In Melbourne, a lot of older plumbing simply wasn’t built to handle decades of shifting soil and invasive tree roots. When a drain starts acting up, most homeowners are faced with this dilemma: do you dig up the yard and start from scratch, or is there a smarter way to get things flowing again?
When choosing between pipe relining services and a full replacement, there’s no clear-cut answer. There are several factors to consider, such as where the pipe sits, how bad the damage is, and what your budget looks like. In this guide, we’ll compare both methods so you’ll have a much clearer idea of which path makes the most sense for your property.
Pipe relining is a no-dig solution for your plumbing. Instead of bringing in the heavy machinery to reach a problem, this method fixes things from the inside.
The process is actually quite straightforward. The plumber takes a flexible liner, coats it in a tough resin, and slides it right into the existing pipe. Once it is positioned perfectly, it’s inflated and allowed to set. As that resin cures, it creates a brand-new, seamless pipe inside the old one.
It only needs a tiny access point, so the whole job is often wrapped up in a few hours. Learn more about how drain relining works to see if it’s the right fit for your place.
On the flip side, pipe replacement is the more traditional method. It involves digging a trench along the entire length of the pipe, physically pulling out the old sections, and laying down fresh ones before filling the dirt back in.
Depending on the depth and length of your pipes, this can be a job that takes days or even a couple of weeks. It can definitely cause more disruption to your routine. You might lose use of your driveway for a bit, and your lawn will certainly look like a bit of a construction zone. However, if a pipe has completely collapsed or shifted so much that it’s lost its shape, a full replacement is sometimes the only way to get things flowing properly again.
When you are weighing these up, it helps to look at the practical side of things. Let’s compare the two in terms of cost, time, disruption to your property, and longevity.
In most cases, pipe relining is the more budget-friendly choice. While the tech used is high-end, you save a heap of money because you aren’t paying for hours of digging or, more importantly, the cost of fixing your landscaping afterwards. Plus, getting it done in a single afternoon is a huge plus. With a full replacement, the costs can increase once you factor in the price of new pavers, fresh turf, or repairing fences that had to come down for the excavator.
The best thing about relining is that you’ll barely know we’re there. No piles of dirt on the nature strip and no excavators in the front yard. Your gardens and driveways stay exactly as they are. Compare that to a traditional replacement, where a trench is a must. During that time, the way you use your property is going to be pretty limited while the work is in progress.
High-quality pipe relining is built to last for 50 years or more. It’s incredibly resilient against tree roots and general wear. Of course, new PVC pipes used in a replacement are also very durable. Both offer a long-term fix, but relining gives you that peace of mind without the invasive dig.
There are situations where pipe relining is better, and some scenarios where pipe replacement is recommended. Here’s how to know which one is more suited for your property.
Relining is usually the go-to for fixing cracks, small tree root issues, or pipes that have started to corrode. It’s ideal when pipes run under something you don’t want to break, like the house itself, a retaining wall, or a paved patio. To see if your home is a candidate, a CCTV drain camera inspection is the way to go. It takes trial and error out of the equation so we can see if a liner is the right move.
There are times when a liner just won’t do the job. If the pipe has completely caved in, disintegrated, or has a belly where water just sits, you really need a full replacement. A liner needs a bit of a structure to hold onto; if the old pipe is gone, there’s nothing for it to bond with. Also, if the pipe is shallow and sits under an open patch of grass where digging is easy, a traditional replacement might actually be the cheaper way to go.
Both relining and replacement have their place in keeping your property’s plumbing on track. The right choice is simply the one that solves your problem for the long haul while keeping your budget in mind.
If you’re worried about your pipes, calling in the experts is the best way to get some peace of mind. Zabs Plumbing is a family-run business, and we pride ourselves on giving honest, clear advice. We can come out, see what’s happening, and recommend the best way to get your home back to normal. Contact us today if you want to book in an inspection and get those pipes sorted properly.
