Fear vs. Fact: The Truth Behind Health and Environmental Concerns for CIPP Repairs
CIPP repairs are known for their speed, efficiency, and success. But these repairs aren’t always seen in a positive light. A quick search reveals that many people believe CIPP is hazardous to both humans and the environment.
While it may seem like there are plenty of stories to back this up, CIPP is not as risky as the news reports would have you believe. And if you’re ready to battle false perceptions so you can grow your business, this is your comprehensive field guide for responding to the concerns people might have about CIPP’s ability to provide safe, environmentally friendly repairs.
Fear vs. Fact: Understanding the Health Risks of CIPP Repair
News sources have caused panic over CIPP repairs for decades. But the truth behind all the panic is that almost all CIPP repairs are safe for both residents and the environment—when installers take the right precautions.
With the proper protocols in place, CIPP lining provides a minimally invasive alternative to trenching, a less wasteful option over replacement, and a more eco-friendly repair than most conventional approaches.
The 5 CIPP Repair Health Concerns You Should Know About
Your potential customers might be nervous about the health risks associated with CIPP repairs, but your installers can help ease their concerns when you know more about these risks.
1. Chemical Exposure
Most news articles attacking CIPP repairs focus on chemical exposure concerns. There’s good reason for this concern on paper: volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are part of the CIPP curing process. But in practice, VOCs are only risks when site preparation is neglected.
Who’s At Risk? Installers, residents, general public
How Risky Is It? 5/10 — concerning, but can be mitigated effectively
What Can Installers Do? Take proactive steps to provide adequate site ventilation, safe venting practices, and caution residents and the general public about potential exposure and hazardous areas during installation.
The biggest risk for chemical exposure is during curing, when VOCs are released in the highest concentrations. People exposed to VOCs could experience skin and eye irritation, breathing difficulties, and headaches. Enclosed spaces, including small rooms, may pose a higher risk.
For large-scale CIPP repairs, exterior venting structures should be marked so that the general public can avoid these areas during curing.
2. Airborne Particulate Matter
The finishing and reinstatement process for CIPP repairs presents concerns over airborne particulate matter, which can cause throat, nose, lung, and eye issues. This particulate matter comes from cutting and finishing the terminals and junctions of newly lined pipes.
Who’s At Risk? Installers, general public
How Risky Is It? 3/10 — only concerning in large-scale repairs, but easily mitigated
What Can Installers Do? Wear proper PPE on site, and notify the general public about potential hazards near venting structures.
While there is some risk involved, airborne particulate matter is minimal in smaller CIPP repair work like residential sewer repairs. Venting structures for larger projects could carry particulate matter, so site prep is important. Mark off the area so that the general public is aware of the risks and can maintain a safe distance from the vents.
3. Off-Gassing During Curing
Off-gassing can be dangerous, especially in tight spaces. Again, your ventilation protocol is critical to maintaining a safe environment.
Who’s At Risk? Installers, residents, general public
How Risky Is It? 7/10 — without appropriate measures, individuals could experience serious health risks
What Can Installers Do? Always prepare your work site and any venting locations to provide a well-ventilated work space and a tall enough venting structure to push dangerous byproducts away from the general public.
Curing is a chemical reaction, so the “steam” that comes out of venting structures can be dangerous when not treated with respect. Large-scale repairs are even more risky because of the volume of these chemicals created during the process.
4. Potable Water Contamination
Another big concern voiced when considering CIPP repairs is contamination of drinking water. If liners are improperly cured, or if excess resin is disposed of improperly, water supplies can be in danger. And that has far-reaching effects, especially in urban and suburban areas. Resins can cause big problems in water treatment systems since those systems are designed to eliminate a completely different kind of waste. And it could lead to widespread contamination of potable water supplies as the chemicals pass through the purification systems unmitigated.
Who’s At Risk? General public
How Risky Is It? 4/10 — concerning, but rare when proper practices are in place
What Can Installers Do? Measure resin properly for each project, dispose of excess resin appropriately (no sewers or storm drains), and ensure complete curing with proven SOPs.
When installers are following stringent protocols and standard operating procedures, potable water contamination is a relatively low concern.
5. Contamination Concerns
Beyond potable water contamination, CIPP repair comes with soil contamination concerns. Chemicals and plastics are hot-button topics for consumers today, so CIPP seems like a hard pass at first. Ground contamination, while uncommon, can result in issues with soil health and potential dangers to lawns, pets, and people.
Who’s At Risk? General public
How Risky Is It? 2/10 — most environmental concerns are unfounded or exaggerated
What Can Installers Do? Educate customers on the processes and benefits of CIPP repairs in terms of environmental impact, and ensure your processes prioritize safe use and disposal of hazardous materials. You can also leverage new processes with fewer environmental risks.
The only time CIPP repairs threaten the environment through ground contamination or off-gassing is when installers don’t follow processes properly. Proper disposal of excess resin and management of curing byproducts eliminates these concerns quickly. And when curing is done properly, potable water supplies remain safe to use immediately after reinstatement.
Spotlight: Understanding Styrene in CIPP Repair
Styrene has become a buzzword in trenchless pipe repair. This chemical is a necessary byproduct of most CIPP resins that comes from the curing process. Exposure in high concentrations carries health risks like difficulty breathing, skin and eye irritation, and dizziness.
Who’s At Risk? Installers, residents, general public
How Risky Is It? 5/10 — serious concern in higher concentrations, but curing and mitigation efforts can eliminate most of the risks
What Can Installers Do? Ventilation is critical to reducing exposure. Shorter curing processes can also reduce styrene production.
There are styrene-free resins on the market today, but some of these alternatives provide less chemical resistance and strength than conventional resins. Different curing processes can also reduce styrene exposure. Since styrene is released while the resins cure and then is trapped once they are fully cured, slower methods like ambient cures produce more styrene by volume. Installers can switch to faster curing methods to reduce styrene release.
Is CIPP More Environmentally Sustainable Than Conventional Methods?
News reports might raise concerns over health, but they often miss one of the most significant benefits of CIPP: its environmental impact.
While plastics and chemicals have a bad reputation in green initiatives, CIPP has many advantages over conventional repair and replacement methods.
Carbon Footprint Advantages
One of the invisible carbon costs is equipment and fuel use. And conventional approaches to pipe repair inherently carry a much higher carbon cost than CIPP repairs:
Less heavy equipment = reduced emissions
Faster completion times = less travel
No new pipe fabrication or transport needed
Minimally Invasive Approach
Rather than digging up landscaping, infrastructure, and property, CIPP repair leaves work areas nearly intact. And that translates to a lower carbon footprint over the whole repair process:
No road, landscape, or concrete rehabilitation
Preserved ecosystems and infrastructure
Above-ground structures remain intact
Waste Reduction Benefits
Conventional repairs create waste that has to be dealt with after the repairs are completed. Whether it’s old materials, landscaping and vegetation, or disposable tools and equipment, these repairs put a burden on the environment that CIPP repairs don’t:
No removal and disposal of old materials
Precise measurements for each project for less wasted materials
Reusable excess materials with UV curing systems
Less rehabilitation needs for surrounding areas
Protecting Everyone: Practical Safety Measures
CIPP-related health concerns are no joke, but with the right preparation, education, and training, both your teams and your customers can feel safe during and after CIPP repairs.
Keeping Your Customers Safe and Confident
If you want to secure new business, start before any installation begins, and always take the right precautions during repairs.
Setting the Stage for CIPP Repairs
Educate: let your customers know what they can expect before, during, and after installation, including any safety precautions they should take.
Prepare: property owners should know what to expect for residential properties, commercial and retail spaces, and corporate offices so they can prepare their tenants and visitors.
Communication: transparency builds trust, so always be honest about what people may experience during CIPP repairs. Explain odors, equipment needs, space requirements, and potential disruptions prior to and throughout the repair process.
On-Site Protection Measures
Containment: have ventilation and mitigation equipment and techniques ready from the beginning of the repair process to ensure minimal exposure.
Planning: time your repairs for the least disruption possible. Off-peak hours help reduce downtime and frustration for property owners and/or residents.
Flexibility: low-VOC and styrene-free resin options can reduce concerns and improve relationships with your customers. Be ready to offer alternatives to your preferred products, and have your teams trained to adjust quickly and without confusion if customers request different approaches.
Protecting Your Team
Step One for CIPP repair safety is educating your customers. Step Two is protecting your employees. Since installers have a greater risk of exposure to high concentrations of VOCs released during CIPP curing, they’ll need to take more precautions to stay safe.
Essential Safety Equipment
Your teams need to keep eyes, lungs, and skin safe from prolonged exposure to resins, both before and during the curing process. Each team member needs:
Safety glasses or goggles to protect against chemical and particulate exposure
N95 masks to keep airways safe
Gloves that can handle exposure to various resins
Environmental Controls
Team members must have a safe working environment, including air quality control measures. Have these pieces in place:
Ventilation system for small/enclosed spaces
Vapor towers for larger projects
Real-time air monitoring to protect installers
Training and Awareness
Physical safety measures must be paired with proper training and protocols. Remember to:
Teach your teams to recognize risks and symptoms
Prepare strategies to prevent dangerous exposure levels
Advanced Safety: Curing Methods That Reduce Risk
Taking proper precautions for both teams and property owners is important for all installations, but changing your methods could reduce their risks significantly. If your teams focus on ambient curing methods, you may want to consider other options.
Hot Water Curing Considerations
Hot water curing can cut installation times by several hours, and it provides a more stable and predictable process than ambient curing. The hot water provides a constant temperature for the liner, often around 120°F, allowing the resin to cure completely in less time and with less styrene release. It also reduces the occurrence of partially cured sections of resin.
Hot water curing does require proper disposal of cure water. Cure water cannot be disposed of in potable water supplies or in storm drains since it contains dissolved styrene and other chemicals. Water disposal can be an especially daunting task for large-scale CIPP repairs, including industrial and municipal pipelines.
Steam Cure Benefits
Moving to steam curing reduces styrene release, uses far less water, and cures faster than ambient and hot water methods. Working with steam can be more dangerous for installers, but proper training and high-quality equipment reduce risks.
UV Light Curing: The Safest Option
With no need for a water supply, a boiler system, or propane, UV curing offers a truly safe option for installers and property owners. There is little to no styrene exposure, no wastewater, and an almost-instant cure with less chance of soft spots in the liner. This is, however, the most expensive option for initial investments.
From Concerns to Competitive Advantages
Now that we’ve covered the risks and benefits of CIPP repair, it’s time to put this knowledge into action. Customer concerns don’t have to be roadblocks for your business. In fact, your ability to respond to them quickly and confidently could actually improve your business.
How Safety Focus Wins You More Business
Your customers might not know much about CIPP, but there’s a good chance they’ve heard the negatives more than the positives. This is your opportunity to meet these concerns head-on.
Your teams should have safety protocols at the ready, and that includes providing accurate information to potential customers. By positioning your company as a safety-conscious choice, you’ll provide peace of mind instead of doubts.
Building Customer Confidence
When your team leads step in front of customers, their expertise will win them more contracts. Keep your teams up-to-date on procedures, best practices, and safety precautions so that customers see your business as a market leader. You’ll get more new customers, and you’ll turn concerns into opportunities.
Training Investment Pays Off
This is where the rubber meets the road: preparation is the foundation of success, and quality training is your fastest route for team members to be prepared for anything that comes their way.
Find a CIPP supply company that provides flexible, custom-tailored training on the equipment you will be using in the field. Settling for cookie-cutter training could leave your teams unprepared, and that leads to more liability and insurance concerns. Invest in education, and you’ll reap a shining reputation.
Best Practices for Implementation
Let’s put it all together: how do you get your teams on board and on track with all these concerns, practices, and processes? We see three separate areas to develop:
Safe CIPP Practices
Materials and Methods
Ongoing Education and Training
1: Safe CIPP Practices
Before you start any CIPP repair, make sure you have:
Industry-leading equipment
Customized training for your teams
Established safety protocols and standard operating procedures
Thorough customer communication practices and materials
Choosing the Right Materials and Methods
Don’t rely on a single method or material for all your work. Instead, evaluate your choices for each job:
Resin options for various conditions, requirements, or uses
Curing methods based on climate, temperature, and property type
Cost, safety, and performance to provide quality work at the right price
Ongoing Safety Management
Your procedures and protocols need to be dynamic as advancements in technology occur. Remember to:
Invest in regular training updates
Schedule regular equipment maintenance and monitoring
Stay current with local, state, and national regulations
The Truth About CIPP Repairs
Your business is sitting on an incredible opportunity to provide a service that is both environmentally conscious and safe. But it will take the proper knowledge, equipment, and procedures to offer these qualities.
Be prepared to answer tough questions, alleviate concerns, and provide potential customers with proof that your trenchless repairs outperform conventional options as safer and greener alternatives. You’ll see faster growth when you position yourself as the safe choice in the market.
Partner with T3 Lining Supply for Safe, Successful CIPP Operations
The right pipe lining supply company can make all the difference in your company’s growth. And T3 Lining Supply knows how to help businesses grow:
Superior Equipment and Materials
We’re committed to providing the highest quality CIPP equipment and materials available today. We work with the most trusted brands in the industry, but we also have our own line of custom-configured equipment.
We also perform rigorous third-party testing on our materials to give our customers better benchmarks, cure times, and calculations. Our hard work turns into your benefit, allowing you to provide better warranties with confidence.
Unparalleled Training and Support
T3’s experts offer fully customized training sessions for your teams, and we can meet you anywhere you need! We can train your teams on our equipment, or we can train on the equipment you’ll be using in the field.
We also offer 24/7 live support with our experts. Our team will help you walk through any challenge, any time, no matter how many jobs you’ve done. No more automated messages, no more recordings, and no more high-and-dry moments in the middle of projects.
Ready to get started? Contact us today!
