Cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining is one of the most widely used ways to repair sewer and storm pipes without digging them up. This guide explains how the process works, how steam and UV curing differ, what affects cost, how long a liner lasts, and how the finished pipe is tested.
What is CIPP lining?
CIPP lining places a flexible, resin-saturated liner inside an existing pipe, called the host pipe. The liner is pressed against the pipe walls and cured until it hardens into a new, seamless, jointless pipe inside the old one. Because the work happens through existing access points such as manholes and cleanouts, there is no trench to dig and very little surface disruption.
The CIPP process step by step
- Inspect: a CCTV pipe inspection records the condition of the line and measures its diameter and length.
- Clean: roots, grease, sediment and debris are removed so the liner can bond to a clean surface.
- Install: the resin-saturated liner is pulled or inverted into the pipe through an access point.
- Cure: the liner is cured with hot water, steam or UV light until it is hard.
- Reinstate: service connections are reopened from inside the pipe.
- Verify: a final video inspection confirms the result.
Steam, hot water and UV curing
Hot water and steam curing heat the resin until it hardens. They work across a wide range of pipe sizes and are common for larger lines. UV curing uses a train of ultraviolet lamps pulled through a glass-fiber liner. It is fast, uses no heated water and produces a very consistent cure, which makes it popular on small and medium storm and sewer lines. The right choice depends on pipe size, access, length of run and the owner’s specification.
What affects the cost of CIPP
- Pipe diameter and length of the run.
- How much cleaning is needed first (roots, grease, heavy sediment).
- The number of service connections that must be reinstated.
- Access to manholes and traffic control on busy roads.
- Whether bypass pumping is required to keep flow moving during the work.
- The liner thickness and resin system required by the design.
Even when the lining itself costs more per foot than open-cut pipe, the total project is often cheaper because there is no excavation, paving or landscape restoration.
How long does a CIPP liner last?
CIPP liners are typically designed for a service life of 50 years or more. The new pipe is jointless, so roots cannot enter, and it resists corrosion and infiltration.
How CIPP is tested
Quality checks usually include a post-installation CCTV inspection and, on many municipal projects, samples of the cured liner that are sent to an independent lab. The lab tests properties such as thickness and strength against the project specification. Ask your contractor which tests are included before the job starts.
When CIPP is the right repair, and when it is not
- Good fit: cracked or leaking pipes, root intrusion, joint separation, corrosion and infiltration in pipes that still hold their shape.
- Consider other methods: short, isolated defects may suit sectional lining or a point repair; leaking joints may suit pressure grouting.
- Not a fit: pipes that have fully collapsed or lost their shape usually need replacement.
Frequently asked questions
Is CIPP the same as trenchless pipe repair?
CIPP is one type of trenchless pipe rehabilitation. Other trenchless methods include sectional lining, point repairs and grouting.
Can CIPP be used on storm drains and culverts?
Yes. CIPP is widely used on storm drains and culverts as well as sanitary sewer lines.
How long does a CIPP job take?
Many runs between two manholes can be lined in a single day once cleaning and inspection are complete, depending on the pipe size and cure method.
Plan your CIPP project
Flotech Environmental provides CIPP pipe repair, cleaning and CCTV inspection across Florida. Contact our team to discuss your pipeline.