The Most Widely Used Trenchless Technology For Sewer Rehabilitation
Cured-In-Place-Pipe (CIPP) Lining has been in use in the United States for the last 35 years. CIPP lining is one of several pipe rehabilitation methods referred to as Trenchless Technologies. It is an approved method (see our reference page for relevant ATSM Standards F1216-09 & F1743-08) and the preferred method to rehabilitating cracked, broken and failed sanitary sewers or storm sewer pipes. CIPP lining is less expensive and more efficient than traditional open cut and replace methods, normally installed with little or no surface disruption, less than 24 hours per installation. The CIPP lining process can be used to rehabilitate virtually any type of pipe including; Clay, Cast Iron, Orangeburg, PVC, ABS, HDPE, Concrete Pipe or Corrugated Metal Pipe. Since the invention of CIPP lining in England, hundreds of millions of linear feet have installed in America alone. JTV, Inc. has installed over 3 million linear feet of cured-in-place pipe of various diameter.
Following the guidelines set forth by ASTM Standards (50 year design life), proper installation of a CIPP liner within a host pipe results in a "New Pipe Within A Pipe". CIPP liners are designed to be independently structurally strong, not relying on the host pipe for any structural strength contribution. Installation of a CIPP liner minimally reduces the diameter of the host pipe, but the diameter loss is offset by the increased flow characteristics of the liner surface material. CIPP lining does have some minimal drawbacks, such as the inability to correct back-pitched sections of pipe or misaligned pipe joints. The fact that a CIPP liner is one piece without joints and has a smooth laminar surface does improve most pipe defects. ASTM sets the Standards for manufacturing & use of all types of pipes.
Cured-In-Place Pipe can remedy numerous pipe defects. Single piece liners can reduce or eliminate inflow & infiltration problems. CIPP liners can bridge offset pipe joints or gaps where sections of pipe are missing. Root infiltration is virtually eliminated since CIPP liners are "one piece" extending from manhole to manhole.
CIPP liner installations are typically installed in less than 10 hours with minimal surface disruption. Property owners are informed not to use water during the installation process (door hangers are distributed 48 hours, 24 hours in advance of the installation as well as the day of the installation). For the sewer line to be relined, a bypass pumping system is setup to maintain normal sewerage flow around the installation site. The reinstatement of lateral connections by robotic cutters, depending on number per installation site can be the slowest part of the installation process.
CIPP Installation Methods
There are two basic methods of CIPP liner installations, Inversion and Pull-In Place.
Inversion is a method using water to install a resin impregnated liner into place. The liner is suspended from an elevated platform the turned inside out. Water is added to the turned out liner with the weight of the water continuing the inversion process. Once the CIPP liner is installed, hot water is circulated though the liners to heat cure the resin.
The Pull-In Place method uses a specially prepared double coated liner. The liner is winched (pulled) into place then filled / circulated with hot water to cure. This method is commonly used for short / large diameter pipelines such as road culverts.
What Size Pipes Can Be Lined
The growth of the CIPP pipe lining industry has been phenomenal in the past 10 years. Pipes from 3" to 96" diameters are successfully installed on a daily basis. Plumber & drain cleaners now install CIPP liners within house laterals or pipes located under the floors of buildings to avoid costly excavations repairs. CIPP liners can be installed in round, oval, arch, egg-shaped or square box brick sewers.
In the large pipe diameter market, single installations can range up to 1500 linear feet. Installing CIPP liners has become commonplace, not the exception. Limitations on installations are slowed by the time requirements to reinstate lateral service connection and setup of bypass pumping systems.
CIPP liners can be designed and manufactured for special installations where extra strength pipes are required. These designs are common when a building is to be built over an existing pipeline or for pipes under railroad tracks or highways.
Preparation & Installation of Oversized CIPP Liners
The weight and physical size of an individual CIPP liner has a direct effect on installations. CIPP liners are limited to DOT trucking maximum weight regulations. For large CIPP liners, an over the hole wet-out (resin impregnation of the CIPP liner bag) can be performed where all wetout equipment is located at (over) the manhole. All equipment, liner, resin and catalyst are brought to the inversion site for the installation. The liner immediately is inverted into the pipe after coming out of the wetout table.
When CIPP Lining Is Not An Option
When existing pipe has severe pipe deflection (loss of ovality).
Where there is a collapse, unless a localized, excavated pipe repair is performed.
Where the project requirement is to increase existing pipe capacity.
Where chemicals (solvents) can erode or dissolve CIPP liner material.
Where pipe effluent temperatures (above 160° F) can be abnormally high.
