How Our Trenchless Technology Creates Lasting Solutions
At Trenchless Innovations, we’re often asked about the science behind our pipe and air duct lining technologies. While these methods might seem like magic—restoring damaged systems without extensive digging or demolition—they’re actually based on sound scientific principles and innovative engineering. Today, we’re pulling back the curtain to explain how these remarkable restoration techniques actually work.
Do you need help with your home’s pipes or air ducts? Give us a call at 708-758-5070 today!
Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP) Lining: The Structural Solution
When we approach a damaged sewer line, one of our most powerful tools is CIPP lining. This revolutionary process allows us to create a brand-new pipe within your existing pipe without digging up your yard or breaking through walls.
Here’s how it works: We begin with a flexible tube made of specialized felt or fiberglass material. This tube is custom-sized to match your pipe’s exact dimensions. We then saturate this liner with a specific type of thermosetting resin—essentially a liquid plastic that hardens when exposed to heat or UV light.
Using our specialized equipment, we insert this resin-soaked liner into your damaged pipe, typically accessing it through existing access points like cleanouts. Once positioned correctly, we inflate the liner, pressing it firmly against the interior walls of the old pipe. Then comes the transformation—we introduce heat (usually through steam or hot water) or UV light that triggers a chemical reaction called polymerization.
During polymerization, the resin molecules link together, forming long polymer chains that create an incredibly strong, rigid structure. The science is similar to what happens when baking a cake—what goes in as a liquid batter comes out as a solid structure with completely different properties. The end result is a seamless, joint-free new pipe within your old pipe that often exceeds the strength of the original.
This new pipe resists root intrusion, seals cracks, bridges gaps, and prevents future corrosion. The chemical composition of the resin also ensures it adheres permanently to the existing pipe, creating a watertight seal that can last upwards of 50 years.
Epoxy Pipe Coating: The Protective Shield
For pipes that have smaller issues like pinhole leaks, early corrosion, or water quality concerns, we often employ epoxy coating technology. This process is particularly effective for residential water supply lines.
Epoxy coating involves applying a layer of specialized epoxy resin to the interior surface of pipes. The science here revolves around adhesion and barrier protection. Epoxy resins contain two components—epoxide resin and polyamine hardener—that remain separate until application. When mixed, these components undergo a chemical reaction that creates cross-linking between molecules.
Before application, we thoroughly clean the interior pipe surfaces using compressed air or specialized mechanical cleaners to ensure proper adhesion. We then blow the mixed epoxy through the pipe system, creating a uniform coating that adheres at the molecular level to the pipe’s interior surface.
As the epoxy cures, it forms a protective barrier that prevents further corrosion, seals minor leaks, and stops harmful metals like lead or copper from leaching into water supplies. The resulting surface is incredibly smooth, which actually improves water flow and prevents future buildup of minerals or biofilm.
Air Duct Armor: Revolutionizing HVAC Systems
Our air duct lining technology, which we call Duct Armor, applies similar scientific principles to HVAC systems. In this process, we apply a specialized coating to the interior of air ducts to seal leaks, prevent contamination, and improve overall efficiency.
The science involves using water-based, eco-friendly polymers with unique elastomeric properties. These polymers contain molecules that can stretch and return to their original shape, allowing the coating to expand and contract with your ductwork as temperatures change throughout the seasons.
We apply this coating as a liquid that flows into all the corners, seams, and small holes of your ductwork. As the water component evaporates, the polymer molecules move closer together and form strong bonds. This creates a continuous, flexible membrane that seals leaks while remaining breathable enough to prevent moisture condensation issues.
The resulting coating also has antimicrobial properties that inhibit the growth of mold, bacteria, and other microorganisms that can impact indoor air quality. By addressing these biological concerns while also improving system efficiency, Duct Armor delivers both health and energy-saving benefits.
Cutting Edge Technology For Your Home
At Trenchless Innovations, we’re committed to using the most advanced restoration technologies available. By understanding the science behind these solutions, we hope you can appreciate why they’re not just convenient alternatives to traditional repair methods, but often superior options that deliver longer-lasting results with less disruption to your property and daily life.
Have questions about which lining solution might be right for your home? Contact our team at 708-758-5070 today for a consultation.