Composites tackle the problem of in-ground pipe corrosion

Composites have become prominent in many industries due to their high corrosion resistance. In the past three years especially, composite pipe liners have emerged as a fix for the corroding in-ground water and sewer pipes across the United States.

The benefits of using composite pipe liners to fix in-ground pipe corrosion

All across the country, metal in-ground pipes that carry water, storm runoff and sewage are coming to the end of their useful life and giving in to corrosion. For this reason, many areas of the country are experiencing an unprecedented number of in-ground pipe leaks. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for instance, counted 240,000 water main breaks across the United States in 2015 alone. It also warns that they only expect this number to rise unless the problem of pipe corrosion is addressed.

So what can local governments do to tackle this problem that’s projected to cost more than $1 trillion over the next 25 years? One cost-effective solution that has emerged to address in-ground pipe corrosion is composite cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) and composite pipe liners. These solutions are becoming a cost-slashing alternative to traditional invasive pipe laying and repairing practices.

The biggest benefit of these two composite options is that they offer superior corrosion resistance compared to the metal pipes they repair or replace. This resistance means that the composite pipe options offer extended service lives for existing pipes as well as longer service life and lower maintenance costs to new pipe systems. Another significant cost benefit of these two composite options is that they don’t require any digging to repair or replace existing pipes. The installation of these options can actually be performed entirely underground without digging up streets, sidewalks or yards. This fact helps installers save large amounts of money on the excavation and filling costs that were attached to former in-ground pipe laying practices.

Thanks to the benefits offered by composite pipe liners and CIPP, there is hope that the in-ground pipe infrastructure can be rehabilitated before it collapses totally. Today, over 52 percent of cities prefer these composite options, and about 25 percent of new pipe infrastructure projects are using composites. The significant corrosion resistance and other benefits that composites offer mean these numbers will likely continue to climb in the years to come.

Composites One leads North America in composite materials distribution

If your business manufactures composite pipe or pipe liners, then the upward trend in the use of these products means good things for your company. However, in order to take full advantage of this increased demand, you’ll need a steady and reliable source of composite materials for your products.

Composites One is here to help you obtain all the composite supplies you require. We have thousands of composite materials in stock from hundreds of the industy’s leading suppliers. Our distribution network is also second to none and includes 41 distribution centers located across the United States and Canada.

To find out more about all the composite materials and services we offer, contact the team at Composites One today.