Consider the following example. A couple have lived in a house for decade, and they have just had a series of leaks in a copper pipe overhead the dining room. Obviously, insurance will pay up the damages; however, the couple are concerned about the leaks happening again fearing that the damage may be worse. So what's the best solution for repairing the problem of pipe leaks once and for all for householders? Epoxy pipe lining is the answer. Read on for more insight.

The basics

Probably you have never heard of this technique for repairing leaky pipes, so the following are the basics. Plumbing professionals use the following 4 steps to coat the interior of plumbing pipes using epoxy to repair leaks and corrosion.

1. Preparation

All fixtures, valves and water heaters are first disconnected to stop them from being compromised by the epoxy and to allow the whole piping system to be free of water. The plumber then blows hot air inside the pipes to fully dry them. This is because epoxy coating can only adhere to a dry surface.

1. Cleaning

The interior surfaces of the piping system are then scoured of rust and scale through a process called sandblasting. This is achieved by forcefully blowing sand among other abrasives through the plumbing pipes.

1. Coating

Epoxy lining is blown inside the pipes to coat the interior surfaces of the piping system. This blocks all pinhole leaks and joints and averts further rusting of the metal. Steam is introduced to cure the new pipe lining.

1. Reconnection

The last step involves reinstalling all the fixtures, valves, stops and the water heater.

The actual cost of lining the interior surface of your piping system using epoxy is almost the same as the cost of replacing all the pipes in your house. In other words, it's quite a costly undertaking. However, from a positive perspective, the epoxy method is less invasive compared to re-ping since no holes are punctured through walls and floors as is the case during the installation of new pipes. This saves on time and money and avoids building damage.

Longevity is also a key positive feature associated with epoxy coatings. Once coated, your pipes will be free of leaks and rust for quite a while much to your delight. If you plan to continue staying in your existing home for several years, epoxy pipe lining is definitely a noteworthy consideration. If you opt for epoxy, be sure to hire a plumber who has been installing epoxy coatings and who has a repute for superior-quality work.