CIPP (Cured-In-Place Pipe)

CIPP stands for Cured-In-Place Pipe. It's a trenchless rehabilitation method used to repair damaged sewer laterals, storm drains, and water pipes without excavating the ground above.

The process: a felt liner saturated with thermosetting epoxy resin is pulled or inverted into the existing pipe, then cured (typically with hot water, steam, or UV light) until the resin hardens. The result is a continuous, joint-free pipe inside the old one — adding 20–40 years of life to a deteriorated sewer lateral.

When CIPP makes sense: the host pipe must still be structurally sound enough to hold the liner during installation. CIPP can fix cracks, joint separations, light root intrusions, and minor ovalization. It cannot fix a fully collapsed pipe — that requires pipe bursting or trenched replacement.

Cost in 2026: $4,500–$12,000 for a residential lateral, depending on length, depth, and access. Generally 10–30% more expensive than spot-repair excavation but far less disruptive (no lawn or driveway to restore).