Digging up a sewer line to repair a crack or failing pipe section used to be messy, you had to tear up the yard, break through a driveway or cut into a concrete slab. With cured-in-place pipe lining, all of that has changed. CIPP lining is a trenchless pipe repair method that restores your sewer system from the inside out without the usual mess and disruption of traditional dig-and-replace excavation.
Mr. Mike’s Plumbing is proud to bring CIPP pipe lining to Calgary homes and businesses. If your underground pipe is cracked, corroded, root-damaged or deteriorating, cured-in-place pipe lining lets us repair it instead of replacing it entirely.
Here are the benefits of choosing CIPP pipe lining services from Mr. Mike’s Plumbing in Calgary:
CIPP stands for cured-in-place pipe. The CIPP lining process rehabilitates damaged or deteriorating pipes from the inside using a flexible liner saturated with resin. The liner is inserted into the existing pipe through an access point, positioned across the damaged section and is then cured and hardened in place to form a new structural pipe within the old one.
The end result is a smooth, jointless pipe liner inside the existing pipe that seals cracks, closes off root intrusion points and restores full flow capacity. CIPP involves installing a pipe liner that bonds to the interior walls of the existing pipe, creating a pipe within a pipe. There’s no major digging and the existing sanitary service pipes stay in place around the liner.
Before we start lining, we use a sewer camera to assess the condition of the existing pipe. It lets us know where the damage is, how extensive it is and if the pipe is a good candidate for lining. Reach to learn more about our sewer video inspection services in Calgary.
We thoroughly clean the existing pipe before putting in the liner. Pipe cleaning removes roots, debris, scale and buildup from the pipe walls so the liner can properly bond to the interior surface. A clean pipe is key to a successful lining installation.
A flexible epoxy liner, a felt or fibreglass tube saturated with structural resin, is prepared and inserted into the existing pipe. The liner is pulled and inverted into position along the section of pipe being rehabilitated. The installation method we use comes down to the pipe diameter, depth and access conditions.
After the liner is positioned inside the existing pipe, it is cured and hardened using heat, steam or ambient temperature based on the resin system used. As the resin cures, the pipe liner bonds to the interior of the host pipe and hardens into a rigid, structural tube. The cured liner is smooth, corrosion-resistant and able to handle normal sewer and drain loads.
Once cured, a final camera inspection confirms the liner is properly seated, the ends are clean and the restored pipe is flowing correctly. We also reinstate any lateral connections.
CIPP pipe lining doesn’t solve every problem. Here’s when it makes sense:
When a pipe fully collapses, is severely misaligned or too deteriorated for the liner to bond properly, pipe replacement might make more sense. Our team will help you choose the right option following the pipe inspection.
CIPP pipe lining is a good solution for residential sewer and drain lines in Calgary homes. Older properties with clay tile or cast iron sewer pipes are ideal for lining because they tend to crack and deteriorate over decades of use. Root intrusion from trees in the yard is common among Calgary residential properties, lining is a solid solution.
For residential pipe lining, this trenchless install approach keeps your yard, landscaping and driveway intact. Most residential lining is done in as little as a day, minimizing disruption to your home.
The sewer and drain infrastructure that serve commercial properties have higher demand and run in more complex configurations than residential lines. A failing drain line in a commercial building can disrupt operations and become a liability. CIPP pipe lining lets commercial pipe repair work be carried out with minimal business disruption. No excavation means no torn-up parking lots, structural work or extended shutdowns.
Mr. Mike’s Plumbing in Calgary works with commercial property owners, property managers and facility operators on commercial pipe lining projects across the city. We schedule work to reduce impact on operations.
Both options have their place. Here’s a breakdown:
If you’re wondering which options make sense for your situation, let our team assess the pipe first. We can give you a clear recommendation. Visit our pipe repair and replacement page to learn about when replacement is the better call.
CIPP is an abbreviation for cured-in-place pipe. It’s a trenchless repair method that fixes damaged sewer and drain pipes from the inside. A resin-saturated flexible liner is inserted into the existing pipe, positioned over the damaged section and cured in place to form a new structural pipe within the old one without any major excavation.
The length of the pipe being lined, the diameter, the access condition of and extent of the damage determines the price. In most cases, trenchless pipe lining is more affordable than full excavation and replacement when you add up the costs of digging, backfilling and restoring whatever was on top of the pipe. Call (403) 520-2040 or book online for a quote.
Generally it is, but there are exceptions. It comes down to what’s above the pipe. If the pipe is under a finished driveway, landscaping, a deck or concrete slab, avoiding excavation gives you huge savings on restoration costs as well as the repair itself. When pipes are more accessible, there isn’t as big of a difference. We give you an honest comparison when we assess the job.
It is, that’s one of the biggest advantages of CIPP pipe lining. The liner is inserted through existing access points like cleanouts, manholes or small excavated access pits instead of digging a full trench along the length of the pipe. For most residential and commercial applications, minimal digging is required.
When the pipe has cracks, root damage or joint issues, but enough structural integrity for the liner to bond to, it makes sense. When the pipe runs somewhere excavation would be expensive like under a driveway, slab or foundation, it also makes sense. It can work when sewer rehabilitation is needed, but full sewer replacement isn’t warranted yet either. If the pipe is fully collapsed or severely out of alignment, replacement tends to be the right call.
Of course, residential sewer and drain lines are the most common applications for CIPP lining. Older Calgary homes with clay or cast iron pipes are also ideal alongside homes where root intrusion has damaged the line. The trenchless approach lets the yard and landscaping stay intact.
As long as the existing liner is still structurally sound and the pipe diameter after the first lining is sufficient enough to accommodate a second liner, it can be. While not common, it’s technically possible. If you reach that stage, call us and we’ll assess whether relining is feasible or if replacement makes more sense.
Yes, it can be, that’s actually one of the biggest advantages of trenchless pipe lining. The pipe liner is inserted through existing access points instead of requiring a trench so pipes that run under driveways, concrete slabs, foundations and other structures can be rehabilitated without breaking through the surface above. It tends to be more affordable and less disruptive than traditional excavation.
The liner itself is a felt or fibreglass tube saturated with structural resin, usually epoxy, polyester or vinyl ester resin depending on the application. The resin cures to form a hard, smooth pipe liner inside the existing pipe. The specific materials used depend on the pipe diameter, type of pipe being lined and what the pipe carries. Our team will let you know if a liner system fits your application.
Do you have a damaged sewer or drain pipe? It’s worth finding out if trenchless pipe lining is a possibility. Mr. Mike’s Plumbing can assess and quote the job. We serve residential and commercial properties across Calgary, Alberta with CIPP pipe lining, pipe inspection and related plumbing services.
Is lining the right call for you? Start with a sewer video inspection so we can see what’s inside the pipe before recommending any repairs. If lining isn’t an option, our pipe repair and replacement team can help you explore alternatives. Visit our services page to see the full range of what Mr. Mike’s Plumbing offers across Calgary.
