Picture this — you’re about to hop in the shower before work, but instead of fresh water, you’re greeted by sewage backing up in the drain. Yuck! The likely cause is a damaged sewer junction, and traditionally, fixing it meant digging up your yard. But not anymore! Drain relining offers a noninvasive solution that allows plumbers to repair the pipe from within. This translates to a cleaner, more affordable and less disruptive repair process.
Understanding sewer junctions
Beneath your home is a network of pipes that whisk away wastewater, and sewer junctions are the unsung heroes of this system. These vital connectors, often shaped like a “Y” or “T”, allow multiple pipes to converge, ensuring the smooth flow of wastewater from various sources like your shower, toilets and sinks towards the main sewer line.
However, sewer junctions are susceptible to a range of problems. Tree roots can infiltrate, causing blockages and leaks. Age and ground movement can likewise lead to cracks, collapses and misalignment. These issues not only disrupt your plumbing but also pose health hazards.
Traditionally, repairing a sewer junction meant excavating your yard to access the damaged pipe. This process is time-consuming and expensive, often disrupting paved areas and landscaping. Fortunately, relining offers a modern alternative that avoids these headaches.
What is sewer junction relining?
Relining is a trenchless pipe repair technique that offers a long-lasting and cost-effective solution for damaged sewer junctions. Instead of digging up and replacing the entire pipe, this method creates a new pipe within the existing one.
Here’s how we go about it at dRAINS kLEEN:
- Inspection — A small, manoeuvrable CCTV drain inspection camera is inserted into the pipe to get a real-time view of the interior. This allows our plumbers to assess the extent of the damage, pinpoint the exact location of the problem and determine the most suitable relining method.
- Cleaning — A clean surface is essential to guarantee a strong bond between the liner and the existing pipe. High-pressure water jetting removes any debris, tree roots, grease buildup or other obstructions that could hinder the relining process. This leaves a pristine surface ready for the liner.
- Liner insertion — The liner material is carefully inserted into the pipe, either as a full section to rehabilitate a longer stretch or as a targeted patch for localised repairs like sealing a junction. For junctions, we utilise specially designed liners that perfectly conform to the complex shape of the connection, ensuring a complete and durable seal.
- Curing — With the liner in place, we inflate it to ensure it fits snugly against the pipe walls. Then, using either heat or UV light, the resin within the liner is cured. This curing process hardens the resin to create a strong, seamless and incredibly durable new pipe within the old one.
There are different types of drain relining techniques to address various situations:
- Full relining — This is perfect when a significant portion of the pipe is damaged or has deteriorated. We often recommend full relining for pipes with extensive cracking, recurring blockages or signs of collapse.
- Patch relining — When the damage is localised, patch relining offers a targeted and efficient remedy. This technique is excellent for sealing cracks, repairing small holes or closing off an unused junction.
- Inversion relining— This is a specialised form of full relining where the liner is inverted within the pipe, offering a seamless and durable repair for longer sections.
Why sewer junction relining is a smart solution for homes and businesses
Sewer junction relining provides a win-win solution for your plumbing system and the environment. Here’s why:
- No-dig solution — As mentioned earlier, relining is a trenchless technology. This means minimal disruption to your property, landscaping or hardscaping. No more damaged gardens or costly repairs to driveways or patios.
- Cost-effective — While the upfront cost of relining might seem comparable to traditional methods, the long-term savings are significant. Relining eliminates the need for extensive excavation, reducing labour and material costs and the potential for unexpected expenses associated with digging. In many cases, we’ve observed that drain relining has been the more budget-friendly option overall.
- Time-saving — Relining offers a significantly faster repair process than excavation and pipe replacement. In most cases, relining can be completed within a day, minimising disruption to your routine or business operations.
- Durable — The cured-in-place liner creates a new pipe within the old one, forming a strong and resilient barrier against future damage. This new pipe is resistant to root intrusion, corrosion and general wear and tear.
- Environmentally friendly — By generating less waste, reducing the need for heavy machinery and reducing disruption to the surroundings, drain relining is by far the more environmentally conscious choice.
A dRAINS kLEEN case study — how we sealed a redundant junction in half a day
Close up of No -dig Epros patch relining system, used to seal off a sewer drain junction that was no longer needed.
Recently, we were contracted for our quality pipe relining equipment and relining knowledge to carry out No-dig pipe relining. The existing sewer, which ran under a paved walkway beside a busy road, had a junction that was no longer needed, so it was decided the best method to use was relining — completely covering over the junction.
Using our expertise, combined with the EPROS relining technology, we very successfully carried out this job. It was the perfect solution for a plumbing problem that needed to be remedied right away. The client was very happy that we saved them a lot of time and money. If they chose to excavate and re-lay new pipework, the job would’ve been a lot messier and time-consuming. Our team was in and out in half a day!
It’s important to note that other relining products may not have worked so well, considering the different methods we used to bond the liner to the pipe. We chose the highest quality pipe relining materials and techniques. Because the inserted patch adheres to the entire section of pipe it covers, the EPROS liner completely blocks the junction that was no longer in use. We’re confident it will remain strong for at least another 50 years.
We took great pride in our work and were thrilled with the outcome. Even though it is not in public view, a CCTV drain inspection confirmed that the patch is very neat and tidy and works perfectly. The sewage can flow easily past the required direction.
Choose dRAINS kLEEN for reliable and long-lasting sewer junction repairs
If you’re facing sewer junction problems, don’t hesitate to contact the experts at dRAINS kLEEN. Choosing us means getting a comprehensive solution backed by expertise and advanced technology. Our team of licensed plumbers has extensive experience in drain relining, utilising cutting-edge techniques to deliver durable and reliable results. We’ll provide a thorough assessment, explain your options clearly and offer a solution to match your needs and budget. We’re also experts at other services like vacuum excavation and pipe coating, to name a few. Contact us today for a consultation!
