If you have a damaged, cracked or blocked underground pipe, you may be wondering: is pipe relining worth it?
It is a fair question. Pipe relining can require a significant upfront investment, and traditional pipe replacement may initially seem like the more straightforward option. However, the true cost of repairing a pipe involves much more than the price of the new pipe itself.
Excavation, labour, machinery, landscaping, concrete, paving and property reinstatement can all add considerably to the final bill.
Pipe relining offers an alternative. Instead of digging up the existing pipe or plumbing system, a specialist installs an epoxy resin-coated liner inside the damaged pipe, creating a new pipe within the old one. It is a trenchless solution designed to repair many common pipe problems with minimal excavation.
So, is pipe relining worth it compared with traditional pipe replacement? For many properties, it can be — but the right choice depends on the condition, location and accessibility of the existing pipe.
What Is Pipe Relining?
Pipe relining is a trenchless method of repairing damaged pipes from the inside.
The drain relining process generally begins with a CCTV inspection to identify the location and extent of the damage. After the camera inspection, the pipe is then cleaned and prepared before a flexible liner impregnated with resin is inserted into the existing pipe. The liner is positioned against the inside wall of the host pipe and cured, forming a strong, seamless lining.
The result of epoxy pipe lining is effectively a new pipe inside the existing one, without the need to excavate the entire pipeline.
Pipe relining can be used on a range of pipe materials, including clay, cast iron, PVC pipes and concrete, depending on the condition and configuration of the pipe. Reline A Pipe uses CCTV inspections and specialised relining equipment to determine whether a particular pipe is suitable for the process.
Pipe Relining vs Traditional Pipe Replacement
The biggest difference between the two methods is how the damaged pipe is accessed.
Traditional pipe replacement involves excavating the ground, locating the damaged section, removing the old pipe and installing a new one. The excavation then needs to be filled and the affected property restored.
Depending on where the pipe is located, this could mean removing sections of a garden, driveway, paving, concrete slab, flooring or other structures.
Pipe relining, by comparison, is designed to access and repair the existing pipe with minimal excavation. This can significantly reduce disruption and the additional restoration work associated with digging.
For stormwater pipes running underneath an established garden or driveway, for example, the difference can be substantial.
Instead of paying to excavate and then reconstruct stormwater drain in the affected area, relining can potentially address the pipe from existing access points.
Is Pipe Relining Worth It Financially?
When asking “is pipe relining worth it?”, it is important to look beyond the initial quote.
The price of pipe relining varies depending on factors including:
- Pipe length
- Pipe diameter
- Type and severity of damage
- Accessibility
- Number of junctions
- Pipe configuration
- Preparation and cleaning required
Relining costs in Sydney can vary considerably between projects. Reline A Pipe notes that pricing can range from approximately $400 to $1,200 or more per metre, depending on the individual job. A CCTV camera inspection is generally required before an accurate quote can be provided.
Traditional replacement can involve additional expenses that are easy to overlook when comparing quotes. Excavation equipment, additional labour, removal of the old pipe and reinstatement of landscaping, paving or concrete can all contribute to the overall project cost.
This is why a pipe relining quote should not necessarily be compared with the cost of a replacement pipe alone.
The more difficult or disruptive the full excavation would be, the greater the potential financial advantage of a trenchless solution.
The Cost of Disruption Matters
Imagine a sewer pipe running underneath an established backyard.
A traditional replacement may require a trench to be excavated through the garden. Once the pipe has been replaced, the soil needs to be backfilled and the garden restored.
If the pipe runs beneath a concrete driveway, the process may involve cutting and removing concrete before the excavation can begin, followed by reinstatement after the plumbing work is complete.
The pipe itself may only represent one part of the total project.
With pipe relining, much of this disruption can potentially be avoided. Reline A Pipe describes its approach as a “no dig with minimum to no destruction” solution, depending on the circumstances of the pipe and the work required.
For homeowners, avoiding major excavation can have value beyond dollars and cents. There is less disruption to daily life, less mess and less time spent waiting for a property to be restored.
How Long Does Pipe Relining Last?
Another important consideration when deciding as a property owner is longevity.
A repair that saves money today but requires another major repair of your plumbing services shortly afterwards may not represent good value.
Modern pipe relining systems are designed as long-term pipe rehabilitation solutions. Reline A Pipe states that its relined pipes can have a life expectancy of 50 years or more and offers a 50-year guarantee on its new relined pipes.
The actual suitability and expected performance of a relining system depends on the pipe, installation conditions, materials and workmanship. That is why professional assessment is important.
Another Benefit: Protection Against Tree Roots
Tree root intrusion is a common cause of problems in underground drainage pipes.
Roots can enter through cracked pipes, damaged joints and other openings, where they can contribute to recurring blocked drains and further deterioration.
Because pipe relining creates a continuous internal lining, it can seal many of the openings through which roots enter a damaged pipe.
This can be particularly useful for older properties where mature trees and ageing clay or other underground pipes exist together.
Relining does not mean every root-damaged pipe is automatically suitable for rehabilitation, however. A CCTV inspection should be used to assess the condition of the pipe before deciding on the appropriate repair method.
Is Pipe Relining Always Better Than Replacement?
No.
Although pipe relining can be an effective alternative to excavation, traditional pipe replacement still has an important role to play.
Some severely collapsed or extensively damaged pipes may not provide a suitable host pipe for relining. Replacement may also be necessary where the existing pipe configuration, accessibility or structural condition prevents a liner from being installed correctly.
This is why choosing between relining and replacement should start with an inspection rather than an assumption.
A recent Reline A Pipe article explains that sectional relining can also be used for certain localised defects, while traditional replacement may be appropriate where a pipe is severely collapsed or otherwise unsuitable for trenchless repair.
In other words, the question is not simply whether relining is better than replacement.
The more useful question is: which repair method is appropriate for the condition of your pipe and your property?
When Is Pipe Relining Worth It?
Pipe relining may be worth considering when:
- Your existing pipe is structurally suitable for relining.
- The pipe has cracks, leaks, damaged joints or root intrusion.
- The pipe runs underneath a driveway, garden, building or other difficult-to-access area.
- You want to minimise excavation and property damage.
- You want a long-term repair rather than repeated temporary fixes.
- The total cost of excavation and reinstatement makes replacement significantly more expensive.
- You want to reduce disruption to your home or business.
For Sydney properties with older underground drainage infrastructure, the ability to repair pipes without extensive excavation can be particularly valuable.
How Do You Know Which Option Is Right?
The best place to start is with a professional CCTV camera inspection.
Rather than guessing where a blockage or leak is located, CCTV equipment allows the condition of the pipe to be assessed from the inside. This can identify issues such as cracks, root intrusion, damaged joints, blockages and sections of deterioration.
Once the condition of the pipe is understood, a qualified pipe relining specialist can determine whether relining, sectional repair or traditional replacement is appropriate.
This approach can also prevent unnecessary excavation when the existing pipe can be rehabilitated.
So, Is Pipe Relining Worth It?
For many homeowners and businesses, pipe relining is worth considering because it can combine long-term pipe rehabilitation with significantly less excavation and disruption.
Its financial value comes from more than the relining process itself. When comparing relining with traditional pipe replacement, consider the entire project: labour, excavation, machinery, disposal, landscaping, concrete, paving, restoration and the inconvenience caused by a major excavation project.
Where a pipe is suitable for relining, a trenchless repair can potentially address the underlying problem while preserving much of the property above it.
However, relining is not suitable for every damaged pipe. The condition and configuration of the existing pipeline need to be assessed before a repair method is selected.
If you are dealing with recurring blockages, tree root intrusion, leaking pipes, slow drainage or suspected underground pipe damage, a CCTV inspection can provide the information needed to make an informed decision.
Thinking about pipe relining in Sydney? Contact Reline A Pipe to arrange a professional CCTV inspection and find out whether relining is suitable for your property.
Feel free to contact our team for any inquiries regarding residential or commercial quotations.
You can call the team at Reline-A-Pipe in Sydney on (02) 9649 3981 or contact us online.











