Originally Posted By: Curaflo of DFW
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
The application of Epoxy to water mains, piping, and plumbing systems was pioneered in Japan some 40-years ago for the lining of industrial process pipes. The process quickly gained acceptance around the world for use on all kinds of industrial process applications. Steel, iron, copper, and even stainless steel pipe and storage tanks are now routinely protected from the harshest chemicals and the softest of waters through Epoxy Lining. Over the years, pipe lining has evolved and taken on many forms. Today, water purveyors around the world regularly use Epoxy Lining to upgrade reservoirs and water mains, preventing corrosion, and stopping leaks while ensuring water quality. The introduction of this technology to the domestic plumbing market has met with varied reactions. Residents often express concerns for preserving the quality of their drinking water and are looking for assurances regarding the long-term durability of their Water Delivery Systems.
While residents and owners are always attracted to the convenience and cost savings the lining system offers, they are also realizing that Epoxy Lining upgrades their water quality to NSF-61 standards. It also gives them longer-term durability that they can?t get from new copper or galvanized pipes. Time trial testings have indicated a 50 to 100-year lifecycle for lined copper and galvanized pipes. Water purveyors now commonly choose Epoxy Lining of water mains over all other means of water main protection, upgrading and life extension, citing the reduced risk of leachate contaminating the water and longer-term durability as their reasons for choosing Epoxy Lining. While their expectations of over 100 years are perhaps a little overly enthusiastic (only supported though time trial testing), a 50 to 75 year life expectancy is a reasonable expectation in city water mains and a 30 to 50 year life expectancy in building plumbing systems.
The best infield plumbing installation testing occurred in Germany where the very first small diameter (in building) copper and galvanized plumbing systems were lined 1984. Revisiting some of the originally lined buildings is an ongoing process offering opportunities to certify the long-term durability of this Epoxy Lining process.
There has been extensive testing and use of epoxy pipe lining done by the US military. Please see:
http://www.innerlinetech.com/military.html for the military documents. We provide this process in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
