Frequently asked questions

Why should I line my pipes instead of re-piping them?

By choosing relining with us, you will save time, hassle, and a lot of money. Consider the additional costs associated with traditional re-piping: tearing into walls; hotel living for weeks or months. Not to mention hiring the right contractors and plumber and the reconstruction after the new pipes are installed.

How can I tell if there’s a problem with my plumbing?

Signs of plumbing problems include poor water flow, hot or warm spots on your floors, radical temperature change when more than one water faucet is running, obvious leaks or water stains, mold, and knocking or pinging sounds.

How much does it cost?

Cost depends on the number of plumbing fixtures, the layout and design of the piping system, and the type of pipe material. We can guarantee that relining will cost less than re-piping on any given project. Estimates are free.

THE 6-STEP PROCESS

We run diagnostic tests on the water delivery system.

We upgrade the valve system is upgraded.

We dry the pipes.

We clean the rust and debris out of the pipes.

Our robots line the pipe interior with epox--all leaks are permanently sealed.

USA Pipelining’s 15 Year Pipelining Warranty begins.

High Rise apartment buildings or condominiums present problems for sewage management. After about thirty years after installation, the original vertical pipes will begin to crack and leak. The damage results in damp walls, mildew, mold, and mildew smell that will permeate the building.  

The pipes installed during construction of high rises in the 1980’s were all made of metal and therefore vulnerable to rust and corrosion. Eventually, they begin to crack and leak.

Most apartment owners will take matters into their own hands and have the problem repaired by breaking down the affected wall and having new pipes fitted, rebuilt, and repainted. This is an expensive and messy operation and only solves the local problem. It does not address the systemic problems of the entire building. 

This scenario can be avoided through fast, strategic action. The most efficient solution is “cured-in-place pipe” lining (or CIPP), which is cleaner and more cost-effective than competing methods.

How Is USA Pipelining Installed?

The first step is to thoroughly clean out the existing pipes. There are two ways of doing this. The first way involves the use of a high-pressure water jet. This is not an ideal option because the pressure may cause small cracks to grow. The second way involves the use of special brushes made from steel. These brushes scour out all the built-up debris. 

The next step is to run a video inspection camera through the pipe to measure its length and locate all connections. We then prepare the epoxy and line the pipes with our coating robots. 

The coating is applied to a thickness of 7 to 30 mils. The pipe diameters shrink marginally and have never caused velocity or delivery problems. In face, the existing pipes in your building already have a coating with 5 to 10 mils of copper oxide (green scale ) in copper pipes, and much more than that if you have galvanized and other metal pipes. 

While the corrosion build up in pipes may not be as thick as the epoxy lining we apply, the products of corrosion currently coating your pipes are extremely rough causing turbulence and reduced water flow. By contrast, lined pipes are smooth as glass. And will not restrict water flow. Most importantly, unlike new pipes, they remain glassy smooth permanently. We offer a 15-year warranty on our work after the job is completed. Epoxy Pipelining can be installed anywhere from 1/2” to 60” diameter in pipe size. We use a plural robotic spray head system for pipes larger than 2”. 

Where can pipelining be done:

Waste Water Distribution

Cooling Tower Systems

Chilled Water Systems

Domestic Water Systems

Fire Protection Systems

Air & Gas Lines

Industrial Liquid Lines

Sewer Drain Lines

Storm Drain Lines

If your house was built before the mid-1970s and still has its original sewer system, it’s likely that a portion of that system is cast iron. We receive phone calls every day from homeowners inquiring about replacing a cast-iron sewer line.

However, unless your home is at least 50-60 years old, it’s likely your cast-iron sewer pipe is in perfectly functional condition.

Learn how removing scale deposits from your cast-iron pipe can save cash and avoid a clogged drain.

So I don’t need to replace my cast-iron sewer pipe?

No, We can remove the corrosion deposits within a cast-iron drainpipe. Out specialized descaling equipment scrapes the corrosion off the inner walls of the pipe.

Why didn’t the plumber tell me that?

The majority of plumbing contractors don’t carry specialized descaling equipment.

How long should cast-iron sewer pipes last?

In residential use, cast-iron pipes should last 50-75 years. There are factors that can speed up deterioration, but the typical cast-iron sewer should reach this age before it needs replacing.

But the plumber said my drain needs to be replaced

After years of normal use, corrosion deposits adhere to the inner walls of the cast-iron pipe through a process called tuberculation. After 25-30 years, corrosion deposits usually have taken over 25 percent of the cast-iron pipe.

With every flush down the toilet, debris gets trapped by corrosion deposits. These deposits reduce the flow rate of the cast iron and eventually can cause a clogged drain.

When you call a plumber to inspect the cause of a sewer backup, the plumber will most likely run a drain camera through the sewer to inspect the condition of the pipe’s  interior. Often, the plumber will see the corrosion and recommend a drain or sewer replacement. But this is not necessary or recommended.

What causes cast-iron sewer pipe to corrode more rapidly?

Grease.

As a sewer contractor who has been working with drain pipes for the last 15 years, I can tell you that washing grease down the drain is the primary cause of cast-iron degradation. Acidic soil, detergents and drain chemicals also can contribute to decreasing the longevity of cast-iron pipe.

What should I do about the sewer line now

If you are facing a possible replacement, look for a contractor who can descale the cast-iron pipes with power-operated grinding equipment designed for the task. You’ll be saving money over the cost of sewer line replacement.