I have a swimming pool that is leaking somewhere in the piping. Can some sort of a liner be put in the pipe to stop the leaks? The pipe is PVC and has several 90 degree bends.

- Ed

Ed, unfortunately your problem is the pipe material used, not that there are 90 degree bends. If your pipes were metallic, epoxy lining them could have been a solution. PVC (polyvinyl chloride) pipes, used in most pool installations, can’t have a lining installed. You’re going to have to excavate the pipes and then repaired or replaced.

-Brian

I have a cast iron sewer pipe in my basement.  It has an oxidized residue of some sort on it and isn’t pretty, but so far hasn’t failed.  However, last night I noticed that it appears to have some cracks in it.  Nothing is oozing out of the cracks, but I’m worried now that it may fail.  I never even knew that cast iron would crack.  Do you know if the crack could just be some type of outer sleeve, or if it is getting ready to fail?

-Heather

Heather, cast iron pipe is a very brittle and porous pipe. Flexing and settling over time can cause it to crack, and it’s also prone to wearing out (from the inside out) when continually used. You can’t tell when or if the pipe will leak just by looking at it, it’s possible that it may never leak, or that it could start leaking tomorrow. I would suggest keeping an eye on it and when/if it fails, calling in a plumber to replace it. Or, you may want to talk to local plumbers that offer “sock lining”, a process in which a lining is inserted into the pipe creating a pipe within the existing pipe. It’s generally used for longer lengths of pipe that what you’re describing, so I’m not sure that would be possible or a cost-effective alternative to replacement.

-Brian

I have a slab leak - the side of my garage is seeping water through the outside of the garage - per the last plumber - it is a drainage line break at the 90 that supports the upstairs bathroom.  They are talking about excavating under the foundation and repairing - can we sleeve instead.  We can see the pipe through the sheet-rock in the garage…
Please tell me what to do - estimate came in at $3,000.

-Angelica

Angelica, a pipe sleeve is used to protect a pipe from the material it’s passing through (e.g. a wall or concrete), what you’re referring to is called sock lining, and it may be a solution to your problem. I would suggest that you contact a plumbing company in your area that has sock lining technologies to get an estimate.

-Brian

What is the chemical composition of CuraPoxy? How safe is it to drink water from pipe lined with this as compared to other plastic pipes and water containers?

-Gerry

Gerry, while I can’t disclose the chemical composition of CuraFlo’s epoxy, CuraPoxy®, I can tell you that it’s certified to meet ANSI/NSF Standard 61 which is the U.S. government’s standard for safe drinking water. This standard has been in place since 1988 and has been used to certify over 12,000 products. To find out about the safe for drinking water certifications on plastic pipes and bottles I recommend you contact their specific manufacturers directly. 

-Dr. Dave