporate belief in creating sustainable supply chains that lead to the efficient use of raw materials to reduce overall waste. Our involvement with TPI and Carbon Rivers, establishes a path for reuse of end-of-life windmill blades which exemplifies this principle for the betterment of our customers, our company and society.”

Choose Cured in Place Pipe Lining From Tex Tech

Using cutting-edge, hybrid pipe lining solutions can save your organization money and allow for long-lasting repairs with minimal disruption. At Tex Tech, we combine effective repair products with sustainability initiatives for pipe liners you can trust and feel good about. Contact us today to learn more or request a quote for our signature hybrid liners.