WHAT IS PIPE PATCHING?
For years CIPP (cured in place pipe) patching has been used globally as a structural repair in short sections of broken and damaged pipe, and is quickly becoming a front runner in the world of trenchless pipe rehabilitation. As the gateway into full length lining, patching is widely seen as a solid investment due to the relatively low initial cost and high return combined with a short learning curve for installers.
There is less risk making it a great option for companies wanting to enter the world of CIPP but not quite ready to commit to full length lining. You can still offer a fully structural repair at a more affordable selling point to your customers that don’t need a full relining. Patching makes quick work of jobs that would be time consuming and require costly excavation and disruption. When compared to these other methods, the rapid cure times and minimal equipment needed for success makes pipe patching a great way to enter the marketplace of trenchless rehabilitation and reduce environmental impact.
GENERAL PIPE PATCHING PROCESS
Throughout the industry the general process has remained relatively the same. Essentially there is an inflatable bladder known as a packer that is wrapped in a resin-soaked patch of liner and either pushed or pulled into the host pipe to the target area, then inflated until the resin on the liner has fully cured. At this point the packer is deflated and removed from the pipe leaving a fully structural section of liner behind.
WHEN TO PATCH?
There are many situations when you might opt for a patch verses full length lining.
- Only a small section of pipe needs to be repaired
- Budget restraints where excavation and or full length lining are too costly
- Environmental impact and disruption make replacement impossible
- Too many bends for full length lining to navigate
