What Is Trenchless Sewer Repair and How Does It Work?

May 18, 2025May 18, 2025Travis TaylorUncategorized

If you have sewer line problems at your house or office, you must have heard about trenchless sewer repair and wondered ‘what is trenchless sewer repair’ and how exactly does trenchless sewer line replacement work. Well, trenchless sewer repair is considered a modern, minimally-invasive repair method for underground pipes, the core objective being to not wreck your lawn, driveway, or garden in the process. Nice, huh? Now, let’s take a little look into the actual process.

So, What is Trenchless Sewer Repair?

In simple terms, trenchless sewer repair is the process of repairing or replacing damaged sewer lines without excavating the entire pipe. In lieu of digging a large trench, contractors just dig one or two small access points to access the pipes underground.

This method has grown very popular over time for sewer repair because it creates less disturbance, takes less time, and eventually ends up being more cost-effective. Whether it is for a house or a larger commercial property, the method of trenchless sewer repair has grown very popular over time because it gets the work done faster and cleaner than conventional digging techniques.

So, How Does Trenchless Sewer Repair Work?

Alright, let’s get to know how trenchless sewer repair works . While there’s a bit of tech involved, the process is surprisingly straightforward from a homeowner’s perspective.

1. Pipe Inspection

The whole thing kicks off with a video inspection. A tiny camera goes into your sewer line to see what’s going on—whether it’s roots, cracks, sagging, or just old age taking its toll.

2. Cleaning

After the pipe inspection, next comes the cleaning of the pipe. Some plumbers use high-pressure water jetting (called hydro jetting) to clean the pipe and clear them from gunk and remove debris.

3. Repair or Replacement

After the inspection is completed, your plumber will choose the best trenchless method based on what the inspection showed. Two of the most common techniques are pipe lining and pipe bursting.

Pipe Lining (CIPP): This involves inserting a flexible, resin-coated liner into the damaged pipe. It’s then inflated and left to cure, forming a new pipe within the old one.
Pipe Bursting: If the pipe is too damaged to line, a new pipe is pulled through the old one while a bursting head breaks apart the existing pipe. The new pipe takes its place

So, the basic answer to your question of how trenchless sewer repair work is answered. You are essentially getting a new pipe without destroying your property. It’s pretty cool, right?

Benefits of Trenchless Sewer Repair

Some of the main reasons why trenchless sewer repair is gaining popularity among homeowners and industrial owners are as follows:

You don’t have to destroy your yard, patio, or driveway
It’s usually done in a day or two
It can actually be cheaper once you factor in landscaping costs
New pipes can last 50+ years
It’s eco-friendly, using fewer resources and causing less disruption

When Should You Consider Trenchless Repair?

If you’re experiencing signs like slow drains, frequent backups, rotten odors, or soggy patches in your lawn, you might have a ruptured or broken sewer line. Before you go ahead and dig up the whole thing, call a professional plumber and request a visit to determine whether trenchless sewer repair is an option for your situation. More likely than not, it is — even on old houses.

Also remember that not every pipe can be fixed using trenchless technology. If your line has collapsed entirely or contains too many offsets and dips, excavation may still be required. But in the majority of situations, trenchless is an excellent first choice to consider.

Why Choose Ontario Pipe Lining?

If you’re dealing with sewer or drain issues and don’t want your yard turned into a construction site, Ontario Pipe Lining is a solid choice. We know what we’re doing when it comes to trenchless sewer repair, drain repair, and pipe relining.

Serving Toronto, the Greater Toronto Area and most of Southern Ontario, from Toronto to Kingston, we are a top provider of cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) and small dimension trenchless pipe restoration services.

We are a reputable and authorized installation of the cutting-edge, patent-protected CIPP system technology from Nu Flow. Our professionals have more than a decade of experience fixing damaged storm drains and sanitary sewage systems with the least amount of disturbance!

Our exceptional customer service makes us stand apart from our competitors.

FAQs About Trenchless Sewer Repair

Some of the most commonly asked FAQs are answered below:

1. Is trenchless sewer repair worth it?

Yes, for many homeowners and businesses, the options certainly exist. While the initial cost can be more than that of traditional repairs, a lot is saved on restoration costs — no redoing of a lawn or fixing of a driveway that might have been dug-up in the process. It also goes quicker and less invasive, making it more convenient all around. Therefore, we recommend clients to opt for trenchless sewer repair if they want a quick, hassle-free, long-lasting solution.

2. How long does a trenchless sewer line last?

The durability of sewer lines restored using trenchless methods is one of the best things about trenchless repairs. Although they say they can take anything from 50 years to a lifetime, most trenchless sewer lines, particularly those using cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) or HDPE materials, would be counted on to live for 50 years or more. From a comparative perspective, by just 20-30 years, the conventional lines would have usually required some repairs.

3. Can sewer pipes be repaired without digging?

They really do! That’s why it was developed in the first place. Rather than hauling away all of your grass, digging into your concrete driveway, or otherwise leaving scars across your beautiful property, trenchless methods such as pipe lining or pipe bursting allow the contractor to effectively fix or replace your sewer line from two pits or so. Everything else happens below the surface.

4. What is the most common material used for trenchless repair?

Most of the time, in trenchless repairs, especially for CIPP lining, the typical product applied is a flexible felt or fiberglass liner soaked with an epoxy resin. When inserted and cured, the resin laminates into a tough pipe with no joints, which is resistant to corrosion and tree root intrusion. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is usually used for pipe bursting. It is strong and flexible and is meant to offer a long life.

Final Thoughts

We really hope that after going through this blog, we have managed to answer your question, “what is trenchless sewer repair?” Just to recap, trenchless sewer repair is a modern solution that enables you to fix the sewer pipes without all the mess and destruction of regular digging operations. The trenchless technology provides you with a much cleaner, quicker, and more cost-effective alternative for your typical sewer line problems, whether it be pipe lining or pipe bursting.

So next time your sewer line gives you a headache, don’t panic—and don’t pick up the shovel just yet. Just give us a call and we will come down to your location and get your sewer system back to as good as new functionality – without the headache!

What is Snaking a Drain and How to Use a Drain Snake? Get Full Info Here!

April 13, 2025April 13, 2025Travis TaylorUncategorized

Hey homeowners! Ever faced the nightmare scenario of standing ankle-deep in murky shower water, wondering if your drain is plotting revenge for all those lost hairs? Relax! At Ontario Pipe Lining, your friendly neighborhood sewer heroes, we’re here to help you master the art of snaking a drain like a pro. In the event there is a bigger sewer clog or cracked pipeline underground, we also specialize in services like trenchless sewer line replacement in Toronto as well as other cities, all the way till Kingston! This includes cities like Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Prince Edward county, Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, all the way till Kingston, Ontario. If you’re looking for the best sewer repair services like cured-in-place pipelining, sewer relining and drain repair & cleaning, get in touch with us ASAP.

But first things first—let’s understand exactly what we’re dealing with.

What Does Snaking the Drain Mean?

Snaking a drain is a procedure that utilizes a long, flexible cable to dislodge and clear clogs from your main drain line. The cable is fed into your drain and turned to dislodge any obstructions. After the clog has been dislodged, it can be washed away, and your plumbing system can drain properly again.

Why Do Drains Get Clogged?

Understanding your enemy is half the battle. Let’s look at some of the most common causes of drain clogs, which include:

Hair and Soap Scum: These clingy culprits often gather in showers and bathroom sinks, curling up into a ball that leads to slow drains and backed up showers.
Food Waste: Kitchen drains suffer from fats, oils, grease, and food particles that buildup over time, hardening and causing slow drains or clogged drains altogether.
Foreign Objects: Sometimes, curious kids or accidental drops result in toys or small objects lodged in pipes.
Tree Roots: Yes, nature can conspire against you by infiltrating sewer lines, not only leading to tree roots inside sewers, but also cracked sewers – what do you get with a compromised sewer system? Slow drains, backups and pungent smell permeating from the bathroom and kitchen drains.

How to Use a Drain Snake – DIY Edition!

Feeling brave? Let’s tackle this together! Here’s your step-by-step guide on how to snake a drain:

Step 1: Gear Up!

Pick your weapon wisely—a hand-held drain snake or a motorized auger for tougher jobs. Always wear gloves (trust us, you’ll thank us later).

Step 2: Insert & Twist

Gently insert the snake cable into the drain. Keep pushing until you feel resistance. Congratulations! You’ve found the culprit.

Step 3: Crank & Conquer

Slowly rotate the snake’s handle clockwise. This action grabs the clog so you can pull it out or break it up. Remember—slow and steady wins the drain-clearing race!

Step 4: Remove & Repeat

Pull the snake out slowly and prepare yourself mentally—clogs aren’t pretty! If the clog is persistent, repeat the process.

Step 5: Flush & Celebrate!

Once the clog is clear, flush the drain with hot water. Your drain’s now clear, your hero status confirmed.

When Should You Call for Backup?

Sometimes the clog isn’t just stubborn—it’s downright hostile. If you’ve tried snaking the drain and it’s still backing up, it’s time to call in professional reinforcements (that’s us!). Here’s when you might need our plumbing snake service:

The clog is deeper down the pipe than your snake can reach
Your drain keeps backing up repeatedly
The blockage seems to involve tree roots or pipe damage

Plumber Cost to Unclog Sink – What’s the Deal?

Wondering about the plumber cost to unclog sink drains? Typically, drain cleaning is such a varied service, ranging from minor to requiring sewer repairs, it’s very difficult to quote an average cost. However, at Ontario Pipe Lining, we waive off our $300 sewer camera inspection fee if our clients book sewer repairs or sewer lining service with us! That’s our way to lessening the burden on our valued clients!

Why Trust Ontario Pipe Lining with Your Drain Snaking Needs?

Are you frantically searching for “Plumber to Snake Drain Near Me” on Google? Look no further! At Ontario Pipe Lining, we provide a rapid, reliable and effective drain-clearing solution by employing advanced techniques and equipment to clean even the most difficult obstructions.

Here’s what makes Ontario Pipe Lining stand out from other plumbing companies:

Expertise: Over a decade of professional drain cleaning, sewer repair and sewer lining/relining experience.
Reputation: Stellar reviews from satisfied customers across the GTA.
Technology: Advanced equipment for diagnosing and clearing blockages.
Customer Care: Transparent pricing, respectful service, and thorough follow-ups.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does snaking the drain mean?

Snaking the drain means using a special tool (a drain snake or auger) to remove hair, soap buildup, and all the gunk stuck in your pipe. Think of it as using a flexible, twist superhero wand that dives into your drain, catches the clog, and free your pipe, bringing back that satisfactory water flow. This is basically your secret weapon for battling with deeply hidden nasty stuff within your plumbing!

2. What does snaking mean in plumbing?

Snaking is plumbing’s method of introducing a twirly, flexible superhero into your pipe to fight the bad guys—those nasty clogs. With a specialized tool called a plumbing snake or a drain auger, a plumber (or a brave DIYer) gently pushes and rotates this cable into the pipe to break up clogs made of hair, grease, food, and other muck that won’t move. It’s essentially your sneaky little secret to maintaining your drains flowing freely without creating an enormous mess. Imagine it like unclogging your pipes with a touch of plumbing magic!

3. What is a drain snake used for?

A drain snake is your plumbing’s best friend when your pipes are in trouble! It’s a handy, flexible tool that goes way down into drains to eliminate frustrating blockages—such as hairballs, food particles, soap scum, and other unknown pipe cloggers. It‘s like your plumbing‘s own superhero: it twists, turns, and grasps those ugly clogs to get your pipes flowing smoothly again! It’s basically the perfect solution to avoid messy backups and save the day (and your sanity)!

4. How does snaking work?

Imagine your pipe’s got traffic congestion—hair, grease, gunk, and god-knows-what are all clogged up, keeping water from flowing through. That’s where snaking a drain steps in like the traffic officer your pipes didn’t even realize they needed.

A drain snake is a soft, long metal cable that wiggles down into your pipes. When it reaches the clog, it shatters it or grips onto it so you can pull it out (ick, but it works!). No boom, no drama—just twist, crank, and clear.

It’s a little messy, satisfyingly so, and much more enjoyable than listening to your sink groan in pain each time you fill it up to do the dishes.

5. What is the cost of a plumbing snake service near me?

Well, if you’re looking to go down the DIY route when it comes to unclogging you drains then the cost simply involves buying a simple drain snake from the nearest hardware store or ordering it online.

If you are feeling a bit adventurous, opting for a mechanical drain auger can help you reach places a simply drain snake can’t.

If you don’t have the time to figure all the ins and outs of drain cleaning, you will need to call a plumber for a drain snake service. The cost of a plumbing snake service near you depends on the severity of the clog and your location. For example, a drain snaking service in Toronto will be much higher compared to a similar service in a smaller town. At Ontario Pipe Lining, we generally waive off our $300 sewer camera inspection fee if our clients book a sewer repair or sewer lining service with us.

But here’s the best part: at Ontario Pipe Lining, we believe in clear pricing, honest advice, and zero surprises. So no mysterious fees or “uh-oh” charges. Just great service, friendly pros, and drains that behave. Get in touch with us and let us tame your drains!

How Much Does Trenchless Sewer Repair Cost?

March 17, 2025March 17, 2025Travis TaylorUncategorized

Handling sewer line problems can be a time consuming and expensive process given typical repair methods that call for digging of your landscaping, driveway, or yard. Modern technology in Toronto and all over the world has thankfully offered a more efficient and less invasive alternative—trenchless sewer repair in Toronto. This sophisticated approach gives a permanent answer for broken pipes while lowering disturbance levels. We will discuss the factors influencing prices in this post and help you decide if this technique is appropriate for your home or business—especially if you are wondering how much trenchless sewer line replacement cost could vary depending on your circumstances.

What is Trenchless Sewer Line Replacement and Its Cost?

Trenchless sewer line tech allows for broken sewer pipes to be replaced or renovated without major digging. Whereas conventional approaches have a need of digging trenches to access the pipes, trenchless methods limit damage to property, time saving, and work costs.

Trenchless sewer repair uses mainly two main techniques:

Pipe Lining (CIPP – Cured-in-Place Pipe Lining): Using a flexible, resin coated liner placed into the damaged pipe and cured on site produces a fresh, seamless pipe inside the old one.

Underground Pipe Bursting: A new pipe is dragged through the damaged one, hence effectively breaking the old pipe down and replacing it together.

Either way, they provide long and robust solutions with little upheaval to your property.

Factors That Affect Trenchless Sewer Line Replacement Cost

The trenchless sewer line replacement cost varies based on several factors. Although in the long term, trenchless repair is in general less expensive than conventional digging, the exact cost will depend on the following factors:

1. Length of the Pipe Requiring Repair

Trenchless sewer repair is usually priced by linear foot. The longer the defective part, the more the overall cost. Depending on how difficult the repair is, average prices vary.

2. Level of Destruction

Pipes that need total replacement, the pipe bursting technique will be more expensive than minor leaks or fractures that need pipe lining. More severe damage results in greater restoration expenses.

3. Sewer Line Availability.

More labor and specialized equipment might be needed—hence a higher total expense—if your sewer line is buried far down or blocked by great tree roots.

4. Existing Pipe Contents

Older pipes composed of clay, cast iron, or Orangeburg material may need more work before trenchless techniques can be applied, therefore increasing the cost.

5. Local Legislation and Licenses

Some communities might add to the total bill by demanding permissions before starting sewer line replacements. Checking with local officials helps always to make sure rules are followed.

6. Skills of Contractors and Workers

Although it may be more costly at first, hiring a well known contractor with much trenchless sewer repair expertise could save money in the long term by reducing future repairs and guaranteeing craftsmanship.

Average Cost of Trenchless Sewer Line Replacement

Factors such as the length of the pipe, the extent of damage, and the approach employed for repair influence the trenchless sewer repair cost. Sewer repairs usually result in 25 to 30 feet of liner and cost between $4000 and $6500, but this varies. Though conventional dig and replace techniques might appear less expensive at first, they usually result in more restoration bills that quickly accumulate to $40,000 in repairs, not to mention the disturbance of dugout backyards, floors, and walls. Trenchless technology helps to save on both time and property damage, hence a more cost effective alternative over time.

Is Trenchless Sewer Repair Worth the Cost?

Although trenchless sewer repair has a greater initial price than conventional digging, it provides many benefits that make it a good investment:

Time Savings: Trenchless approaches take days rather than weeks to reduce interference with your living style.
Eliminates Property Damage: You save several thousand dollars on repair bills since there will be no need to rip up your patio, driveway, or front lawn.
Durable Materials: Trenchless repair materials are generally long lasting and sometimes reach fifty years.
EcoFriendly: Ecofriendly, means less excavation, lower environmental effect, and little waste.

How to Best Price Trenchless Sewer Repair

For those thinking about trenchless sewer repair, here are few ideas to help maximize the value of your expenditure:

Get Multiple Quotes: Get several bids since prices might differ substantially among contractors and comparing them will let you locate a reasonable offer.
Verify Contractor Credentials: assure your vendor has customer recommendations and expertise.
Inquire About Guarantees: A respected firm would have warranties on its work to soothe everything.
Understand the Estimate’s Contents: Verify that your estimate includes all required work, including inspections, permits, and cleanup.
Search for Financing Solutions: Some businesses have finance schemes to help people more efficiently handle expenses.

Book A Consultation Today

Avoid turning your property into a construction zone! Ontario Pipe Lining offers hassle-free trenchless sewer line replacement in Toronto. Contact us for a quick consultation and enjoy a seamless, no-dig solution. We serve Toronto, as well as Oshawa, Peterborough, Prince Edward County, Belleville, Brighton, Kingston and a lot more cities. Call now or fill out our online form to schedule your appointment!

The Best Practices for Condo Pipe Maintenance

May 1, 2020February 14, 2022Travis TaylorBest Practices

We frequently encounter the same problem in condominiums across Ontario: Property Managers are experiencing ongoing backups and drainage issues in their pipes, despite regular flushing and costly, labour-intensive repairs.

This begs the questions: why aren’t Property Managers and Condominium Corporations exploring long-term methods to reduce capital costs when sanitary and storm plumbing systems need to be replaced?

The reality is, the majority of Property Managers don’t have a roadmap for replacing their plumbing systems. Although critical sanitary and storm systems are just as important as roofs, windows, or other building systems, they are not accurately budgeted for and are often run to fail.

If you are a Property Manager, you may be wondering:

“Where do I start?”
“How can I proactively approach pipe repair and save costs?”
“Do I need to build a maintenance plan?”

These are all questions we commonly receive from clients. To help get you thinking long-term, we’ve answered these questions and more by outlining a few steps you should be taking to prepare for the future replacement of your building’s sanitary and storm systems.

1. Request a recording of the drain that backed up.

If you are experiencing regular plumbing failures or backups, ensure your contract plumber has the ability to record video footage of the problem before and after it has been cleared. Although plumbing contractors are often skilled at removing blockages or flushing a line, if they are not taking before and after video footage, it is difficult to pinpoint the cause of the backup. Be prepared to pay extra for this recording, but the footage can be shared with OPL to review on a complimentary basis.

This video footage will help to eliminate guesswork, identify drains that need increased maintenance, or to reveal larger problems that could otherwise lead to unbudgeted emergency repairs. If your stacks or horizontal mains aren’t undergoing frequent repair, video assessments are still a proactive, cost-effective measure that should be taken on an annual basis at the very least.

2. When stacks are flushed, request the exact scope of work.

The best way to stay on top of problematic stacks is by keeping track of old statements of work. Ask your contract plumber to outline what stacks were flushed, how many feet were flushed, and where the stacks were accessed (unit numbers, floor, etc). Be sure to keep track of backup history, maintenance work, and flushing dates. It’s also useful to use drawings or blueprints to track cleanouts and repairs in specific buildings or suites and cross-reference back to stack numbers (ie 07, 02 stack etc.)

This documentation streamlines the condition assessment process and gives our technicians an understanding of the current state of your building, its history, and which stacks require scheduled maintenance. Similar to video assessments, it will allow us to spend less time investigating the issue and more time on the repair itself.

3. Look beyond kitchen stack maintenance.

Don’t neglect the other pipe systems in your building. We understand kitchen stacks have the most problems and require frequent maintenance, but it’s important to at least have video footage and documentation of your other pipe systems. Allocate a small amount of your yearly budget to maintaining and assessing each of the stacks in your building. This includes: vent stacks, laundry, toilet, and other wet stacks, storm stacks and lateral mains.

4. Start building a maintenance plan.

At OPL, we focus on being proactive rather than reactive. This means that we want to work with you to conduct regular condition assessments, build an ongoing, sustainable maintenance plan, and ensure reserve funds are spent as efficiently as possible.

Our goal is to predict emergency repairs before they happen, and a condition assessment is the ideal place to start. For more information on condo pipe maintenance or to schedule your condition assessment, get in touch today.

Case Study: 1441 Lawrence St E

January 24, 2020January 24, 2020Travis TaylorCase Studies

At an aging apartment building in North York, Ontario Pipe Lining cleaned, repaired, and lined 10 thinning and clogged copper kitchen stacks to avoid a full building re-pipe.

Project: The third-party property manager had been dealing with costly kitchen stack back-ups and drain clogs on an ongoing basis, resulting in regular inconveniences for apartment residents. The job needed to be completed before Christmas, so the timing was tight. After reaching out to Ontario Pipe Lining, our technicians started with a video assessment of the building to pinpoint the source of the issue and devise a repair plan.

Site: 1441 Lawrence Avenue East, North York, Ontario.

System: 15-20-year-old copper stacks (10 stacks, 1200 linear feet of 2”, 3” and 4”) in an 18-story apartment building.

Problem: Our condition assessment revealed that the bottom of each stack was plugged as it connected to the horizontal main. The horizontal main was blocked at 38 feet with grease buildup, impacting the entire system of connecting stacks and creating frequent back-ups in the 250 unit apartment tower. Plumbers cut and provided a sample of the thinning copper stack during a section repair. The copper stacks had broken down and thinned to the thickness comparable to an aluminum pop can, and could easily be bent or crushed.

Copper stacks have a tendency to thin as time progresses due to erosion from high flow rates and corrosive forces from the chemicals and debris being put down the drain. Even the chemicals used to treat drinking water interact with the ferrous metal and eventually corrode its integrity.

Because the building’s pipes were so thin and fragile, stalling the repair process could have eliminated drain re-lining as a viable option. Once pipes become too thin, our epoxy liner is left with nothing to bond to.

Solution: OPL prepared a sample to show the effectiveness of the liner in re-newing the copper drain stack. The building owner appreciated that the kitchen cabinets and finishes didn’t need to be removed or restored during the drain re-lining process, saving a considerable amount of time and money.

The thinning copper pipes were re-lined with an epoxy solution, which restored pipes to the thickness of the original copper stack. Our epoxy lining is inert to erosion and corrosion, resulting in a longer-lasting, back-up resistant stack. As grease is unlikely to adhere to the plastic lining, this permanent epoxy solution would also prevent the corrosive flows from continuing to break down and degrade the sanitary stacks.

The drain relining process allowed the system to be fully restored to operational standards without removing and re-installing the building residents’ kitchens, walls or surrounding finishes. The entire 10-kitchen stack system or 1200 linear feet of 2, 3 and 4” copper stacks were cleaned, repaired, and lined on schedule with minimal disruption to the tenants.

Prior to repair, 1441 Lawrence was among many apartment buildings and condos in Toronto that didn’t maintain its stacks with an annual or bi-annual flushing program. Regular pipe maintenance is important, but once the stacks have been neglected for 5+ years, it may be time to allocate your maintenance budget to a re-lining project instead. Once the pipes have been re-lined, regular maintenance can occur every 8-10 years without risk of failure.

If you are an apartment or condo building manager dealing with regular pipe back-ups and clogs, contact us for more information on how you can start a re-lining or regular maintenance plan.

The FAQs of Pipe Lining: What You Need to Know

December 20, 2019April 14, 2025Travis TaylorThought Leadership

1. What types and sizes of pipes does OPL line?

We can camera, clean, and re-line any horizontal or vertical storm or sanitary drain from 1.5 to 12 inches in diameter including vertical sanitary stacks, horizontal sewer lines, mains, and roof drain systems and more.

Our clients include residential buildings (condos, apartments, houses), commercial and industrial (shopping malls, high rise offices, airports), health care facilities (hospitals, nursing homes), schools and universities, historical buildings, and municipalities

2. How can I tell when my pipe should be re-lined?

A visual inspection of the exterior of the pipes can show cracks, leaks, rust, mold, clogged or slow drains and backups are all signs of a damaged pipe. Alternatively, you can check your maintenance records (if they exist) to understand how many times the drain needs to be unclogged. A video assessment by an OPL technician will indicate the condition of your pipes and inform the repair process

3. Why should I re-line my pipes as opposed to replacing them?

First, it is important to understand why the pipe is failing in the first place: corrosion and erosion of the drain. CIPP drain re-lining will separate the flow from interacting with the ferrous metal pipe and stop the pipe from corroding. Additionally, as CIPP is a plastic derivative, its inert surface wont allow the pipe wall to thin by way of erosion.

Lastly, traditional pipe repairs when finished need to be removed in order to reach the pipe are time consuming, expensive, and disruptive to tenants as the finishes need to be replaced.

CIPP lining provides a cost-effective, non-disruptive alternative and extends the useful life of the original pipe. It also saves waste and prevents old, unusable pipes from going to a landfill. It is particularly valuable in high-impact spaces where sanitation and safety is a priority (hospitals, high-rise towers, schools, etc.).

We also offer maintenance services and routine condition assessments, to ensure your pipes continue to run smoothly over the years.

4. What kind of access is required to repair a pipe line?

Most often, additional access points do not need to be created to re-line a pipe. Our non-invasive approach allows technicians to use pre-existing access points instead of removing drywall and finishes or damaging the surrounding area.

5. What is the lifespan of OPL’s liner?

Once the pipes have been re-lined, our epoxy-felt liner extends their lifespan by another 30 to 50 years.

6. Does the water need to be turned off in my building when the pipes are being repaired?

Yes, as once the bladder is inflated the drain is inoperable until the curing process has finished and the bladder is removed. Typically, we will restore the operation of the drain at the end of each day.

7. How can OPL help me create a preventative plan to avoid emergency pipe repairs?

We encourage our clients to take a proactive approach to pipe maintenance, to decrease the likelihood of emergency repairs, large-scale problems, and future piping issues. Contact us and tell us the issues you are facing or what drain is causing a major headache on an ongoing basis and we can walk the site and provide you a proposal for a condition assessment and consultation.

Hand holding clogged pipe before cleaning

Predict Emergency Repairs Before They Happen With Video Assessments

December 20, 2019February 14, 2022Travis TaylorBest Practices

Are you running your building’s sanitary and storm piping systems to fail because there are no viable solutions on the market? Traditionally, individual pipe sections would be replaced as they become clogged, corroded or unusable. What if there was a way to change that mindset and take a proactive approach to pipe repair? What if a cost-effective solution could be provided that would save 30-50% of these traditional replacement costs?

At Ontario Pipe Lining (OPL), we know that the longer you go between maintaining sanitary drains only increases the chance of major problems occurring in the future. These backups, floods are often unbudgeted, costly to repair and utilize scarce operational resources at the site.

Next time a section of drain pipe needs to be replaced, hire a plumber who can record a CCTV video of the pipe and share it OPL for a complimentary assessment to review and provide you an alternative method to clean and re-line the drain.

The camera will help to identify drains that need increased maintenance (flushing) or to identify larger problems that can be solved with trenchless CIPP repair methods. Not only does this streamline the repair process, but it will help prevent follow-up maintenance costs and emergency repairs from occurring in the future.

OPL technicians use CCTV video inspections to eliminate guesswork and to pinpoint the source of the piping issue. The visual inspection can help to evaluate the location, condition, and diameter of the damaged pipe.

Depending on the size and scale of a job site, video inspections of multiple drains within a building can typically be completed within a day or two. We can share our findings and partner with operational staff and their building engineers to coordinate a repair plan. Based on our observations, we can offer insight that the majority of traditional plumbers cannot provide as they are less familiar with CIPP trenchless repairs methods.

Once the pipes have been repaired using our minimal-disruption CIPP (cured-in-place-pipe) method, preventative video inspection can occur on a regular or annual basis to ensure everything is in working order and traditional maintenance programs can be deferred 3, 5 or even 10 years.

We offer video inspections for residential, commercial, industrial, and high-risk spaces (hospitals, other health care facilities, multi-story condos, hotels, and office towers) in Toronto, the GTA, and Southern Ontario. Read more about how we use video assessments to identify complex piping issues in our case study on the E.C Drury School.

Don’t wait until the last minute to get your deteriorated pipes assessed. We recognize that emergency pipe repairs can take a toll on condos, hospitals, schools and other high-traffic buildings with multi-story stacks. Calling the right professionals at the right time can be the difference between an easy repair and a long-term problem. For more information on how we can help, please visit our page How Drain Re-Lining Works or contact us today to book a video inspection.

Case Study: Ernest C. Drury School

October 10, 2019January 24, 2020Travis TaylorCase Studies

For the E.C. Drury School in Milton, Ontario, Ontario Pipe Lining mechanically cleaned, lined, and restored a 150 ft-long corroded pipe system using Nu Flow technology.

Project: E.C. Drury’s pipes were heavily backed up with calcite, causing water to flood onto the building’s new roof. The school’s roofing engineer believed Nu Flow’s Nu Drain product could help prevent further damage after the new roof was installed. Ontario Pipe Lining was brought on the project to mechanically remove the calcite build-up and restore the piping system before over 200 students returned from summer vacation.

Site: The E.C. Drury School for the Deaf in Milton, Ontario, built in 1980.

System: 150 ft of 6 and 8-inch in diameter storm drain.

Problem: E.C. Drury had recently completed a $5 million dollar roof installation, however, a section of the new roof was flooded with water during a rainstorm. As this problem continued, the roofing contractor, the engineer, and the school tried to determine a solution. The engineer thought the problem could be related to the storm drain and contacted Ontario Pipe Lining for a condition assessment.

Ontario Pipe Lining was awarded a small contract to line 75 ft of 6” underground storm drain. When Ontario Pipe Lining began assessing the downstream access, the condition of the pipe was reviewed and the problem was bigger than expected. The condition assessment confirmed the location and revealed that the main drain changed sized to 8”. An access pit was created outside on the grass and once the pipe had been opened OPL could fully inspect its condition.

The problem was much larger than simply relining a section of the deteriorated cast iron pipe inside the building. When the pipe expanded from 6” to 8”, the calcite (caused by the hard water) has restricted the flow of the pipe to 1” from the top of the pipe. Without a video inspection, it would’ve been challenging to assess the condition of the pipes and the degree to which they needed to be cleaned to ensure working order.

Solution: The video inspection revealed that the school’s hard water had created a heavy build-up of calcite within the pipe, restricting the flow from 6” and 8” to less than an inch over the 150 ft of the line. In order for the Nu Flow lining to attach itself onto the inside wall of the pipe, the calcite build-up needed to be thoroughly cleaned. Mechanical cleaning would also allow the pipe to open back up to its original diameter. As a result, the amount of lining required to renew the pipe doubled to 150 ft of 6” and 8” drain re-lining.

The pipe was mechanically cleaned by inserting a ½” cable with a variety of cutting heads designed to pulverize and re-open the pipe’s original diameter.

After the pipe had been cleaned, it was lined using one of Ontario Pipe Lining’s key manufacturer’s CIPP technology. With over 12 years of experience lining small diameter pipes, Ontario Pipe Lining can be trusted to install code-compliant CIPP drain re-lining technology.

This CIPP technique allowed the pipe to be fully restored and lined, while avoiding large scale trenching and destruction of the surrounding area. Once the line had been strung, the pipe was repaired by pulling in the liner, verifying it was in place with a drain camera, and finally inflating a bladder up against the inside wall until the liner had cured. Once the pipe had cured, the bladder was removed, and final CCTV inspections were made to ensure the pipe was ready for immediate use.

Ontario Pipe Lining worked to get the job site cleaned before E.C. Drury’s students returned from summer vacation. Using the CIPP method, the newly-lined pipe is now stronger and more resilient to the water’s high calcite content, extending its lifetime to another 30 to 50 years. Routine video inspections will ensure the pipe is being properly cleaned and maintained over the years.

Before and After CIPP - Ontario Pipe Lining

Trenchless Piping Technology and CIPP: A Proactive Solution to Pipe Repair

August 14, 2019August 15, 2019Travis TaylorOur Technology

Pipe repair has traditionally been a reactive, costly, time consuming, and destructive procedure. What many don’t know is that there is a viable, economical, and proactive alternative.

Trenchless or CIPP (cured-in-place-pipe) technology is more resilient, safe, versatile, and cost effective than traditional plumbing methods. It is nearly disruption and destruction-free, allowing damaged pipes or end-of-life pipes to be fully restored and renewed while minimizing hazardous mess and environmental impact.

To help you better understand how CIPP technology can be used within a variety of industrial, commercial, and residential settings, Ontario Pipe Lining (OPL) has outlined its top benefits.

Advanced, preventative plumbing technology:

CIPP and other “trenchless” pipe restoration methods do not require the old, damaged, or corroded pipes to be dug up, removed, and replaced.

Instead, CIPP uses a “pipe within a pipe” solution, where felt liners are wet out and an epoxy saturates the felt and the “sock” is inserted within the damaged pipe and cured in place, resulting in a stronger, longer-lasting solution. Once the lining has been cured, the lifetime of the pipe is extended for another 30 to 50 years, and flushing maintenance can occur less frequently.

Highly versatile and applicable in nearly every type of building and environment:

Ontario Pipe Lining offers horizontal and vertical sanitary and storm drains inspection, cleaning and lining for diameters ranging from 1.5″ up to 12″ inside and outside condominiums, commercial and industrial buildings, universities, hospitals and health care facilities, hotels, and more.

In hospitals, CIPP technology is used to provide a non-invasive solution that doesn’t compromise the safety and health of building inhabitants and patients. In shopping malls, it has been used to ensure plumbing issues do not interfere with high-traffic public spaces. CIPP technology is also crucial in office towers to prevent construction from disturbing quiet workspaces and day-to-day tasks.

Minimal destruction and disruption:

Without a doubt, CIPP technology is the ideal solution for those looking to minimize the destruction of pipe surroundings, reduce health and safety hazards, and ensure building inhabitants can go about their day without facing disruptive construction.

Not to mention, consider the cost savings incurred by reducing labour costs. Traditional plumbing is highly destructive, meaning it requires costly “put back” to fix walls and ceilings, repave floors, paint and clean up the construction site after plumbing rehabilitation has occurred.

Significant cost savings:

With CIPP methods, the outcome of the pipe restoration is a stronger, more damage-resilient pipe. CIPP technology also uses a higher standard of cleaning, as drain relining requires the pipe to be opened to 98% of its original diameter throughout the process. As a result, yearly maintenance is eliminated and pipe replacements costs are reduced by 30-50%.

To monitor the condition of the pipes, Ontario Pipe Lining provides camera inspections of the pipe stacks pre and post cleaning. This will provide insight to when the pipes need to be cleaned or restored in the future and ensure only necessary maintenance is occuring.

Ontario Pipe Lining is a leading small diameter trenchless pipe restoration and cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) company serving Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area. Contact us today for more information on CIPP technology or to receive a complimentary budget assessment for your next plumbing project.

Case Study: Woodbine Grandstand- Roof Drains

May 7, 2019August 15, 2019Travis TaylorCase Studies

“The support, planning in advance and execution in the field and the follow up was unparalleled.” – Chris Edge – Senior PM StratEdge Management

Situation

A very challenging project that involved inaccessible pipes, working at heights and engineering challenges.
50-year-old storm drains continually leaked onto the grandstand seating.
Traditional repair methods were not affordable.

Benefits of Nu Flow Solution

Nu Flow’s Nu Drain product was used to line 9 roof drain sections 130LF long.
The pipe sizes ranged from 4” to 8” in diameter.
In all just under 1400 linear feet was lined using only 18 points of access including the roof.