Cast iron pipe lining is the better choice when the old pipe still holds its shape, and replacement is the only choice when the pipe has collapsed, flattened or lost its bottom. Lining keeps the floor intact and usually takes 3 to 6 days. Replacement with PVC removes the problem for good but means opening the slab or tunneling under it, typically over 11 to 26 days.
Most Bradenton homes from the 1950s to the 1970s end up with a mix of both: lined branches and a replaced section where the main drain is worst. The sections below explain how that decision is made.
What is cast iron pipe lining?
Cast iron pipe lining, also called cured-in-place pipe (CIPP), is a resin-soaked felt tube pulled into the old drain and hardened in place to form a new pipe inside the old one. The liners used inside homes are certified under NSF/ANSI 14 to the performance requirements of ASTM F1216. Before lining, the pipe is descaled so the liner bonds to a clean wall.
The advantages of lining are listed below.
- No slab demolition: access is through existing cleanouts or a small opening.
- Shorter job: usually 3 to 6 days for a house.
- Seals joints: roots and leaks at old joints are closed off.
What is cast iron pipe replacement?
Cast iron pipe replacement removes the old pipe and installs new Schedule 40 PVC in the same path and at the correct slope. Under a Bradenton slab, the crew either cuts a trench through the floor or tunnels under the slab from outside. Under-slab drain replacement is the most thorough fix and also the most disruptive.
The advantages of replacement are listed below.
- Fixes any condition: collapsed, flattened and bellied pipe can all be replaced.
- Restores slope: low spots where water sits are rebuilt at the right fall.
- New material: PVC does not rust or scale.
When does lining not work?
Lining does not work when the pipe has lost its shape. A liner needs a host pipe to hold it in place while it cures, so a crushed section, a missing pipe bottom over more than a short length or a sag that holds standing water must be replaced instead. A liner also follows the old pipe exactly, so it cannot correct a bad slope. Our cast iron pipe lining in Bradenton team handles this work every week.
How does the camera decide?
A recorded camera inspection decides lining or replacement section by section. The video shows the wall condition, holes, cracks and low spots along every foot of pipe. A typical result for a 1960s Bradenton ranch is that the branch lines can be lined while one run of main drain under the kitchen or hall must be replaced.
For a written estimate, ask about our cast iron pipe lining services in Bradenton, FL.