Pipe Relining vs Pipe Replacement: Which Is Right for Your Home?

When Old Pipes Fail Beneath Your Feet

If you’ve discovered a damaged pipe under your driveway, lawn, or even worse, beneath your bathroom, kitchen or pool, you’re likely facing two options: pipe relining or pipe replacement. Both are legitimate solutions.

But depending on where the damage sits, the condition of your pipe, and what lies above it, one method may save you thousands and protect your property from unnecessary destruction.

What Is Pipe Relining?

Pipe relining is a trenchless plumbing technique that restores your pipes from the inside. Instead of digging up the ground to access the damaged section, a flexible liner soaked in resin is inserted into the pipe. It’s then expanded and cured in place, forming a new, solid internal pipe without needing to remove the original.

This is the go-to option when you want to avoid digging through concrete, pavers, landscaped gardens, or internal flooring.

See Our Services: Pipe Relining Sydney and Pipe Relining Sutherland Shire

What Is Pipe Replacement?

Pipe replacement involves digging out the old pipe and physically replacing it with a new one. Depending on access, this may involve open trench excavation or pipe-bursting methods. It’s typically required when the old pipe has completely collapsed, lost alignment, or is made from severely degraded materials like terracotta or cast iron.

Pipe Relining vs Pipe Replacement: Side-by-Side Breakdown

Feature	Pipe Relining	Pipe Replacement
Invasiveness	Non-invasive – no excavation required	Invasive – digging required
Property Impact	No damage to landscaping or driveways	May require cutting concrete, lifting tiles, damaging gardens
Speed	Usually completed in 1 day	Can take several days to a week
Longevity	50+ years with modern epoxy lining	50–100 years depending on material
Cost	Lower when factoring in restoration	Higher when landscaping or flooring must be restored
Suitability	Ideal for cracks, tree root intrusion, and minor misalignments	Required for collapsed, deformed or misaligned pipes
Environmental Impact	Lower – no soil removal or landfill	Higher – excavation and waste removal involved

When Pipe Relining Is the Better Option

Relining is ideal if:

• The pipe has cracks, small holes, or root infiltration, but hasn’t collapsed
• The pipe is underneath driveways, concrete slabs, tiles, or pool areas
• You want minimal mess and a fast turnaround
• You’re planning renovations and want to future-proof your system without excavation

We’ve used pipe relining under pools, patios, and tight subfloors, saving Sydney homeowners thousands in excavation and repair costs, all without lifting a single tile.

When Pipe Replacement Makes More Sense

Replacement is necessary when:

• The pipe has collapsed or sagged (backfall or bellied)
• The original material is completely disintegrated (e.g., crumbling terracotta)
• You’re upsizing the pipe or changing layout (like moving plumbing in a renovation)
• There’s poor slope or structural failure that relining can’t fix

If your pipe is deformed or misaligned, relining may not sit correctly and won’t seal properly. That’s when full replacement is the safer long-term solution.

Local Advice for Sutherland Shire Homes

In the Sutherland Shire, many homes built before the 1990s still rely on terracotta sewer pipes. These old clay pipes are a magnet for tree roots. They’re also prone to cracking and displacement. Because so many homes are tightly built on blocks with mature landscaping, driveways, or swimming pools, trenchless pipe relining is often the smarter solution.

What Happens If You Wait Too Long

Putting off repairs can cause:

• Sewage backups
• Water leaks under slabs
• Soil erosion or sinkholes
• Costly emergency excavations

Even a small root intrusion today can grow into a full collapse within months.

How We Help

The Blocked Drain Guys specialise in pipe inspections, CCTV diagnostics, and both trenchless pipe relining and full pipe replacement. We’ll assess your property, explain your options, and offer a fixed-price solution that suits your home and budget.

We’ve saved homeowners across Caringbah, Cronulla, Kirrawee, and the wider Sutherland Shire tens of thousands by repairing pipes under pools, patios, and tiled bathrooms, without lifting a stone.

Want to find out which solution is right for your home?

When pipes fail underground, the decision between pipe relining and replacement depends on the condition of the pipe and the value of what lies above it. In Sydney’s Sutherland Shire, where outdoor spaces, landscaping and pool surrounds are common, pipe relining offers a modern, non-invasive solution with long-lasting benefits.

Speak with a local specialist who understands the ground you’re standing on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will pipe relining reduce my pipe size?
Yes, by a few millimetres. But because the surface is smoother than clay or concrete, the flow rate typically improves.

Can I reline a pipe that’s completely blocked?
Only if the pipe hasn’t collapsed. We’ll clear it with a high-pressure jet blaster, inspect it, then determine if relining is safe.

Is relining more expensive than replacement?
In many cases, relining is cheaper overall, especially when you factor in the cost of restoring driveways or retiling bathrooms.

How long does relining last?
A properly installed liner can last 50+ years — and some come with long warranties.