What lining is, in plain terms
Epoxy lining, sometimes called pipe restoration, leaves the original pipe in place. The line is drained and dried, the inside is cleaned of scale and corrosion, and an epoxy coating is applied to the inner wall. Once cured, the coating forms a barrier between the water and the old metal.
For a slab home, the appeal is obvious: the pipe under the concrete stays where it is, and there may be no need to open the floor or run a new line through walls. The trade-off is that the result depends heavily on the condition of the pipe being lined and on how the work is done.
How a lining job generally works
- Assess.The plumber decides whether the pipe is a candidate, often based on location results, pipe material and how damaged the line is.
- Drain and dry.Water is shut off to the lines being lined and they are dried, usually with air.
- Clean.The inside of the pipe is cleaned so the epoxy can bond to the metal rather than to scale.
- Coat.Epoxy is introduced and distributed through the line to coat the inner wall.
- Cure and test.The coating cures, then the line is returned to service and pressure tested.
May be a candidate vs usually not
May be a candidate
- Copper with pinholes but otherwise sound walls
- Lines where access for reroute or repair is very disruptive
- A system the contractor has evaluated and documented
Usually not a candidate
- Pipe that is cracked, separated or crushed
- Galvanized pipe so corroded the wall is badly compromised
- Large breaks where water has already washed out soil
- Lines the contractor cannot clean properly
How lining compares with the other options
| Approach | Original pipe | Typical disruption |
|---|---|---|
| Spot repair | Damaged section replaced, rest stays | Concrete and flooring opened at the leak |
| Reroute | Under-slab line abandoned | Wall and ceiling openings along the new route |
| Epoxy lining | Stays in place, coated inside | Water off while lines are dried, cleaned and coated |
| Repipe | Most or all lines replaced | Openings throughout the house for the new lines |
Questions to ask a contractor who offers lining
- What did your testing show about the condition of my pipe?
- Which lines would be lined: just the leaking one or the whole system?
- How long will we be without water?
- Does this work need a permit from the City of Fullerton?
- What happens if a leak appears in a lined section later?
- What is your CSLB license number, so I can check it at cslb.ca.gov?
Common questions
Is lining the same as a repipe?
No. A repipe replaces the pipes with new ones. Lining coats the inside of the existing pipes and leaves them in place.
Can lining fix a leak that has already damaged the floor?
It addresses the pipe, not the damage. Wet flooring, drywall or soil still need to be dealt with separately.
Should I get a second opinion?
For any major plumbing decision it is reasonable to compare at least one other licensed contractor's assessment, especially when the options are very different.
General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.