Has anyone tried those pipe lining fixes instead of full replacement? Worth it, or just another band-aid?
Had to make this call more than once over the years. Pipe lining can sound like a clever shortcut—less mess, less time, nobody wants to rip up floors or cut into finished walls if it can be avoided. But here’s the thing: it’s not a cure-all. It works best on certain types of pipes (like cast iron or clay), and only if the existing pipe isn’t too far gone. If you’ve got a bunch of pinholes, big cracks, or the line’s sagged out of shape, lining won’t fix those underlying issues.
Honestly, I’ve used lining in a couple of rental units where replacing everything would’ve meant gutting kitchens or bathrooms. It did buy me some time—maybe five, ten years—but it’s not permanent. In one case, I had to go back and do a full replacement anyway when the lined pipe started leaking at the joints. If you’re dealing with old galvanized or copper that’s already leaking behind walls, lining probably won’t help much.
I get the temptation to “squeeze every last year” out of old plumbing—who wants to spend money if you don’t have to? But leaks behind drywall are a nightmare and can get expensive fast once you factor in mold remediation and repairs. If your pipes are already failing, lining might just delay the inevitable and cost more in the long run. For me, if I’m already opening up walls, I just bite the bullet and swap out everything I can reach.
If you’re set on trying lining, make sure whoever does it actually inspects the whole run with a camera first. Sometimes they’ll push for it even when replacement is really what’s needed. Just my two cents after too many late-night leak calls...
I’ve been on a couple jobs where the owner was dead set on lining, mostly because they’d just remodeled and the idea of tearing up tile or flooring was a non-starter. I get it—nobody wants to undo all that work. But like you said, if the pipe’s already got big cracks or is out of round, lining just doesn’t grab right. I remember one spot where the liner actually bunched up at a sag, and it ended up clogging worse than before. That was a headache.
One thing I’ve noticed: some folks think lining is this magic fix that’ll add decades to their pipes, but it’s really more like buying time. If you’re lucky, maybe you get 10 years. If not, you’re back to square one pretty quick. And yeah, lining doesn’t do much for pipes that are corroding from the outside in—especially old galvanized.
If you’re already opening walls or floors, I’d rather just go for new pipe too. At least then you know what you’re working with. Sometimes the “easy” fix ends up being more trouble down the road.
Sometimes the “easy” fix ends up being more trouble down the road.
Man, that hits home. I’ve lost count of how many “quick fixes” I’ve had to go back and redo, usually at 2am when everything’s leaking again. Lining’s great when you’re in a pinch or can’t tear up someone’s fancy new tile, but if the pipe’s already Swiss cheese, you’re just putting a band-aid on a broken leg.
I’ve seen liners bunch up at sags too—always fun fishing that mess out. And yeah, folks get sold on the idea that lining is permanent. It’s really just buying time, like you said. Sometimes you get a few good years, sometimes it’s back to square one before you know it.
If you’re already opening things up, might as well swap the pipe and be done with it. At least then you can sleep at night not worrying about another midnight call... unless it’s for something else, which it always is.
If you’re already opening things up, might as well swap the pipe and be done with it. At least then you can sleep at night not worrying about another midnight call... unless it’s for something else, which it always is.
That’s pretty much the conclusion I came to after dealing with our old galvanized lines a few years ago. We had a slow leak that I kept patching, thinking I was saving money and avoiding the “big job.” In reality, it just meant repeated trips to the hardware store and a lot of wasted water. Not great for my stress levels—or for the environment, honestly.
The eco angle is what finally pushed me to rip out the old pipes. Those quick fixes never really stopped the leaks, just delayed them. Plus, all those temporary repairs added up in terms of materials and waste. Once we finally bit the bullet and replaced everything with PEX, water pressure improved and we haven’t had a single issue since. The peace of mind is worth it.
I get why people want to avoid tearing up their homes—especially if you’ve just redone a bathroom or kitchen—but sometimes trying to save a little upfront ends up costing more in repairs and water damage down the line. Liners are fine if there’s no other option, but like you said, it’s not a forever solution. If you’re already making a mess, might as well do it right.
Funny thing is, now that I don’t have to worry about leaks, I find myself obsessing over other stuff—insulation, old windows, that kind of thing. There’s always something else to fix in an older house...
Those quick fixes never really stopped the leaks, just delayed them.
Couldn’t agree more. Patching is just a band-aid, especially with galvanized—once corrosion sets in, it’s only a matter of time before you’re chasing leaks all over. I’ve seen folks spend more on repeated “small” repairs than a full repipe would’ve cost. PEX is a solid choice for most retrofits, too. Only thing I’d add: check your water pressure after the swap—sometimes old PRVs get overlooked and can cause new headaches.