How do you repair a drain in a concrete floor?

Discovering a broken drain pipe under or within a concrete foundation can be a massive headache. Access to the pipe can be complicated and time-consuming and repairs can take days leading to expensive restoration works.

If you have a damaged pipe under or within a concrete floor, don't panic! There are repair techniques that can help.

One such technique is pipe relining. This process allows your drain plumber to fix the broken pipe without needing to dig it up.

In this blog post, we will discuss how pipe relining works and what benefits it offers. We will also provide some tips on how to choose the right plumbing company for the job. So, if you're in need of drain repair, read on!

How is pipe relining carried out?

Pipe relining is a pipe repair process that involves inserting a new pipe into the existing pipe. This new pipe is made of flexible material that conforms to the shape of the old pipe. Once inserted, the new pipe is inflated and left to cure. This curing process creates a strong bond between the old and new pipes, creating a seamless repair.

Let's go through this process in a bit more detail.

First, we need to take a step back. Pipe relining targets the damaged section of pipe only, which means before any work is carried out the plumber needs to identify the precise location of the crack or break, as well as the extent of the damage. This is achieved using a CCTV drain camera to perform a drain inspection. This device provides the drain repair team with a clear idea of what the issue is and where along the pipe the problem is located. The CCTV drain inspection can usually be carried out from an existing access point to examine the pipes under the concrete.

This information is used to determine where the new lining needs to be placed as well as the length of lining required to cover damaged sections fully.

The required length of the liner is then cut to size and impregnated with the specially designed resin which will harden once in place within the pipe.

A drum or packer is used to feed the lining along the pipe to the correct location. This can often be carried out using existing access points or via a small hole cut into an accessible section of the drain system around the concrete foundation.

Once in place, the lining is inflated using the drum or packer where it adheres to the inside of the old damaged pipe, sealing the cracks or breaks. The lining is then left to cure. Depending on the pipe relining system curing can require heat or just time to set.

The cured-in-place liner becomes very hard creating a new, super strong, watertight inner pipe inside the old pipe.

The drain camera is once again used to inspect the pipe ensuring that the pipe relining process has been successful and is securely in place.

Advantages of using pipe relining for broken pipes under concrete

There are many benefits to pipe relining over traditional drain repair methods. The main benefit for damaged pipes under concrete is that the process does not require digging up the old pipe for repairs or replacement. This can save a lot of time and money on removal and restoration costs, often working out much cheaper than alternative methods.

This process also offers a long lasting result, with most pipe relining products providing a design life of 25 to 50+ years.

The new liner not only seals the pipe stopping water leaks, but it also reduces the incidence of blocked drains which can often occur due to passing debris getting caught on the rough surface of the crack or break.

Additionally, pipe relining can be used on all types of pipes, including those made of concrete, clay, metal, and plastic.

Choosing a plumbing company for quality, long lasting pipe relining

If you're in need of pipe relining services, it's important to choose a reputable plumbing company. You can ask for recommendations from friends or family or search online for companies that have good reviews.

Your local Sydney sewer pipe lining specialists

We hope this blog post has been helpful in understanding pipe relining. If you have any further questions about repairs to damaged drain pipes under a concrete floor or would like to schedule a pipe relining service in Sydney, please don't hesitate to contact Pure Plumbing Professionals Sydney plumbers. We're always happy to help.