Professional Cured-In-Place Pipe Lining – Restore Your Sewer Line Without Digging Up Your Yard
Thompson Trenchless brings over 30 years of specialized CIPP pipe lining experience to homeowners and businesses throughout Wyandotte, Monroe, and Downriver Michigan. Our advanced cured-in-place pipe technology creates a brand new pipe inside your existing damaged sewer line—without excavation, without destroying your landscaping, and without the massive expense of traditional dig-and-replace methods.
CIPP lining is one of the most effective trenchless sewer repair solutions available, offering a seamless, jointless pipe interior that lasts 50-100 years. Whether your sewer line suffers from tree root intrusion, cracked cast iron pipes, deteriorating clay joints, or general aging, our factory-trained technicians can restore your pipe to like-new condition in just one day.
Serving Wayne County and Monroe County with same-day emergency service, we provide comprehensive CIPP solutions backed by a 50-year material warranty and lifetime workmanship guarantee.
CIPP (Cured-In-Place Pipe) is a trenchless rehabilitation method that creates a new pipe within your existing damaged sewer line. The process uses a flexible liner tube saturated with epoxy resin that’s inserted into your pipe, expanded to fit tightly against the pipe walls, and cured to create a strong, seamless structural pipe.
Unlike traditional pipe replacement that requires excavating your entire sewer line, CIPP requires only small access points at each end of the damaged section—typically through existing cleanouts or small access holes measuring just 3×3 feet. The technology works through a chemical reaction where liquid epoxy resin hardens into a solid, structural pipe when exposed to heat.
The result is essentially a brand new pipe installed inside your old one, with no joints, no seams, and complete resistance to root intrusion, corrosion, and chemicals. The liner becomes the new pipe, providing full structural integrity even if the host pipe is severely deteriorated.
Traditional sewer pipe replacement requires excavating a continuous trench 3-4 feet wide along your entire sewer line—often 50-150 feet through your property. This means destroying landscaping, driveways, sidewalks, patios, and sometimes even portions of your foundation. The excavation process takes 3-5 days for most residential projects and costs $150-$250 per linear foot including restoration.
CIPP pipe lining, by contrast, accesses your sewer line through one or two small entry points, preserves 95% of your property, completes in 1-2 days with same-day drain use, and typically costs 30-50% less when all factors are considered. The installed liner provides equal or superior longevity (50-100 years vs. 50-70 years for traditional replacement).
Every CIPP project begins with a comprehensive video camera inspection using our HD sewer cameras. We insert a self-leveling camera system through your cleanout that travels the complete length of your sewer line, providing detailed documentation of pipe condition, damage extent, root intrusion severity, and pipe material. You receive complete camera footage on USB drive so you can see exactly what we see.
Before installing a CIPP liner, your pipe must be thoroughly cleaned to ensure proper resin adhesion. We use professional hydro jetting equipment that delivers up to 4,000 PSI of water pressure to remove all debris, tree roots, grease, scale, and buildup. The jetting process scours the pipe interior completely clean, leaving a smooth surface for optimal liner bonding.
The CIPP liner is custom-fabricated to your exact pipe diameter and length based on camera inspection measurements. The felt or fiberglass tube is saturated with two-part epoxy resin using specialized equipment that ensures uniform resin distribution throughout the liner. Temperature control is critical during this phase—the liner is kept cool to prevent premature curing until properly positioned.
We use either the inversion method (using water or air pressure to invert the liner inside-out as it travels through your pipe) or the pull-in-place method (using a winch system to pull the liner through). Both methods position the liner precisely against your pipe walls, ready for the curing process. The method chosen depends on your specific pipe configuration and length.
Once positioned, we initiate the curing process using hot water heated to 180-200°F circulated through the liner for 4-8 hours. The heat triggers the epoxy’s chemical reaction, transforming it from liquid to a rigid pipe with compressive strength exceeding 6,000 PSI. Throughout the curing process, we monitor internal pressure and temperature to ensure optimal conditions.
After curing is complete and the liner has cooled, we perform a detailed camera inspection to verify proper installation. We then reinstate any lateral connections—such as from upper-floor bathrooms or kitchen—using specialized robotic cutting equipment. You receive complete video documentation of the finished installation along with warranty paperwork. Your drains can typically be used within hours of completion.
Not sure if CIPP is right for your situation?
CIPP accesses your pipe through existing cleanouts or two small 3×3 access holes. This preserves 95% of your property, saving your landscaping, driveways, and patios from destruction.
Traditional pipes have joints every 4-10 feet where roots intrude. CIPP creates a completely seamless pipe from end to end with no weak points where roots can penetrate or leaks can develop.
CIPP installations carry a 50-year material warranty, with expected service life extending to 100+ years. The cured epoxy liner is impervious to corrosion, root penetration, and chemical degradation.
Most residential CIPP projects complete within one day. The curing process takes 4-8 hours, and your drains can typically be used within hours of completion—not weeks like traditional excavation.
The seamless epoxy surface prevents future tree root intrusion completely. Even if roots damaged your original pipe, the new liner permanently seals those entry points.
CIPP typically costs 30-50% less than traditional excavation when all factors are considered—including avoided costs for excavation, restoration, landscaping replacement, and property damage.
Cured epoxy resin is completely resistant to hydrogen sulfide, sewage, grease, household chemicals, and soil conditions. Perfect for corroded cast iron pipes or deteriorating clay pipes.
CIPP successfully rehabilitates pipes made from virtually any material including cast iron, clay tile, concrete, PVC, ABS plastic, and Orangeburg fiber conduit.
CIPP pipe lining is most effective when your pipe maintains a minimum level of structural integrity. Ideal conditions include:
Important: CIPP requires that your pipe maintain enough structure to support the liner during installation. Completely collapsed pipes with no internal void cannot be CIPP lined. In these cases, pipe bursting or traditional replacement may be more appropriate. Our video inspection definitively determines if CIPP is viable for your specific situation.
When CIPP isn’t suitable, we offer other trenchless solutions including pipe bursting for complete pipe replacement without excavation, slip lining for large diameter pipes, and lateral lining for smaller branch connections. Our expertise across all trenchless technologies ensures you get the right solution for your specific situation.
$80-$250 per linear foot
Most residential projects: $8,000-$15,000 total
CIPP pipe lining typically costs $80-$250 per linear foot depending on pipe diameter, length, condition, and accessibility. This price includes video inspection and cleaning, liner materials and installation, curing and quality control, final inspection and lateral reinstatement, and limited restoration of small access points.
Pipe Diameter: Residential sewer lines (4-6″ diameter) fall in the lower cost range. Larger commercial pipes (8-12″+) require more material and time, increasing costs proportionally.
Pipe Length: Longer runs provide some economy of scale. The per-foot cost often decreases for runs exceeding 100 feet since mobilization costs are spread over more linear footage.
Damage Severity: Pipes with severe damage may require additional preparation work including extensive root removal, mechanical cleaning of corroded areas, or point repairs before CIPP installation.
Access and Location: Difficult access, tight spaces, or obstacles between access points can affect pricing. However, even with complications, CIPP typically costs less than traditional excavation in similar conditions.
CIPP Pipe Lining: $8,000-$15,000 (materials, installation, small access restoration)
Traditional Excavation: $17,500-$38,000 (pipe replacement $7,500-$12,000 + excavation $3,000-$5,000 + landscaping restoration $3,000-$8,000 + driveway/sidewalk replacement $3,000-$10,000 + tree removal/protection $1,000-$3,000)
Total Savings with CIPP: $5,000-$23,000 while providing equal or superior longevity and performance.
Learn more about costs in our comprehensive trenchless repair cost guide and CIPP lifespan comparison.
We've completed thousands of successful CIPP installations across Wayne and Monroe Counties
Our team receives ongoing training directly from CIPP equipment and material manufacturers
We own professional CIPP curing systems, HD video inspection, and hydro jetting equipment
Comprehensive warranty coverage plus lifetime workmanship guarantee
Michigan Master Drain Plumber license, full liability insurance, workers compensation
Consistently excellent customer satisfaction across multiple review platforms
Detailed written estimates with no hidden fees or surprise charges
Complete camera inspection with USB footage included with every estimate
Same-day response available throughout Wyandotte and Monroe
Read what our customers say on our reviews page
and all Wayne and Monroe County communities.
Most residential CIPP installations complete within one day from start to finish. The curing process takes 4-8 hours depending on pipe diameter and ambient temperature, but the total timeline including cleaning, installation, and final inspection typically fits within an 8-10 hour workday. Your drains can usually be used within hours of completion.
CIPP reduces internal diameter by approximately 3-6mm (roughly 1/4 inch), which is negligible for flow capacity. The smooth interior surface of the cured liner actually improves flow characteristics compared to corroded or deteriorated original pipes, typically resulting in equal or better drainage despite the slight diameter reduction.
CIPP requires that your pipe maintain enough structure to support the liner during installation. Completely collapsed pipes with no internal void cannot be CIPP lined. However, pipes with significant damage short of complete collapse can often be successfully rehabilitated with CIPP. Our video inspection determines definitively whether CIPP is viable for your specific situation.
Thompson Trenchless provides a comprehensive 50-year material warranty on the CIPP liner itself, plus a lifetime workmanship warranty on our installation. These warranties are provided in writing and are transferable to subsequent property owners, adding value to your home.
CIPP pipe lining installations are expected to last 50-100+ years based on long-term performance data and material properties. The first CIPP installations from the 1970s continue performing flawlessly after 40-50 years with no signs of degradation. The cured epoxy material is essentially permanent when properly installed.
Yes, CIPP can be successfully installed year-round in Michigan including during winter months. Cold weather may extend curing times slightly, but the process works reliably even in freezing conditions. Thompson Trenchless offers emergency trenchless repairs 24/7, regardless of weather.
Yes, the seamless epoxy surface prevents future tree root intrusion completely. Unlike jointed pipe systems where roots can re-enter at connections, CIPP provides no entry points for roots. Even if roots damaged your original pipe, the new liner permanently seals those entry points. Learn more about our tree root removal services.
CIPP pipe lining typically costs $80-$250 per linear foot depending on pipe diameter, length, condition, and access. Most residential projects involving 50-100 linear feet cost $8,000-$15,000 total. This is typically 30-50% less expensive than traditional excavation when all costs including restoration are factored in.
Schedule your free video inspection and CIPP evaluation today.
