Epoxy Pipe Lining Repairs & Epoxy Pipe Coating Service

Why Repipe?® Avoid the mess and fix pipes in-place with ePIPE. Protect your property from slab leaks, corrosion and contaminants from leaching into your water. In many cases, your water will be back on the same day.

What is epoxy coating?

Have you heard of epoxy pipe coating? Sometimes referred to as epoxy pipelining, this method completely renews and restores corroded, leaking, or old pipes. 

Epoxy coating differs from trenchless or CIPP (cured-in-place pipe) methods of pipe repair. The epoxy coating application process works by applying a coat of epoxy resin to the interior of an existing host pipe as opposed to installing a new pipe within an old pipe.

An epoxy coating is applied to the inside of the pipe, sealing all leaks and fortifying the overall pipe system. 

The goal of the epoxy coating is to prevent further issues (such as pinhole leaks, slab leaks, and pipe corrosion) and to repair any existing damage found in piping systems.

If your home is older, perhaps constructed in the last 50 years, the plumbing system likely uses copper piping. As time passes, the copper pipe may erode, which eventually leads to leaks and other problems. Eventually, you may have to make maintenance and repairs that can add up and become costly. 

While it is common for copper piping to wear out eventually, it doesn’t mean you must replace the entire plumbing system. 

When you choose an epoxy coating, you can repair damage to the pipes while preventing additional damage to your pipes in the future.

The best part? You save a ton of time, headaches, and avoid inconvenience by opting for this method instead of going with a traditional repair.

In this article, we’ll cover how an epoxy pipe repair works, the benefits of epoxy coating, and the difference between epoxy and traditional methods.
 

How the Epoxy Pipe Repair Process Works

The epoxy pipe coating/pipelining process is a cost-effective alternative to replacing or repairing your old piping. The technique helps create a new protective barrier coating inside the current, damaged pipe. Most modern plumbing systems are considered a good candidate for epoxy pipe coatings.

Want to know what goes into an entire epoxy pipe repair process? Here are the 4 basic stages of the coating/lining process: 

1. Step 1: Evaluation. Your water pipes will be inspected and evaluated to determine the extent of the damage. This step is done using a pressure test or possibly, electronic leak location equipment.

2. Step 2: Preparation. Before the epoxy coating is applied, the water is drained from the potable plumbing lines that will be receiving the epoxy coating or lining. The piping system is dried with heated air, which loosens debris, corrosion, and makes it easier to clean. The pipes are then cleaned to remove all build-up and corrosion and the length of the coating needed is determined.

3. Step 3: Implementation. After the prep work is complete, the epoxy coating is blown in place using pressurized air. The pipe will then have a protective barrier coating of epoxy resin, which is allowed to cure fully. The curing process usually takes less than a couple of hours.

4. Step 4: Re-evaluation. After the epoxy coating is fully cured, an additional pressure test is done. It is conducted to ensure the piping system is properly coated and holding pressure to have the water turned back on. Once this is verified, the plumbing pipes are returned to active service.

While each job is unique, these are the general steps to ensure your pipes are restored and that the epoxy coating/epoxy lining successfully fixes the issues.

The ePIPE team can customize the application process based on the specific job and the particular problems with the home’s plumbing system. Consult with your local ePIPE representative.

Are All Pipes Good Candidates for the Epoxy Coating Process?

Most modern plumbing pipes are considered a good candidate for epoxy pipe coatings. The exception is piping with very thin walls or pipes that have experienced a blowout in the past. If this happens, it will be necessary to replace the pipes that are too worn to withstand the pipe coating process. This is one of the factors that is determined in the evaluation process.

Benefits of Coating Pipes with Epoxy

Epoxy pipe coating is a method used to repair pipes without having to worry about replacing them. A maybe not-so-obvious benefit is its durability. Epoxy-coated pipes will last beyond 50-60 years. Other specific benefits offered by coating pipes with epoxy include:

Versatility

ePIPE epoxy coating can be used to treat most pipe materials. It’s compatible with copper pipes, PVC, stainless steel, among most others. It’s a one-size-fits-all type of solution and for this reason, most home and building owners are turning to epoxy coating to meet their versatile needs.

More Affordable Than Complete Pipe Replacement

If you want to avoid the stress of spending money on completely updating your plumbing or water system, consider epoxy. A traditional re-pipe or complete pipe replacement can run seriously high and add up before you know it. The costs can add up when you include remediation costs needed to fix flooring, walls, ceilings, landscaping, or other structures in the home. If you are looking for an affordable and more convenient way to repair and restore your potable water pipes, epoxy coating is the way to go.

Offers a Permanent Fix

You may believe epoxy pipe coating is not as permanent a fix as pipe replacement because it seems like a temporary solution. This is not the case. The epoxy used for pipe coating is very strong and will fix most leaks while preventing them from occurring again in the future. This means you can use the current plumbing and piping in place without having to worry about any leaking where the epoxy resin has been applied.

Corrosion Prevention

A significant issue with pipes is that they are going to start to erode as time passes. This may cause leaks. When the pipe is coated with epoxy resin, it will protect the piping system from additional corrosion, create a permanent barrier, and eliminate the stress of water damage.

Reduced Hassle

If a leak occurs in your plumbing system, it can make a huge mess and take plumbers days or longer to find and fix the issue. If you invest in epoxy coating instead, it takes much less time and is not as messy or destructive. It is much easier for a plumber to line or coat the pipe with epoxy coating rather than remove the pipe and put it in a new one. The epoxy process also ensures minimal downtime. Your potable or drinking water is restored and safe to use as soon as the process is complete, and you don’t have to be displaced in the meantime.

Safer Water

Just like the epoxy coating protects the metal piping against corrosion, it will also prevent lead and other contaminants from leaching into the water. This is particularly important for older houses or properties where the pipes could corrode and leak contaminants into the water supply. 

Difference Between Epoxy Coating & Traditional Repiping

A traditional re-pipe job involves replacing old corroded pipes with new pipes. Usually, the new pipes are made of copper because of the high level of durability. 

An alternative to this is pipelining (epoxy coating). This involves applying an epoxy coating to the interior of the pipes, which helps prevent corrosion and leaks inside the pipe. The epoxy forms a barrier coating between the interior of the pipe and the material moving through it.

Along with repairing damages, it also prevents lead and other contaminants from leaching into your water.

Epoxy coating solutions are non-invasive. It can be cost-saving depending on your home and plumbing setup. As a result, you can save money and prevent future damage, making it an appealing option for fixing damaged or old pipes.

In most cases, epoxy coating is going to provide a suitable fix for most plumbing issues.

Contact ePIPE today

Think epoxy coating is the best solution for your home or building? Call us today to learn more about how we can help restore your home or building’s plumbing system.

We offer financing options for residential customers and even support you in your specialty projects.

With an affordable and non-invasive solution like an epoxy coating, it’s easy to see why most homeowners are ditching traditional methods of pipe repair. 

So, what’re you waiting for? Our team is ready to serve you today!