Pipe Lining vs. Traditional Pipe Replacement

When a drain or sewer line fails under a South Florida slab, homeowners have traditionally faced an ugly proposition: jackhammer the floor, dig the trench, replace the pipe, and then rebuild everything on top of it. Cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining changed that math — but it isn’t the right answer every time. Here’s the honest comparison.

How Traditional Replacement Works

Excavation reaches the failing pipe directly: the old line is removed and a new one installed in its place. It’s proven, it handles even collapsed pipes, and the new pipe’s life expectancy is measured in generations. The cost is disruption — floors opened, landscaping trenched, and days or weeks of construction, with restoration costs that often exceed the plumbing itself.

How Pipe Lining Works

Restoration rehabilitates the pipe from the inside. After the line is descaled back to bare pipe and camera-inspected, an epoxy coating is brush-applied in measured layers — building a new corrosion-proof wall inside the old pipe — or, where slope and structure are confirmed, a cured-in-place liner is installed for targeted sections. The Picote Brush Coating system we install is NSF/ANSI 61 potable certified (4"+ with white final coat) and ASTM tested, works on cast iron, PVC, concrete, clay, and copper from 1.25" to 12", and typically returns the line to service about 4 hours after the final coat. A 10-year warranty is available, and the epoxy carries a 30–50 year design life.

When Lining Wins

Cast iron under a slab, drain stacks inside finished walls, lines beneath mature landscaping, pool decks, or driveways — anywhere the cost of reaching the pipe exceeds the cost of fixing it. For South Florida’s pre-1975 homes and multi-story condos, lining is usually the difference between a one-day fix and a construction project.

When Replacement Wins

A fully collapsed pipe can’t be lined — there’s nothing left to line. Severely bellied lines that hold water need regrading, which lining can’t fix. And a pipe that’s easily accessible in an open yard may be cheaper to simply replace. This is why every job starts with a camera inspection: the footage, not a sales pitch, decides the method.

The Bottom Line

Get the camera inspection first, watch the footage with your plumber, and make the call based on evidence. If a company recommends replacement without showing you the inside of the pipe — or quotes lining on a pipe they haven’t cleaned and inspected — get a second opinion. We’re happy to be that second opinion: call (754) 256-3630.