Has CIPP Been Tested Thoroughly?
No one wants to go out on a limb with their business. Before you commit to something as large as a pipeline rehabilitation project you want to know the facts. Have CIPP tests shown that it delivers on its promises? Has it been tested thoroughly? The answer is mostly yes–with the promise of even more good things to come.
New technologies
CIPP tests have been very positive, but to find the exact results requires you to be a little more specific. Consider that cured in place pipes are just one type of trenchless technology. Within the subset of pipe relining via cured in place pipes, there are a few different commonly used versions. Each of these systems is constantly being refined and worked on. The process is not set in stone as of yet. This constant refinement provides better service, but doesn’t always allow for up to the moment, cutting edge research.
Supported by government testing
The US government is one of the biggest users of CIPP. They also conduct most of the CIPP tests out there. CIPP is one of the only efficient ways to repair and replace large drains like culverts. It’s in the government’s best interest to be sure that they’re not just throwing good money after bad. These methods are periodically tested to see if they’re performing according to projections.
In a recent report release in 2012 (very recent for government work), the EPA conducted tests on a series of pipes in Denver and another city to see if their CIPP was performing as projected. In all cases, the CIPP pipes were either on schedule for very close, even though some of the pipes were halfway through their projected lifetime (25 and 21 years, respectively.) This is very encouraging news. While the report did recommend a more widespread, comprehensive study, the case studies were highly encouraging. The government is continuing to use CIPP as its go-to for large, difficult to reach, or expensive to maintain piping. If projects remain consistent, that puts the average lifespan of CIPP around 50 years.
There’s always more to know
CIPP tests have a history of coming back positive, but at the moment none of them are truly as comprehensive as we’d all like to see. The reason is simply due to the longevity of the pipes. You can’t know how long the functional life of a pipe is until that life has ended. Cured in place pipes have been widely used for thirty years, with some dating before that. That’s as many as twenty years less than the projected life of the pipe. How the pipes break down and how easy are they to fix will have to be established when there’s enough data of it happening to speak in generals. There’s always more to know. Given the positive results so far, most installers look forward with eagerness to comprehensive CIPP tests.
All the data shows that your business is in good hands with CIPP. Tests indicate that CIPP does indeed, last a long time. Whether they’ll reach their full projected lifespan remains to be seen, but all signs point to yes. Contact your local pipe lining specialists today.