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Home / Learn / Which Method Do You Need?
Decision Guide

CIPP lining vs. pipe bursting vs. coating

Three trenchless methods, three different jobs. Here’s how to tell which one your pipe needs — and why the camera inspection is what actually decides.

“Trenchless” isn’t one thing. The right method depends entirely on the condition of your pipe, which is why we never recommend one without scoping the line first. Here’s the logic we use.

If the pipe is…Best method
Cracked/leaking but structurally intactCIPP lining
Collapsed, severely offset, or OrangeburgPipe bursting
Corroding internally but sound (cast iron)Epoxy coating or descaling
Bad in just one short sectionSpot / point repair
Full of grease/scale but undamagedHydro jetting / descaling

CIPP lining — a new pipe inside the old

The workhorse. A resin liner cures into a jointless structural pipe inside your existing one. Ideal for clay and cast iron with cracks, roots at joints, or leaks — as long as there’s a sound host pipe to line against. More on CIPP →

Pipe bursting — full replacement, no full trench

When there’s nothing left to line — a collapsed line, severe offsets, or deteriorated Orangeburg — bursting pulls a brand-new HDPE pipe through the old one’s path. It can also upsize your line. More on bursting →

Coating — stop corrosion on a sound pipe

For cast iron that’s corroding but not cracking, an epoxy coating restores the interior surface. It’s non-structural, so it’s the wrong choice for a pipe that’s failing structurally — honesty about that distinction matters. More on coating →

The deciding factor

All of this comes down to what the camera shows. A free inspection turns “which method?” from a guess into an engineering decision.

FAQ

Related questions

Which is most durable?
CIPP and HDPE (bursting) both carry ~50-year design lives. Coating restores a surface but doesn’t add structure. The ‘most durable’ choice is the one that matches your pipe’s actual condition.
Can you combine methods?
Yes — e.g. jet/descale to clean, then line. Or spot-repair one section of an otherwise sound line. The inspection guides the plan.
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