Why Pipe Relining Is The Best Solution for Your Blocked Pipes

A house’s pipework is crucial to daily operations; showering, washing laundry, cooking, and other routine tasks require access to water and efficient drainage. Backed-up or blocked pipes can throw a spanner in the works, potentially ruining your day (or your property).At Outright, we’ve seen how damaged pipes can impact a home’s whole plumbing system.

Thankfully, most pipework does not require excavation nowadays. Pipe relining is a simple yet effective solution to persistent blocked pipes, and can be done without breaking the ground at all. That means no destroyed gardens or blocked off driveways! Outright Plumbing is here to reassure you by unpacking why pipe relining is the best service for most homes in Melbourne.

Thorough Assessments Before Getting Started

There are many ways to fix a blockage, all depending on what the inside of your pipe looks like. This is why the first thing we do is a comprehensive assessment of your whole plumbing system. No guesswork, just straight answers and the best solution for your property and long-term needs.

When first arriving at a property, we’ll complete a camera inspection of your drains to fully gauge the scope of your issue. We use high-grade CCTV cameras to properly diagnose what's going on inside your drains because facts matter. Keep in mind that if no one has shown you footage of your pipe, they’re guessing. And guesswork usually ends up being more expensive for you in the long run.

Our findings will pinpoint the cause of the issue, whether that be a blocked drain, a leak, or a more severe structural problem. Once we understand what’s happening in your system, our experts will offer you several solutions to move forward. 

What are the Options for Dealing with Blocked Pipes?

When it comes to drain and pipe repair solutions, you have three options: restoring the flow, repairing the pipe, or replacing the pipe. We’ll explain each option to you so you can make an informed decision.

Option 1: Restore Flow with Unblocking Services

If time is of the essence and you just want your pipes working before guests arrive, need to tidy up between tenants, or you’re trying to sell, then our blocked drain services are for you. This is the quickest option and can be completed within just a few hours!

However, it’s important to understand that this option only targets the symptom, and not the underlying issue. Because it’s a service rather than a repair, the warranty is typically short, with the same issue likely recurring eventually. This option makes the most sense when you're not ready to commit to a bigger fix, or just want things back running ASAP, but keep in mind that it’s a band-aid solution.

Option 2: Repair the Pipe with Pipe Relining

If you’re after a long-term fix for blockages and don’t want to tear up your property, it’s worth looking into pipe relining. With this repair, a new resin-coated liner is installed within your existing pipe, with no excavation required. It’s quick, improves pipe flow, and leaves minimal disruption; for residential jobs, we are typically on-site for just a single day with no concrete cuts, no gardens destroyed, and no driveways dug up! 

Many Melbourne properties can benefit, with the new liner reinforcing old clay, cast-iron, or plastic pipes, extending their lifespan by decades. Pricing is determined by the length of pipe, access points, the pipe’s condition, and the number of bends. Although it is more expensive than a simple unblocking service, it saves you money in the long run with fewer plumbing call-outs, and warranties are much longer than a quick fix.

For pipe relining to be a feasible option, your pipe needs to be structurally intact. It usually works to solve a few cracks or minor breaks, and minimal root intrusion that hasn’t collapsed your pipe entirely. Because of this, we do recommend jumping to relining as a solution soon after you’ve first discovered your blocked pipe. Repeated blockages can cause wear and tear on your pipes that eventually damages them to a point that relining can no longer fix.

Option 3: Replace the Pipe with Complete Excavation

This is a full system reset. If your pipe has fully collapsed, the previous options won’t work, and you’ll require a complete pipe replacement. We excavate the surrounding area, remove the damaged pipe, and install a new one. This process usually takes a few days, and disruption is high: concrete may need to be cut, landscaping may need restoration, and your driveway access may be affected.

Because pipe excavation and replacements are so invasive, we’ll only recommend it when there’s a severe structural failure or misalignment in your pipes that can’t be fixed by less-intrusive methods. This option is the most expensive, due to the need for extra equipment and the excavation process, with prices depending on the depth of the pipe and where it sits. However, pipe replacement comes with a long warranty for your peace of mind.

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At the end of the day, the best choice is the one that works for you, your needs, and your budget.

Why Our Experts Recommend Pipe Relining

Most of the time, pipe relining is the most viable option for Melbourne families because it balances cost, longevity, and disruption. Pipe relining is the best compromise, considering:

• Unblocking Services do not fix the root of the problem, leaving your home vulnerable to future blockages. That means multiple call-outs and schedule disruptions.
• Full excavations are costly, time-consuming, and often unnecessary. Booking them will likely lead to a headache and days of tradies inundating your home.

We typically recommend relining services if your pipes are in suitable condition because they deliver a long-term solution. By protecting the integrity of your pipes, you’ll ensure your water keeps flowing no matter the demand on your plumbing system. Once you’ve decided to book a pipe relining service, you can rest assured that our plumbing experts will be in and out in a day.

Don’t Avoid The Problem

It can be hard to know what is causing your blockage and drainage issues, and when you’re picturing the stress of a torn-up driveway, a shredded lawn, and a long-drawn-out process, you can feel apprehensive about even calling a plumber. But delaying until the issue is completely unavoidable often means the fix could be worse! 

We get it, it’s easy to fall into this trap. So it’s worth knowing those days are mostly behind us. Pipe issues that used to require excavation and days of messy chaos can often now be solved with a simple relining.

So take a breath. Trust that your pipe will get fixed. The garden will remain pristine. The driveway will stay looking its best. And you’ll walk away feeling confident that you made the right call with a fully-repaired pipe and a long-term solution. It’s the way pipe repair should have worked all along.

Still Not Sure What Your Drain Actually Needs?

With us, you can trust that we’ll run a camera through your pipes, show you exactly what's going on, and walk you through all three options before anything starts. 

Book a drain inspection today!

FAQs About Pipe Relining

Is pipe relining as good as replacement?

Yes, in many cases, a pipe relining is as good as a replacement; it can sometimes be more effective! Pipe relining reinforces the pipe's structure, creating a new, jointless pipe within the old one and protecting it against root intrusions and blockages.

How long does pipe relining last?

A pipe relining is intended to be a long-term fix, with the lining designed to last 50 years or more. The materials in the resin liner are highly resistant to corrosion, cracking, and tree-root intrusion.

When do I need to dig up a pipe?

Excavation is only required when plumbers can’t gain access or solve the issue from above ground. This usually occurs when a pipe has fully collapsed or is significantly misaligned, prohibiting the installation of a pipe liner.

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