If a plumber has told you that your pipes need attention, you’ve probably heard two options: relining or replacement. Both fix the problem, but they work very differently and the right choice depends on what’s actually going on underground.
Here’s a straightforward guide to help you understand the difference and know which option is likely to suit your situation.
What is the difference?
Pipe relining is a no-dig method. Instead of digging up your yard to access the damaged pipe, a flexible liner coated in resin is fed inside the existing pipe. Then it’s inflated and cured in place, which creates a new pipe within the old one. It involves no excavation and no mess, and can be completed within one day (depending on the complexity).
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On the other hand, pipe replacement is quite a traditional approach. It involves digging a trench to expose the damaged section before removing the old pip and installing a new one. The ground is then backfilled and the surface is restored. It’s more disruptive, but sometimes it’s the only possible option.
When pipe relining is the better choice
Your pipes are cracked, leaking or have root intrusion, but they’re still structurally intact: This means that the pipe hasn’t completely caved in, so a liner can be inserted and cured to seal it up. The new lining is smooth and seamless, which also prevents roots from being able to easily find their way back in.
The damaged pipe runs under a driveway or concrete slab: Pipe relining allows us to repair the issues without the need to dig anything up, which can be expensive and disruptive.
You want a faster result with less downtime: Relining is typically completed within a day, which means less disruption to your family and household. Whereas pipe replacement can take several days once you factor in excavation, installation and reinstatement.
If long-term durability matters: High quality pipe relining is designed to last. The cured liner is resistant to corrosion and root intrusion, and often comes with warranties of up to 35 years.
When pipe replacement is the right call
Pipe relining isn’t always possible. There are situations where pipe replacement is the only safe and effective option:
The pipe has completely collapsed: A liner needs something to sit inside, so if the pipe has caved in there is nothing stable to reline.
The pipe is running at the wrong slope: Good drainage depends on pipes sitting at the correct angle. If it’s not quite right, relining won’t fix the flow problem and the pipe will need to be repositioned.
Damage is too extensive: If large sections of the pipe are in poor condition, a full replacement mat give you a stronger long-term solution rather than relining a severely broken pipe.
The pipe is short and easy to access: In some cases, a short section of pipe in open ground can be quicker and cheaper to replace than to reline.
How do you know what your pipes actually need?
This is where a CCTV drain inspection can help. A camera is fed through the drain so the technician can see exactly what’s going on inside. It will show the location of the damage, what caused it, how bad it is and whether the pipe is structurally sound enough to reline.
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It’s the most reliable way to make the right call for your home, and it means you’re not spending money on a solution that doesn’t match the problem.
How much does pipe relining cost compared to replacement?
The honest answer is that both options vary quite a bit depending on your specific situation, and any plumber quoting you a fixed price without inspecting first is worth questioning. That said, here’s a general guide to help you understand what drives the cost.
Pipe relining typically starts at around $400 to $800 per metre, and some companies charge a setup or establishment fee for the equipment on top of that. It sounds like a significant investment, but the cost is largely contained to the relining work itself.
Pipe replacement tends to run 50 to 60% higher than relining, and that gap can widen considerably depending on your property. Here’s why:
What’s on top of the pipe matters most: Accessibility to the pipe has an impact on the cost. A pipe running under a garden is straightforward. Under a driveway, a concrete slab or a retaining wall, the cost to get access climbs quickly.
Depth adds cost: The deeper the pipe, the more labour is involved. A deep trench also needs to be wider for safety reasons, and in tight spaces that may mean paying for trench support to prevent collapse.
Reinstatement is a separate cost: Once the pipe is replaced and the trench is backfilled, the ground needs time to settle and the surface needs to be restored. Landscaping costs after a dig-up can become significant, and you may notice a trench depression in your yard years later if it isn’t done well.
Disposal costs can surprise people: If hydro excavation is used (a less destructive digging method), the material removed is classified as contaminated waste because it contains sewer material. The disposal costs can run into the thousands.
Questions to ask your plumber
Before committing to either option, it’s reasonable to ask the following:
What’s the condition of the pipe and is it suitable for relining?
What’s above the pipe and how will you access it?
Is reinstatement included in the quote, or is that separate?
What warranty does the relining come with?
Have you done a CCTV inspection, or is this quote an estimate?
A plumber who can answer all of these clearly is one you can trust to give you the right recommendation for your home. It’s also worth knowing that pipe conditions don’t improve on their own. A small crack that’s straightforward to reline today can turn into a collapsed pipe that needs full replacement down the track, so catching it early almost always works in your favour both practically and financially.
What it comes down to
Most pipe damage that we see in residential homes includes cracked joints, root intrusion and slow leaks, which are all well suited to pipe relining. It’s less invasive, usually more cost-effective and the results last.
If you’ve noticed slow drains, gurgling sounds, wet patches in the yard or recurring blockages, it’s worth getting a proper look. We can run a CCTV drain inspection to show you exactly what’s happening, and talk through some options with no pressure.
