The Complete Troubleshooting Guide for CIPP Installation: Preventing and Solving Common Problems
Your first years of operation as a CIPP repair service can be rough. Your techs will need to learn new skills, spot and address new problems, and grow accustomed to new workflows and requirements.
Your success depends on having fast solutions to common problems with CIPP repairs, but it also depends on having protocols and standards in place so that problems don’t happen in the first place.
Pre-Installation Troubleshooting
The majority of CIPP repair issues can be avoided altogether if techs take the right steps from the start. Pre-installation inspections, calculations, and site evaluations set the stage for problem-free installations.
BEST PRACTICE: Always conduct a thorough site assessment before bringing equipment to the location.
Job Assessment and Planning
Start your repairs the right way by assessing your worksite for conditions that could change how you perform your installation.
Climate and Temperature
Check the forecasted temperatures for your scheduled installation dates, along with the general trends for your area. A 10° change in the weather can leave you with serious curing issues if you don’t prepare for it.
Host Pipe Condition
Your repair strategy depends on the condition of your host pipe. The liner can’t adhere to a pipe with debris or intrusions on the interior, and certain pipe conditions will disqualify CIPP repair (bellies, structurally unsound sections, collapses, etc.). CCTV is your best friend for these inspections.
Access Points
Inversion CIPP repairs often only require a single access point to complete, but other methods like pull-in-place repair need two or more access points. Determine the least invasive options before bringing equipment to the job site. If the access points require excavation or additional site prep, make notes so the repair team knows what they should prep for.
Condition assessment is critical to lasting repairs. But what does it include?
Pipe Preparation Issues
With your initial site inspection complete, your teams will know the steps necessary to clean and prep the damaged pipe for repairs. Without the right prep, even the best materials will fail.
Common preparation mistakes include:
Insufficient debris removal: Residual debris prevents proper resin adhesion to the host pipe.
Inadequate drying: Moisture interferes with resin bonding and can cause delamination.
Skipping CCTV inspection: Visual confirmation of pipe cleanliness is essential before proceeding.
Here are some steps to take to avoid these pre-installation issues:
Thorough cleaning protocols: have a standardized procedure for cleaning the pipes before starting installation. Have methods in place for chain knockers, waterjetting, and other scouring tools.
Standardize your procedure for drying pipes before starting. Time requirements and humidity monitoring can help keep teams on track during pipe preparation.
Require CCTV inspections, completed by an experienced technician, that include paperwork for the process to keep record of any issues and to ensure the inspection is done properly.
SAFETY TIP: Always wear appropriate PPE during pipe cleaning, as debris and cleaning agents can be hazardous.
Installation Troubleshooting
From resins to calibration, installation problems can be avoided and corrected with the right steps in place. Here are our top recommendations for making your installations as smooth as possible.
Resin Selection and Preparation
Success on the job site starts with the right resin-to-base-to-activator ratio, and that depends largely on the ambient temperature of your job site. When it’s not done properly, your teams could struggle with several installation issues.
BEST PRACTICE: Check the ambient activation temperature of your resins before each job.
Your ambient temperature can change cure times significantly if you don’t compensate for the temperature properly.
For Cold Weather (below 70ºF)
Add an activator like Perkadox to speed up the chemical reaction
Choose a faster-curing resin (30- or 15-minute resin instead of 60-minute)
Use hot-water or steam curing systems to keep cure times consistent
For Hot Weather (above 85ºF)
Skip the activator addition
Use a slower 60-minute ambient cure resin
Switch from hot water to ambient curing methods
TIP: Always mix resins according to manufacturer specifications, as improper ratios are a leading cause of curing problems.
Struggling to get your cure right? Here’s how to do it right in any weather.
Temperature-Related Curing Problems
Temperature control is perhaps the most critical factor in successful CIPP installation. Here's how to identify and address common temperature-related issues:
Resin Cures Too Quickly
If your liner is losing flexibility before you can get it properly positioned, your resin is curing too fast. This typically happens when:
Ambient temperatures exceed your resin's activation temperature
You're using activators unnecessarily in warm conditions
Your hot-water cure system is too hot
Resin Cures Too Slowly
When your liner takes longer than the specified time to harden completely, you're dealing with slow curing. This occurs when:
Ambient temperatures fall below the activation threshold
Insufficient activator is used in cold conditions
Your heat source isn't maintaining consistent temperatures
Incomplete or Uneven Curing
When sections of your liner cure at different rates, it creates weak points. This is commonly caused by:
Temperature variations within different sections of the pipe
Inconsistent heat application during curing
Working with pipes that transition between indoor and outdoor environments
SAFETY TIP: Monitor curing temperatures constantly, as temperature fluctuations can create hazardous conditions and compromise installation quality.
Liner Placement Issues
Even with perfect resin preparation, improper liner placement can derail your installation. Common placement problems include:
Difficulty navigating bends and laterals
Improper inflation pressure during installation
Incorrect sizing of the liner for the host pipe
To minimize these issues, ensure precise measurements of the host pipe and select appropriate liner dimensions with adequate allowance for proper inflation and curing.
Post-Installation Troubleshooting
The job isn’t done until you can sign off on a warranty for your work. That takes knowing how to recognize problems with curing, having solutions ready for day-of corrections, and taking the time to do the right QC checks before leaving the job site.
Identifying Common Defects
Regular post-installation inspection helps identify defects before they become major problems. Here are the four most common issues to watch for:
Lifts and Sags
Appearance: Bulges or depressions in the liner
Cause: Water infiltration pushing improperly installed resin to shift
Risk: Continued corrosion of the host pipe and eventual leaks
Resin Washout
Appearance: Thin spots or holes in the cured liner
Cause: Improperly mixed resin gets washed away during curing
Risk: Weak points leading to new leaks and continued pipe deterioration
Delamination
Appearance: Liner separating from the host pipe
Cause: Inadequate pipe cleaning or drying before installation
Risk: Host pipe corrosion and compromised liner integrity
Incomplete Curing
Appearance: Soft spots, bubbles, or blisters in the liner
Cause: Inconsistent temperature during curing process
Risk: Continued deterioration of the host pipe and liner failure
BEST PRACTICE: Conduct thorough CCTV inspection after every installation to document results and identify any issues requiring immediate attention.
Quality Control Measures
Implementing a multi-faceted quality control process ensures consistent installation quality and helps identify improvement opportunities:
Post-installation CCTV inspection of the entire lined section
Documentation of installation parameters (temperatures, pressures, cure times)
Regular calibration of temperature monitoring equipment
Sample testing of cured liners to verify physical properties
Rework Solutions
So what about worst-case scenarios? If your installation has bigger failures, there are still ways to get your customers back to normal with minimal downtime. But with each fix, you’ll need to be ready for the challenges that could accompany the initial problems.
Spot Repair Techniques
For isolated defects in otherwise sound installations, targeted spot repairs can be efficient and cost-effective.
Repair problem areas by:
Applying resin-impregnated liner patches to affected areas
Using specialized equipment to ensure proper adhesion
Curing according to standard protocols
Reprocessing Methods
Sometimes the problem is simply an improperly cured liner keeping your work from being completed correctly. When liners have lifts, sags, or incomplete curing:
Use a pressurized bladder to push the liner back into place
Recure the affected sections, maintaining appropriate temperature
Conduct post-repair CCTV inspection to verify success
Full Relining Options
Not all problems are repairable. In cases of extensive defects or failures:
Consider the reduced diameter from the initial liner
Select appropriate materials for the second lining
Follow all standard installation protocols with added attention to potential problem areas
TIP: Always investigate the root cause of installation failures to prevent recurrence in future projects.
Advanced Solutions
If you’re experiencing repeated issues with your installations, the solution could be more than just quick fixes or small changes in your process. With tech advances in the field of CIPP repair, your business could benefit from new equipment, better materials, or more extensive training programs.
UV Curing Technology
One of the newest technologies changing how CIPP repairs are performed is UV curing. The unique ultraviolet light-activated resin shortens cure times from hours to minutes. But the benefits go beyond time alone.
UV curing makes curing processes more consistent, reducing the potential for undercured sections of the liner. It’s also more energy efficient than hot water curing, so it’s better for the environment. And for technicians, UV curing means less exposure to heat and chemicals during jobs.
UV Curing: The next generation of CIPP repairs (what you need to know)
Advanced Equipment and Materials
Using subpar equipment or materials can lead to subpar repairs. All pipe lining supply companies follow ASTM standards, but very few go beyond basic requirements to make repairs more dependable and predictable. The few companies that go beyond ASTM requirements can provide detailed spec sheets that help your teams adjust resin mixes, temperatures, and curing times properly for different conditions, both inside and outside of the donor pipe.
And with newer equipment, repair technicians can make more precise calibrations for more complex jobs. Old equipment can get basic jobs done, but equipment custom-built for your materials can make a huge difference in your team’s efficiency and success.
Professional Training Programs
But even with the best equipment, most advanced systems, and highest quality materials, you won’t see the results you want without training to back it all up. This is where hands-on training and on-demand customer support come in.
Quality trenchless lining technical training starts with your team, not a static curriculum. Look for programs that let you determine where your team trains, what your team learns, and how to use the equipment you plan to take into the field.
And once training is complete, make sure your trenchless lining supply company can help you get through challenges with live assistance. Don’t settle for a recorded message or an automated system. When your team’s equipment isn’t working or you’ve run into a challenge you didn’t expect, having an expert on the other side of the phone could save you time, money, and frustration.
Work With a Pipe Lining Supply Company That Cares About Your Business
Your typical pipe lining supply company is just that: a supply company. There may be some limited training options available, or even some customer support. But where many of the big companies stop is where T3 starts.
Our seasoned experts are ready to help your teams become experts faster with custom-tailored training and 24/7 live support, something you won’t find with other suppliers. We’re here to support small businesses with better equipment, better materials, and better service.
Find out for yourself today—reach out to see what T3 can do for you!
