The MaxLiner CIPP Process, Explained Step by Step

What CIPP Lining Actually Is

Cured-in-place pipe, or CIPP, is a trenchless method for repairing a damaged sewer or drain line by building a new pipe inside the old one instead of digging the old one out. A resin-saturated liner is inserted into the existing pipe, expanded against its walls, and cured until it hardens into a smooth, jointless replacement pipe within the original one. For homeowners, the practical difference is what does not happen: no trench across the yard, no torn-up driveway or landscaping, and no rebuilding a section of foundation just to reach a damaged pipe underneath it.

Why We Use the MaxLiner System

Not all CIPP products or installation methods are the same, which is why installer training matters. Kevin Coleman holds the MaxLiner USA CIPP Installation Certification, meaning he has been trained specifically on the MaxLiner system’s liner materials, resin handling, and installation procedure rather than treating CIPP as an interchangeable add-on to general plumbing work. That specific training is what allows us to size, saturate, and cure a liner correctly for pipe conditions here in the Augusta area.

The MaxLiner CIPP Process, Step by Step

1. Step 1 - Camera Inspection: Before anything else, we run a sewer camera through the line to confirm the location, length, and condition of the damage - cracks, offset joints, root intrusion, or corrosion all show up differently and affect how the liner is prepared.
2. Step 2 - Cleaning and Descaling the Pipe: The existing pipe has to be clean and free of scale, roots, and debris before a liner can bond to it. This is done with hydro jetting and, where scale buildup is heavy, pipe descaling starting at $10 per foot once the section is accessible - access complexity like sheetrock or concrete can affect the total cost.
3. Step 3 - Measuring and Cutting the Liner: The liner is measured to the exact length and diameter of the section being repaired - typically 4-inch or 6-inch pipe for residential and light commercial lines - so it fits snugly against the host pipe with no gaps.
4. Step 4 - Saturating the Liner with Resin: The felt or fiberglass liner is impregnated with the MaxLiner resin system under controlled conditions, so the resin is distributed evenly before installation begins.
5. Step 5 - Inserting the Liner into the Host Pipe: The saturated liner is pulled or inverted into place inside the damaged pipe, then expanded with air or water pressure so it presses firmly against the interior walls of the old pipe.
6. Step 6 - Curing the Liner in Place: Once positioned, the liner is cured until it hardens into a rigid, jointless pipe wall inside the original one. This is the step that gives CIPP its name - the new pipe cures in place, inside the old.
7. Step 7 - Final Camera Inspection: After curing, we run the camera through the line again to verify the liner has bonded properly, lateral connections are clear, and the repaired section is fully functional before we consider the job complete.

How Long a CIPP Job Takes

What CIPP Costs in the Augusta Area

Pricing for CIPP lining depends on pipe diameter, since a wider pipe requires more liner material and resin. Every job starts with a free estimate and a firm quote before work begins.

The Warranty Behind the Work

When CIPP Is - and Isn’t - the Right Fix

CIPP lining works well on pipes with cracks, corrosion, minor root intrusion, or small offset joints, where the pipe’s basic shape and alignment are still intact. It is not the right tool for a pipe that has fully collapsed, is severely misaligned, or is missing sections entirely - those situations usually call for excavation instead. Because trenchless sewer repair and sewer line repair cover several different methods, part of our job during the estimate is telling you honestly whether CIPP, epoxy pipe coating, descaling, or excavation fits your specific pipe.