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CIPP: A new solution to an old problem

Although plumbing is old technology and the basic idea of having clean running water and sewer systems dates back thousands of years in human history, today, the plumbing industry is filled with new, cutting-edge technologies for drain, waste, and vent (DWV) systems that make complicated plumbing repairs extremely quick and cost-effective.

New advancements like pipe lining, trenchless sewer repair, and camera inspections are allowing plumbing companies to diagnose and repair plumbing, drain, and sewer problems faster than ever, with minimal downtime, and at a lower cost.

Alphalete Plumbing Drain Heating & Air is proud to be at the forefront of these new technologies and we have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in the best equipment and technology in the industry. As a data-driven company, we’re focused on giving our clients the best possible service with the best possible tools and practices.

One of the advanced technologies we’re proud to use daily is cured-in-place pipe (CIPP).

CIPP is so new that most people (some plumbers even!) haven’t heard of it, or if they have, they haven’t seen it in practice. So in this post, we’ll explain how this amazing new technology works, and how Alphalete Plumbing Drain Heating & Air is using it right now on our job sites for cost-effective and thorough sewer repair jobs.

What is a cured-in-place pipe (CIPP)?

Cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) is a trenchless rehabilitation method used to repair existing pipelines. It involves inserting a resin-saturated felt tube into the damaged pipe, which is then inflated and cured to form a tight-fitting, seamless, and corrosion-resistant pipe within the old one. Here are the key points for how it’s so effective and why we use it at Alphalete Plumbing Drain Heating & Air:

#1: It’s a Trenchless Technology

CIPP is a minimally invasive method for repairing sewer pipes, meaning it doesn’t require extensive digging or disruption to the surrounding area. This is a huge improvement over the “old fashioned” way of fixing sewer pipes, which often involves a complex and messy digging operation, ripping up your front lawn in the process.

#2: Easy Insertion Process

The resin-saturated tube, often made of polyester or fiberglass, is inserted into the damaged pipe using water or air pressure and doesn’t require giant machinery or a huge crew. We leave the existing pipe in place and simply feed the tube into it from one insertion point.

#3: It repairs without the need for replacement

One of the hardest parts of “trenched” sewer repairs is the need to dig up giant sections of broken pipe and replace them with new pipe material. This is very time-consuming and requires lots of digging and heavy machinery.

Trenchless sewer repairs using CIPP are a total game changer: they allow you to leave the existing pipes in place. You no longer have to dig up the old pipe: when we run the pipe liner, we run it through the old pipe. If there are cracks or holes in the existing sewer line, they can stay there—the CIPP will be inflated to fill up the pipe and cured, sealing off any broken parts of the existing line.

#4: It’s cured in place, instantly

When we say instantly, we aren’t kidding: we mean the same day. Once we put the tube inside the line, and inflate it to fit snugly against the inner walls of the old pipe, it is then cured (hardened) using hot water, steam, or UV light, depending on the resin used. At Alphalete Plumbing Drain Heating & Air, we use three types of resin: 1) polyester resin, 2) vinyl resin, and 3) epoxy resin.

#5 It’s as good or better than the original sewer line

When the CIPP is done curing, it creates a new, smooth, seamless pipe within the old one that is durable and resistant to corrosion and leaks. Plus, unlike the types of pipe it usually replaces (like cast iron pipe, clay pipe, or Orangeburg pipe), it’s flexible and has a much longer lifespan, resulting in fewer holes, breaks, and cracks.

Convinced now? At Alphalete Plumbing Drain Heating & Air, we really, really like CIPP.

CIPP is revolutionary but isn’t just “new technology for the sake of new technology.” It’s better, it’s faster, it’s stronger, it’s more cost-effective. …so why wouldn’t we use CIPP?

If you are having an issue with your house or building’s plumbing, sewer lines, or underground utilities, we highly recommend using CIPP for your repair. CIPP is cost-effective, reduces downtime, minimizes environmental impact, extends the lifespan of the existing pipeline, and provides a long-lasting fix without the need for extensive excavation.

There’s only one drawback to cured-in-place pipe, and that is: that almost nobody uses it! It’s so new that many companies are slow to adopt it, and the equipment is very expensive. But that’s where Alphalete Plumbing Drain Heating & Air is here to serve you in a way most other plumbing companies can’t: we have the gear, the equipment, and the know-how: our plumbers are experts at using CIPP for plumbing and sewer repairs.

If you have a problem with your sewer lines, especially if you live in a neighborhood that has a lot of old trees with a tree root network that is getting inside your sewer lines, and especially if you have old pipes made of clay, cast iron, or Orangeburg, contact us today for a sewer camera inspection.

We’ll send one of our techs out to you and put a sewer camera down your lines to take a look, and give you a good idea of what the issue is, and how to fix it, before doing any digging, and without tearing up your lawn and making a huge mess.

Hire Alphalete Plumbing Drain Heating & Air today and ask for CIPP for a modern, efficient solution for your pipeline repair and rehabilitation needs.

Before CIPP Liner Installation

Video footage showcasing 53 feet of Orangeburg piping after descaling and hydrojetting.

After CIPP Liner Installation

Video footage showcasing the sewer line after a 53-foot CIPP Liner installation.

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