What Does
Cured-In-Place Pipe Mean?
Cured in place pipe (CIPP) is a type of in-situ rehabilitation in which a flexible liner (a felt or fiber sleeve) is impregnated with thermosetting resins and is inserted into an existing pipe. The flexible liner can be installed via winch or in several different inverted methods depending on the application. Once in place, the liner is inflated until it fits snugly into the host pipe. The thermosetting resin in the liner is then activated by hot water or steam, after which, it is allowed to cure and fully harden before the pipe is put back into service.
CIPP is one of the most popular in-situ rehabilitation methods because it can be inserted via already existing manholes with no extra excavation required. This method can also be applied to a wide range of pipes including non-circular pipes, pipes with many bends, offsets and misaligned joints.
Trenchlesspedia Explains Cured-In-Place Pipe
Because of its versatility, CIPP repairs are responsible for half of the sewer line rehabilitation market and an eighth of the potable water pipe repair market. They are generally designed for up to 50 years of service life (depending on the condition of the host pipe) and are best used on pipes that require minimal structural reinforcement. Although CIPP causes a decrease in the inside diameter of the pipe, the smooth interior of the CIPP liner may still increase flow.
However, the existing pipe requires a heavy preparation before installation; the existing pipe must first be surveyed, cleaned, have a by-pass pump installed, be pre-grouted (if necessary), and otherwise prepared. In addition, the costs to perform CIPP on larger pipes goes up exponentially due to the cost and weight of the material and difficulty of installation. Resin options include unsaturated polyesters, vinyl ester, and fiberglass epoxy paired with a polyester fiber felt.