The Pros of Epoxy Pipe Coating

An Introduction to Epoxy Pipe Coating

Though flood damage is one of the most expensive repairs, leaky pipes, pipe bursting, water heater supply line issues, and appliance leaks cost are among the other costly repairs any home or business owner might encounter.

Water damage is one of the most common and costly home insurance claims. Water damage claims account for 24% of all home insurance claims and the average claim payout is $12,514, according to the most recent data from the Insurance Information Institute, 2023.

If your home or business needs pipe repairs but don’t want to pay anywhere near that much, it may be worth considering epoxy pipe coating (sometimes referred to as epoxy pipe lining) as a repair method.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the reasons why you may need it, how it works, as well as its pros so you can make an informed decision about how to handle your plumbing issues.

You Might Need Epoxy Pipe Coating If…

If your home or business is an older building, chances are your water system and pipes have degraded over time. Without inspection or proper preventative measures, this may lead to leaks. These leaks not only make your water bill higher but can lead to more extensive damage—this means more money to repair or stop the problem.

How might you know if you need epoxy pipe coating? Here are some signs to look for:

• High water bills: If you notice a steady, unexplained increase in your water bills, there is likely a leak somewhere. Even a small pinhole leak can cause a lot of damage if left unattended for a long time.
• Odor/molding: Water damage because of leaking pipes eventually leads to mold and mildew, which carry a distinct odor. If your home is suddenly experiencing an odor that can’t be explained, it’s a possible plumbing system issue.
• Puddles in the lawn: Water puddling in your lawn may indicate a slab leak. This is an issue with the pipes under the foundation of your home and, if left untreated, can lead to costly, time-consuming repairs.
• Sound of water dripping: If you hear water dripping even when no water faucets are running, there’s a leak somewhere.
• Low water pressure: A sudden drop in pressure indicates a problem somewhere in the plumbing system. If you didn’t manually adjust your pressure and notice that your sinks or showers are suddenly much slower, it’s a good indication of a leak.
   

How Does Epoxy Pipe Coating Work?

Epoxy coating is an alternative to traditional methods of pipe replacement.

It works by coating the inside of the existing pipe to create a new, fully functional pipe inside. The pipe lining seals any pinholes or cracks in the old pipe from corrosion. (You may also hear it referred to as cured-in-place pipe lining or CIPP.)

Epoxy-coated pipes are incredibly durable (some experts claim they can last up to 100 years), making them an economical alternative to traditional pipe materials that will break down within a few decades.

The pipe lining/coating process has three stages.

Evaluation

The first step to implementing epoxy pipe coating is to evaluate the existing or damaged pipes. This determines whether this plumbing method is a feasible solution.

Depending on the condition of the pipe system, repiping with PVC may be necessary. The evaluation can be conducted by using camera inspection to determine exactly what needs to be done to fix the issues.

A proper evaluation will also gauge whether the current piping meets the necessary requirements to accept an epoxy coating.

Preparation

Once it’s determined that epoxy coating is the appropriate method, the preparation process begins. Before any epoxy coating can be applied to your existing pipes, they need to be isolated, drained, dried, and cleaned.

Once the pipes are drained and dried, we will prepare the inside of the pipe using our patented burst sanding method, essentially sand blasting the inside of the pipe

Placement/Implementation

After all of the preparation has been completed, the epoxy coating can be placed. This happens by blowing through the pipe section a predetermined amount of resin.
 

Our specialized two-part epoxy resin cures in place to form a protective barrier coating between the old pipe and the new lining, all dine while the pipe remains “in-place”, without ripping into the floors, walls or ceilings of the building. Everything is left in place and homeowners get a new flow through their existing piping system without the mess, hassle and long timelines often associated with a repipe.
 

Pros of Epoxy Pipe Coating

Now that we know a little more about how the pipe coating process works, let’s review some of the method’s pros. Reviewing these can help every property owner decide whether or not ePIPE is right for them.

Pros of Epoxy Coating

• Cost-effective: Compared to traditional pipe replacement, a repipe, ePIPE can cost up to 50% less, when all costs are considered.  With ePIPE, pipes are restored in-place, avoiding the mess, hassle and long time lines often associated with a repipe.
• No displacement: This method can be done without you, or in the case of an income-producing property, your occupants, needing to vacate. You can remain inside your home with minimal to no disruptions. In almost all cases, your water supply is restored the very same day. Depending on the scope of the job, with ePIPE, your water supply can actually be restored in just a few hours. We have the fastest approved turn around time in the industry we operate in.
• Eco-friendly and safe: No need to worry about chemicals leaching into your drinking water. While copper or other traditional repipe methods sometimes leave your potable water supply vulnerable to leaching or lead, ePIPE and it’s LeadSmart program further focus on ways to protect this from happening.
• Durable: The pipe within the pipe will last longer than other pipe materials. Its proven durable solution or formula is proven to stand the test of time. It eliminates leaks and prevents new ones from forming.
• Lead and Copper Leaching: - If your property was built before 1986 the piping system likely has lead (Pb) contributors such as lead pipes, leaded solder used to hold your copper pipes together, and high content lead in its brass fixtures. ePIPE’S patented lead and copper reduction process can essentially eliminate heavy metals such as copper and lead from leaching into your drinking water supply. ePIPE will bring lead and copper leaching to well below the EPA and World Health Organization cut-off levels.
• Potential increase in resale value: If you ever decide to sell your home, a new plumbing system might create a great return on your investment.

Downside of Epoxy Coating

• Susceptible to delamination: This means the epoxy material fractures into layers and can sometimes (though very rarely) fail. ePIPE has been engineered for its intended application and is applied using a quality controlled program.
• Reduction in pipe diameter: After our proprietary coating cures, you’ll have a new pipe, but it will be slightly smaller in diameter since it’s working within the structure of the old pipe. ePIPE is an approved plumbing product/process that takes into consideration the potential effect on water flow. As part of our quality control, flow tests are conducted at each fixture before and after the ePIPE process. 

Is Epoxy Right for You?

If you’re frustrated by frequent leaks and dealing with clogs, it may be worth considering epoxy-based pipe repair.

At ePIPE, we have a wide network of qualified plumbers who specialize in epoxy coating. Contact us to learn more about our services and how our financing options make the repair process more affordable.