Non-Pressurized Epoxy Lining vs. Pressurized Epoxy Coating

When it comes to lining the pipes in your residential building in Chicago to stop leaks and restore their durability, do you need a non-pressurized epoxy lining or a pressurized epoxy coating? If you’re thinking about restoring your potable water lines, it’s quite likely that you need a Cured-in-Place pipe (CIPP) coating. If you need your drain lines restored, a Pull-in-Place pipe (PIPP) liner is probably the answer.

The Difference Between Pressurized Pipes and Non-Pressurized Pipes

• Non-Pressurized Pipes – Non-pressurized pipes consist of drain lines, sewer lines and vent stacks. These are the pipes in your building that funnel wastewater into your sewer system via gravity. Non-pressurized pipes are generally made out of PVC, copper and cast iron. Drain lines are typically larger than potable water lines.
• Pressurized Pipes – Pressurized pipes transport the potable water throughout your building. Without the pressure, water wouldn’t readily flow to your resident’s taps. Potable water pipes are narrower than drain lines and often constructed out of copper, PEX or another type of metal.

Cured-in-Pace Pipe (CIPP)

Cured-in-Place pipe refers to the process of coating the inside of a plumbing pipe with an epoxy coating. This process is typically performed on pressurized potable water pipes. After the pipe has been properly prepared by drying and cleaning the pipe, the epoxy coating is blown through the pipe with special equipment. As the coating moves through the existing potable water line, it coats the interior surface, creating a barrier between the water and your old pipes. This helps stop pinhole leaks and corrosion and prevents harmful chemicals from leaching into your residents’ water supply from the pipe material.

Pull-in-Place Pipe (PIPP)

Pull-in-Place pipe refers to the process of trenchlessly inserting a flexible liner, that is exactly the diameter of the inside of the pipe, through the pipe and inflating the liner with either water or air pressure until it adheres to the inside walls of the existing pipe. It is then left to cure in place or UV lights are used to facilitate the curing process. Here at Nu Flow, we use an inflatable bladder to ensure the pipe liner is fully inflated. The pipe liner then cures in place to form a solid pipe within a pipe that stops leaks by preventing the water from coming into contact with the old pipe. Pipe liners are used to rehabilitate drain lines, sewer lines and vent stacks.

Determining the Right Pipe Lining technology for your Chicago Residential High-Rise

Our pipe lining and coating experts can determine whether or not pipe lining or pipe coating would be right for your plumbing pipes. During the initial evaluation process, our technicians thread a camera through your pipes to determine the level or corrosion and wear and tear on your pipes. If it is determined that we can successfully prepare your pipes for one of our trenchless restoration processes, we will provide you with a quote and explain the process. If you agree to the service, together we will come up with a solution plan to restore your pipes.

For more information on how we can help restore your pressurized and unpressurized plumbing pipes with liners and epoxy coatings and to schedule a building pipe assessment for your high-rise residential apartment building, condo or co-op, call us at 815-790-9000.