The 5 Biggest Health Risks of CIPP Repair (and How to Protect Your Team and Your Customers)
As CIPP repair grows in demand, more and more plumbing companies are taking advantage of this opportunity to add to their revenue while helping residential and commercial customers repair their broken pipes faster. But for some customers, the potential health risks of CIPP repair could keep them from choosing your company in place of trenching and replacing their pipes.
From concerns over inhalation and exposure to environmental concerns, your business needs to be ready to help your potential customers better understand the risks, as well as the steps you can take to reduce those risks.
Why Should You Know the Health Risks of CIPP Repair?
There are many news reports that put CIPP repair in a bad light because of some of the potential health risks of exposure during and after installation. But the truth is that the health risks of CIPP repair are not as prevalent as the news makes them seem.
Preparing your team for questions over chemicals, curing, and contamination can give you the chance to meet and overcome objections when providing estimates for repairs. We’ll help equip you with the answers you need to make CIPP repair the easy choice for your potential customers.
5 Most Common Potential Health Risks of CIPP Repair
While the majority of CIPP repairs are completely safe and uneventful, the resins that make these jobs simple and effective are also the source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and styrene, both of which can be harmful if they aren’t dealt with appropriately.
1: Chemical Exposure
Direct contact with the chemicals used in CIPP repairs can be hazardous, especially in enclosed spaces with inadequate ventilation. According to one study, side effects of direct chemical exposure can include:
Irritation of skin, eyes, nose, and the respiratory system
Breathing difficulties
Headaches, dizziness, light-headedness, nausea, and loss of consciousness
And while styrene vapor is the most studied hazardous chemical produced during CIPP repairs, acute or extended exposure to multiple VOCs may be even more dangerous than styrene.
2: Airborne Particulate Matter
Cutting the cured liners to reinstate and reconnect all junctions and terminals to the repaired pipe can create particulate matter. These particulates can irritate the throat, nose, lungs, and eyes.
3: Off-Gassing During Curing
“Steam” plumes produced from the curing process contain much more than water vapor. Bystanders could be exposed to styrene and VOCs of these plumes are not properly mitigated.
4: Potable Water Contamination
When resin is not completely cured, it can contaminate potable water supplies. Styrene can also be transported in water for an extended period. This can cause issues with interconnected water supplies like those in multifamily buildings, as well as problems with water treatment plants.
5: Environmental Impacts
When repairs are not planned or completed properly, excess chemicals can seep into soil and natural water sources. These compounds can cause damage to ecosystems, including harming and even killing plants and animals.
How to Protect Residents from the Health Risks of CIPP Repair
By focusing on safety, you can help your customers feel more confident that choosing CIPP for their pipe repairs is the right decision. Education, information, and preparation all play key roles in keeping people safe during and after CIPP repairs.
Pre-Repair Communication
One of the most important steps companies can take is communicating with individuals who may be affected by the potential health risks of CIPP repair. Businesses can develop flyers, door hangers, or pamphlets to inform property owners and residents about the most common issues with cured-in-place pipe repairs.
These informational handouts should include information like:
Potential health risks
Possible side effects
Preventative measures residents can take
Timelines for repairs, chemical off-gassing, and curing
Who to contact if residents have concerns about the risks
Providing knowledge and information before residents encounter unexpected smells helps put people at ease when repairs are necessary. It’s also an opportunity to share the benefits of CIPP repair, including simpler repairs, faster reinstatement, and less disruption of services.
Proper Containment
Both the vapors and odors associated with CIPP repairs can cause alarm, whether or not the exposure is dangerous to residents. Repair crews should take extra time and effort to contain repair areas in order to minimize off-gassing.
Repair Timing
Different types of properties have different peak hours of activity. Repair companies can take advantage of non-peak times to reduce the chance of unnecessary exposure to chemicals.
For commercial repairs, avoid business hours to limit exposing employees and customers to chemicals. Similarly, residential repairs can be performed during the work day when possible to reduce the health risks of CIPP repairs for homeowners and tenants.
Low-VOC Resins
Some resins are now made with reduced styrene and VOC content to combat the health risks of CIPP repairs. There are even VOC- and styrene-free resins available. While these new resins may not be well-suited for all applications, they show promise for smaller residential work.
How to Protect Workers from Health Risks of CIPP Repair
Protecting residents and property owners is important, but you shouldn’t neglect your employees. Help keep your team safe from CIPP-related health risks with these steps.
Personal Protective Equipment
Eye protection, face masks, and gloves help reduce the risk of chemical exposure for technicians working with CIPP repair materials. This first step can significantly reduce short-term issues and long-term effects. PPE is the simplest and most cost-effective way to safeguard employee health.
Ventilation Systems
Since airborne chemicals and particulate matter make up the majority of exposure risks, ventilation is a highly effective approach to reducing CIPP-related health risks. Techs can set up extra ventilation systems that expel vapors outside of the repair areas. And for bigger repairs, including commercial and municipal work, should account for the high-volume vapor plumes by creating vapor towers with barriers that keep pedestrians clear of accidental exposure.
Real-Time Air Monitoring
Continuous air quality testing can help techs keep a close eye on chemical exposure risks during installations. By monitoring VOC and styrene levels during and after repairs, CIPP repair companies can offer better peace of mind for residents, safer working conditions for techs, and faster response times when chemical levels exceed safe thresholds.
Training and Awareness
When technicians know the risks, signs, and side effects of exposure to VOCs and styrene, they can better respond to issues as they arise. Techs can also prep for repairs more carefully to prevent dangerous exposure levels from occurring.
A Clear Return on Investment
CIPP repairs are fast, less invasive, and safe when completed properly. But when your customers have concerns about chemical exposure, being prepared to meet those questions and concerns head-on will give your customers more confidence that they’ll be safe throughout the repair process. The extra training, setup time, and preventative measures you take will help you win customers that might otherwise turn down CIPP repairs. Knowing and addressing these concerns position your company as experts with a focus on customer satisfaction and safety.
Better Training, Better Equipment, Better Business
When you want to learn the most effective and safe methods for CIPP repair, you’ll need to find a company that does more than just sell materials and equipment. T3 Lining Supply is your go-to training and pipe lining supply company for leading training and technical support, as well as high-quality materials backed by third-party testing and specifications.
Our experienced team will help your team overcome challenges to grow your business and support your employees 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Reach out today to see the T3 difference!