When you do a lot of relining projects, you may wonder about the pros and cons of PVC liners vs. CIPP liners. Both types of liners can be inserted with the trenchless repair method, and both types of liners create a seamless finish. Thermoform provides the solution. Keep reading to learn about how they compare and when you should favor one type of liner over the other.
Method of Expansion
Cured in place pipe liners use a chemical reaction to expand within the pipe. The process of initiating the chemical reaction requires that you carefully time the insertion of the chemicals. You’ll also have to wait for the reaction to finish before you move on to the next stage of the repair project. PVC pipe liners cure with steam. As the steam cools quickly, there’s no need to wait for a while until moving on to the projects’ next phase.
Sealing Process
The sealing process of PVC fold and form pipe is also different from cured in place pipe. The steam seals the liner to the original pipe. There aren’t any toxic byproducts from steam, and there’s no risk of any environmental damage. The seal hardens quickly once the temperature and pressure drop. The sealing process for cured-in-place pipe requires the use of stainless steel bands, which can be difficult to place. Without the bands, CIPP liners can shrink.
It’s critical to choose the right liner when making repairs for a client. Deciding between PVC fold and form pipe liners vs. cured in place pipe liners can be difficult, but knowing how these materials compare to each other will help you make an informed decision. For additional details about each of these trenchless pipe lining systems, get in touch with us any time.