I’ve seen the same thing—epoxy lining can be a real lifesaver when you’re staring down the barrel of a full repipe bill. It’s not magic, but it’s not snake oil either. I’ve worked on a few places where the pipes were just starting to show their age—think minor leaks, a bit of rust, nothing catastrophic—and lining bought those homeowners a good five, six years of peace. That’s not nothing, especially if you’re trying to save up for the big fix.
That said, I do get a little twitchy when folks try to use lining as a cure-all. If you’ve got pipes that are basically crumbling every time you look at them sideways, lining’s just putting off the inevitable. I’ve seen jobs where the lining held up, but the pipe around it was so far gone that it started leaking somewhere else. Kind of like patching a tire that’s already bald and full of nails... sure, it’ll roll for a while, but you’re not winning any races.
One thing I always tell people: check what your local codes say about lining. Some places are stricter than others, and you don’t want to spend money on a fix that won’t pass inspection if you ever sell. Also, water quality matters—a lot. Hard water can chew through both pipes and some linings faster than you’d think.
Bottom line, lining’s a tool in the toolbox. Sometimes it’s the right one, sometimes you need to bite the bullet and go for the full repipe. But yeah, it’s not just lipstick—sometimes it’s a pretty decent bandage. Just don’t expect it to turn a 100-year-old pipe into something brand new.
Curious what everyone thinks about the lifespan of different pipe materials—like, is there a point where you’d never even consider lining, just go straight to replacement? I’ve seen some old galvanized that looked okay on the outside but were basically Swiss cheese inside. Ever run into a situation where lining actually made things worse, or maybe just delayed a bigger headache down the road? Sometimes I wonder if we’re just kicking the can...
WHEN IS IT TIME TO SWAP OUT OLD PIPES?
Sometimes I wonder if we’re just kicking the can...
Man, that’s the story of my life with these old buildings. I’ve stared at more crusty galvanized than I care to admit. Outside looks like it could last another 50 years, inside it’s a horror show—flakes, rust, sometimes you wonder how water even gets through.
I had a place where we tried lining some ancient cast iron. Looked like a good idea on paper, but a year later, tenant calls about slow drains. Turns out the liner had peeled off in spots and basically created a dam for every hairball and potato peel in the city. Ended up tearing out the whole run anyway. Felt like I paid twice for the same job, which is always fun.
I get why folks want to line—less mess, less cost up front—but sometimes you’re just putting lipstick on a pig. Galvanized especially... I don’t trust it past a certain age. If it’s already pitted or you’re seeing low pressure, lining feels like wishful thinking.
Curious if anyone’s had luck with lining clay sewer lines? I’ve heard mixed things—some say it’s a lifesaver, others say roots just find their way back in no matter what you do. At what point do you just bite the bullet and dig? I’m all for saving money, but not if it means I’m gonna be back in the crawlspace next year cursing my past self.
sometimes you’re just putting lipstick on a pig
That’s pretty much how I feel about lining clay lines too. Here’s how I look at it: if you’ve got roots coming back every year, or you’re seeing big dips in pressure, it’s probably time to just dig. I tried patching and lining to avoid the mess, but ended up with more headaches (and a muddy backyard anyway). Sometimes ripping the band-aid off is the greener move—less waste from failed fixes, and you’re not tossing money at temporary solutions. If you’re already under the house cursing, that’s usually your sign.
Yeah, I hear you on the “lipstick on a pig” angle—patching up old clay lines sometimes feels like taping a leaky bucket. That being said, I’ve seen lining work for folks who just needed to buy a few years before a bigger reno, but if roots are already treating your pipes like an all-you-can-eat buffet, it’s probably game over.
Had a job last month where the homeowner kept snaking and patching the same spot every spring. By year three, the line looked like Frankenstein’s monster and still flooded the basement. At that point, digging was less hassle than the constant callbacks...and honestly, less cursing under the house.
I guess my only caveat is sometimes people don’t have the budget for full replacement right away. In those cases, lining might be a necessary evil—just gotta go in with eyes open about how long it’ll last. But yeah, if you’re knee-deep in mud and muttering to yourself, that’s usually nature’s way of saying “just replace it already.”