I’ve read mixed things about whether it narrows the pipe enough to matter.
I had the same concern before I did mine. Honestly, I didn’t notice any real change in water flow after the liner went in—if anything, it seemed a bit smoother since the liner covered up all the rough spots where roots used to catch. As for root maintenance, I still do a root killer flush once a year, but haven’t needed to snake it since the liner. Used to be every six months with the old clay. Definitely less hassle now.
I’ve heard similar things about liners possibly reducing the diameter, but from what I’ve seen, the difference is pretty minimal—usually just a few millimeters. Like you said, the smoother surface seems to help with flow, especially compared to old clay or cast iron that’s all pitted and rough inside. I’m curious, though—did you have any issues with offsets or weird bends in your line before you had it lined? I’ve read that liners can sometimes bridge small gaps, but if there’s a big offset, it might not seal as well. Wondering if anyone’s run into that or had to do extra prep before lining.
