Commercial and industrial drainage systems often run beneath buildings, production areas, car parks and other hard-to-access parts of a site. When pipes crack, leak or suffer root intrusion, traditional excavation can disrupt operations, tenants and public access. Tunnel Vision helps businesses rehabilitate damaged pipework through trenchless pipe relining, reducing the need to dig up large sections of the site.
Here we compare the main pipe relining methods used for commercial drains, sewer pipes and stormwater lines so you can learn how each relining process works, which pipe conditions it suits and what to consider when choosing a no-dig repair solution for your site.
Although the exact relining process depends on the pipe size, material, damage and chosen method, most commercial pipe relining projects follow several core stages.
In suitable cases, the result is a relined pipe within the existing drainage system, reducing the need to dig up large sections of flooring, landscaping or operational areas. For commercial properties and industrial sites, this can mean less disruption and minimal downtime compared with traditional pipe replacement.
Not every damaged pipe requires the same relining approach. The most suitable method depends on the existing pipe material, pipe size, level of structural damage, available access points and whether the line carries sewer, stormwater or trade waste.
For pipes requiring complete rehabilitation or a shorter sectional repair, cured-in-place pipe lining, commonly known as CIPP, uses a resin-saturated liner positioned inside the existing pipe. The liner is expanded against the internal walls and cured to form a structurally sound pipe within the original one.
This method is commonly considered for cracked sewer pipes, stormwater lines and underground commercial drains affected by leaks, root intrusion or recurring blockages.
Where medium or large-bore infrastructure requires structural rehabilitation, UV pipe relining positions a resin liner inside the damaged pipe before hardening it with ultraviolet light. The finished liner forms a structural repair while reducing the need to excavate the surrounding surface.
Tunnel Vision used this method to rehabilitate a 300 mm reinforced concrete stormwater main affected by severe tree root intrusion without excavating the surrounding area.
Rather than inserting a full fabric liner, spray-in-place pipe lining, or SIPP, applies a resin coating directly to the internal surface of the existing pipe. A specialised spray head distributes the coating along the pipe wall to seal cracks, improve corrosion resistance and rehabilitate worn surfaces.
This approach may suit some vertical pipes, bends and hard-to-access sections where installing a full liner is impractical. It is not suitable for every structural failure, so the pipe should first undergo a CCTV inspection and pipe condition assessment.
Sectional relining targets a specific damaged area rather than relining the full length of the pipe. A shorter resin liner is positioned across cracks, leaking joints, root ingress or another localised defect.
By targeting only the damaged section, patch relining can reduce the amount of liner material and installation work required where the surrounding pipe remains structurally sound. It also allows property managers and asset owners to repair individual defects without replacing otherwise serviceable pipes.
Large-bore, irregularly shaped and load-bearing infrastructure may require a liner designed specifically for the pipe. Tunnel Vision’s Fremantle C Shed culvert project involved developing a custom arch liner for a severely damaged brick stormwater culvert beneath a heritage precinct.
Custom relining can also be adapted for difficult orientations. During an offshore vertical liner installation, Tunnel Vision rehabilitated a corroded vertical steel discharge pipe where conventional replacement would have required significant dismantling and operational disruption.
The correct method depends on whether the damaged pipe needs surface sealing, localised drain repairs or complete structural rehabilitation. A detailed inspection allows the relining team to assess the host pipe and select a solution that provides the required strength while minimising excavation and downtime.
Each method addresses a different combination of pipe condition, access, shape and structural requirements. The table below provides a general comparison, but the final recommendation should follow a CCTV inspection and assessment of the existing pipe.
| Pipe relining method | Common applications | Main advantage | Key consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cured-in-place pipe lining | Sewer pipes, stormwater lines and underground commercial drains | Creates a continuous resin liner inside the existing pipe | The host pipe must be prepared and suitable for liner installation |
| UV-cured pipe relining | Medium and large-bore sewer or stormwater pipes | Uses controlled ultraviolet curing to form a structural liner | Requires suitable access and equipment for the pipe size and layout |
| Spray-in-place pipe lining | Corroded, worn or difficult-to-access pipe surfaces | Applies a coating without installing a full fabric liner | May not provide the structural repair needed for severely damaged pipes |
| Sectional or patch relining | Localised cracks, leaking joints and isolated root ingress | Repairs a specific defect without relining the full pipe | The surrounding sections must remain in serviceable condition |
| Custom structural lining | Large, irregular, vertical or specialised industrial pipework | Can be designed around unusual dimensions and site requirements | Usually requires detailed planning, engineering and custom liner installation |
The most suitable relining product and method depend on the pipe diameter, bends, lateral connections, access points, material and structural integrity. Each factor influences whether the chosen solution can be installed successfully.
For government facilities, commercial properties and industrial sites, the chosen solution must also account for operational access, tenant activity, production schedules and the downtime available for the relining work.
Commercial pipe relining is often considered when the existing pipe can be rehabilitated, but excavation would cause major disruption. Tunnel Vision’s guide to pipe relining versus pipe replacement explains how pipe condition, access, disruption and excavation requirements influence the decision.
Choosing pipe relining may be practical where:
Where the host pipe is suitable, no-dig pipe relining may be carried out from available access points, reducing the need to dig up surrounding surfaces. It may also limit the reinstatement work associated with traditional pipe replacement.
Pipe replacement may still be necessary where the existing pipe has completely collapsed, is severely deformed or no longer provides enough structural integrity to support a liner. Replacement may also be more appropriate when the pipe size, route or capacity needs to change.
A CCTV inspection supports an assessment of the host pipe and helps identify whether relining, sectional repairs or excavation is the most appropriate repair approach for the site.
The most suitable pipe relining method depends on the condition, material, size and location of the existing pipe, as well as the access and downtime available for the work. A detailed inspection helps determine whether the site requires sectional drain repairs, complete trenchless relining or another pipe rehabilitation solution.
Tunnel Vision provides commercial and industrial pipe relining and pipe rehabilitation services across Perth for damaged sewer pipes, stormwater lines and hard-to-access drainage systems. Contact Tunnel Vision to discuss the pipework at your commercial property or industrial site and arrange an assessment.
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Whether you require emergency response, scheduled maintenance, pipeline inspections or trenchless rehabilitation services, the Tunnel Vision team is ready to assist. Contact us today to discuss your project, request a quote or speak with our experienced team about the right solution for your site or property.
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