An Overview Of The CIPP Pipe Lining Process

CIPP Pipe Lining in Delaware County: What to Expect From the Process

Cured-in-place pipe lining — CIPP — has become the most common trenchless sewer repair method in Delaware County for a straightforward reason: most residential laterals in the county were built from clay tile and cast iron, and both materials are well-suited to lining when the pipe structure is still sound. This page explains what CIPP lining involves from inspection through completion so you can evaluate proposals with clear expectations.

Advanced Drains and Underground Solutions performs CIPP lining throughout Delaware County. We use lining where the pipe condition supports it and pipe bursting or open excavation where it does not.

The Assessment Step: Why Inspection Comes First

No reputable contractor should quote CIPP lining without first running a camera through the pipe. The camera assessment determines whether the existing pipe is a good candidate for lining in the first place.

The key question is whether the host pipe still holds its round shape and has structural integrity along the walls. CIPP lining creates a new pipe inside the existing one — it requires the existing pipe to act as a mold during curing. A lateral that has collapsed, severely deformed, or developed major offset joints cannot serve as that mold. Running a liner into a badly deformed pipe produces an uneven result that may fail prematurely.

For Delaware County properties, the most common finding that disqualifies CIPP lining is Orangeburg pipe deformation. Orangeburg — a bituminous fiber material installed widely from the mid-1940s through the late 1960s — absorbs ground moisture over decades and eventually squashes into an oval. If the deformation is significant, lining is not the right call. We tell customers this upfront, even though it means recommending a more disruptive repair.

Preparing the Pipe for Lining

After the camera confirms the pipe is a lining candidate, the line must be cleaned before the liner goes in. Resin bonds to the inside of the pipe wall, and any root mass, grease accumulation, or loose scale between the resin and the wall creates a weak spot in the finished liner.

For clay tile laterals with root intrusion at joints, we root-cut first with a mechanical cutter, then run hydro jetting to remove the material. For cast iron pipes with interior corrosion scale, jetting strips the loose scale off the pipe wall. A second camera pass after cleaning confirms the pipe is ready before liner preparation begins. This step is not skippable — it is what separates a liner that holds for decades from one that begins failing in a few years.

Liner Selection and Preparation

CIPP liners are sized to the pipe diameter. Residential sewer laterals in Delaware County are typically 4-inch or 6-inch; both sizes are standard inventory for our liner systems. The liner thickness is selected based on the pipe condition — a structural liner for a pipe with active damage versus a thinner rehabilitation liner for minor corrosion.

The liner material is saturated with resin before installation. Resin saturation must be complete and even throughout the liner. Dry spots or uneven distribution create structural weak points. We handle liner preparation immediately before installation rather than pre-saturating hours in advance, which would risk early curing in warm weather.

Installation and Curing

For residential laterals, liner insertion uses an inversion process: the liner is fed into the pipe through an access point — typically an existing cleanout or a small excavation — and turns inside-out as it advances under air or water pressure. As it inverts, it presses against the pipe wall. Once the liner reaches the far end of the treatment section, an internal bladder holds it against the pipe wall during curing.

Curing time and method depend on the liner system and pipe diameter. UV curing — where a UV lamp travels through the liner triggering the hardening reaction — has become the standard for residential work because it is faster than hot water and allows precise control over the cure start. A typical residential lateral is fully cured within two to three hours of the lamp run. After curing, the bladder is removed, robotic cutters reopen any lateral connections, and a final camera run confirms the liner is properly seated with no voids or wrinkles.

What Changes After Lining

The interior diameter of the pipe decreases slightly — typically by 6 to 10 percent depending on liner thickness and original pipe diameter. For a 6-inch clay tile pipe lining with a standard residential liner, the resulting inside diameter remains well within normal flow capacity for a single-family home. The liner surface is smoother than clay tile or corroded cast iron, which can actually improve flow characteristics relative to the degraded pipe that was there before.

Root intrusion stops because the liner is jointless. Roots that entered through clay tile joints have no comparable entry point once the liner is in place. The liner does not prevent new roots from pressing against the outside of the host pipe, but roots cannot penetrate the cured resin interior.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the sewer offline during CIPP lining?

For a standard residential lateral of 40 to 60 feet, the sewer is offline during insertion and curing — typically three to five hours total. We coordinate the work window with you in advance. Water service to the house is unaffected. Full sewer use is restored after the final camera pass confirms the liner is seated correctly and all connections are clear.

Can CIPP lining fix a belly in the sewer line?

No. A belly — a low spot where the pipe sags below the proper grade — is a ground-movement problem. A liner conforms to the existing pipe shape, which means a liner installed over a belly preserves the belly. The correct fix for a belly is either excavation and re-grading the pipe or pipe bursting if the belly is within a section suitable for bursting. We identify bellies during camera inspection and tell you when lining is not the right method.

Is a permit required for CIPP lining in Delaware County?

Permit requirements vary by municipality. In most Delaware County townships, rehabilitating an existing lateral with CIPP lining does not require a building permit, whereas open-cut replacement of a lateral typically does. We confirm local requirements before scheduling and handle permit applications where one is needed. If your municipality requires a licensed master plumber to pull the permit, we coordinate that as part of the job.

Get an Estimate for CIPP Lining in Delaware County

Advanced Drains and Underground Solutions performs CIPP lining throughout Delaware County, PA — from Springfield and Havertown to Boothwyn, Newtown Square, and every community in between. Call 1-855-DONT-DIG to schedule a sewer camera inspection. We inspect the line, provide a written report of pipe conditions, and give written estimates before any lining work is scheduled.