Frequently Asked Questions About Mr Pipe Relining

Pipe relining is the process whereby a tube is inserted into an existing pipe and is inflated so it sticks to the interior of the pipe using an epoxy resin. When it hardens, a new ‘line’ has been created within the interior of the old pipe, sealing any cracks or leaks. This process is a lot easier in comparison to replacing an old pipe by digging a trench.

Brawoliner is a specific kind of pipe relining technology. It is the tool used in order to push the tube into the pipe and apply the epoxy resin for hardening. Brawoliner is a German brand with an excellent reputation.

Trenchless pipe repair is simply another name for pipe relining. If you have to dig a trench then the pipe is most being replaced with another one. There are no other serious methods for repairing a pipe without a trench, other than relining.

This is not a temporary fix. Generally, the pipe relining should last 35 – 50 years. The life of the epoxy resin varies, but can last between 50 – 100 years depending on the type of resin and the conditions. Either way, this is not a temporary fix but a long-term solution that can save you a lot of money.

Virtually all kinds of damage you would expect with a pipe – tree root damage, cracks, burst pipes, leaky pipes, etc. However, it does not really ‘repair’ a blocked pipe. The drain has to be cleaned first, typically with a hydro jet. If there is debris in the pipe, then it will cause issues with the hardening of the resin and the quality of the reline.

Absolutely. When you compare the cost and effectiveness of pipe relining against pipe replacement the benefits become obvious. It is a long-term yet affordable option that is far less disruptive. Both plumbers and clients prefer pipe relining to pipe replacement!

While different companies will have different means of achieving the pipe relining, there is a general process. First, the pipe will be cleaned through hydro jetting to remove all debris. Next a CCTV drain inspection will investigate the pipe system so it can be mapped out in detail. This will also outline where the scratches are and where the curves are. Finally, the tube is inserted into the pipe with a resin on the outside. The resin hardens and the tube now forms the interior lining of the pipe.

The cost of sewer relining will vary depending on a number of factors including access to the pipe, diameter of pipe, length of pipe, pipe materials, breaks in the pipe, etc. it will also depend on the method of relining (inversion pipe relining or patch pipe relining). You might expect to pay around $2,500 for the first meter and $800 thereafter, but a full investigation will always be necessary.

Broken sewer pipes are nasty. The typical signs are a foul smell, which you will notice rapidly if anything is wrong with the blackwater pipe. But there are many other signs, such as depressions in your garden, increased rodents and insects, cracks, or mould. You might also notice that some of your other household drains are not functioning properly. A lot will depend on what section of the sewer pipe is broken. The signs will shortly follow in this location.

This depends on the policy, but is usually not the case. Sewer line repair on your property is your responsibility if the issue is chronic. Homeowners insurance will only cover you in more extreme circumstances such as stormwater flooding. However, sewer lines leading away from your house are the responsibility of the local councils. Homeowners insurance will cover your sewer line repair when there is a sudden and unexpected event, not a slow and expected deterioration.

The main reason that a sewer line gets blocked is because people flush down materials in the toilet that are not meant to go in there. The most common offenders are diapers, tampons, and baby wipes. The sewer pipe is not designed to accommodate these objects.

There are many causes of blockages and damages to pipes and internal downpipes. Tree roots would probably be the most common. The roots simply borrow their way into the pipe and once they do, debris will accumulate around it. Old and substandard pipe materials do not help the situation (mainly clay) and have a short lifespan. A poor quality of workmanship will compound the problem. Some pipe materials, like copper and iron, are subject to corrosion.

The interior liner itself can last between 30 – 50 years. This means that the life of your pipe can easily be extended another 20 years or longer. It is still the outer layer of the pipe that is the weakest.

This one is easy. If you are installing a new system, get the best one that will last the longest. This will cost the most in the short run and the least in the long run. Aside from this, make sure you are not flushing foreign objects down the toilet or kitchen sink. Finally, engage hydro jetting services to clean the pipes once in a while. These are the basics, but they work. At the same time, the bottom line is that pipes, like all things, degrade with time and need to be repaired, replaced, or relined.

The cost of sewer relining and general pipe relining will be the same. It depends on the diameter of the pipe, the length of the repair area, how easy it is to access, and the pipe materials. Pipe relining is often charged per meter, where you will pay more for the initial meter. So you could pay around $2,500 for the first meter and $800 thereafter. You will also have a choice as to the type of relining method which could add or subtract from the total price. Either way, it is far cheaper than pipe replacement.

This depends on the plumbing contractor you use. If it is an emergency and you are making a call at 3AM, then you can expect to pay more. Even so, there are many other variables. Is it behind a concrete slab or in the garden? Is it underground or in the ceiling? You can expect to pay around $150 – $200 for the repair itself. But you may incur additional expenses if the plumber has to locate the leak and then access the pipe.

Once the pipe is accessed, it can usually be repaired quite rapidly with a piece of adhesive or a tightening of a fixture. Pipe relining services often take a day and sometimes two if that is the solution you are looking for. There is a difference between putting a patch on something and installing a brand new interior liner!

All of the different water types can get a little confusing. Blackwater is found in sewer lines and comes from the toilet. Greywater comes from the kitchen sink, washing machine, general sinks. Stormwater is very similar to rainwater, collected during storms and periods of rain. Blackwater, greywater, and stormwater/rainwater have separate drainage systems. And all need to be kept out of drinking water supplies!

Traditionally, there were many different kinds of pipe materials, including cast iron, steel, copper, concrete, and even terracotta clay tiles. However, modern pipes are made out of PVC or ABS and they are taking over from other pipe materials. This is because they are lightweight, affordable, durable, and easy to repair.

The Victoria Plumbing Regulations 2018 in tandem with the National Plumbing Code of Australia (Volume 3 of the NCC) govern pipe relining in Melbourne.  The primary regulation is AS/NZS 3500 which governs all aspects of plumbing. The core piece of legislation goes all the way back to the 1993 Building Act. While the earlier legislation did not account for the term ‘relining’, it is treated similarly to pipe repairs.

The Victoria Building Authority (‘VBA’) is responsible for the enforcement of plumbing standards all over Victoria. The VBA grants licences to plumbing contractors and take them away if there is a violation of the plumbing codes.

Why Choose
Mr Pipe Relining

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Extensive Qualifications & Accreditations

We have a long list of accreditations and industry memberships, including the Master Plumbers Association and ISO Certified.

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Licenced & Insured

All of our technicians are 100% licenced and insured to perform plumbing services.

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ISO Certified

We are ISO Certified plumbers.

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Specialized Services

We offer a number of specialist applications including, flare line repair, petrochemical fire mains repair, and concrete repair.

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Open To All Clients

We work with residential, commercial, industrial, councils, civils and property managers.

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Experienced in Large
Scale projects

We’ve worked on the Government House Drains Reline, the Maroondah Sewer Reline, and the Seppelts Great Western Pipes Reline.

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Exceptional Quality
of Workmanship

All Mr Pipe clients are more than satisfied with our extremely high level of craftsmanship. Our products are built to last.

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Superb Customer Service

We are a customer-centric business open for communication 24 hours a day.

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Available Nationwide

We can deploy our crew to provide essential plumbing services regardless of your location in Australia.

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100% Compliant

We are 100% compliant with all of the plumbing codes and standards in Australia.

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