Relining

What relining is

Relining (pipe lining) means refurbishing the old drain pipes from the inside instead of replacing them. The pipes are cleaned, then reinforced internally with a plastic material, usually a liner that is pulled into the pipe and cured against the pipe wall so a new pipe forms inside the old one. It is the most common alternative to a full stambyte (a complete replacement of the pipe system).

Why it matters for you as a buyer

Relining is often cheaper and far less disruptive than a stambyte. It needs no demolition, so bathrooms and kitchens can usually stay untouched and residents avoid much of the upheaval. The method can postpone a stambyte for many years. It is used mostly in multi-family housing but also works in a villa (detached house). Keep in mind, though, that relining is not automatically equal to a brand-new pipe. How long it lasts depends a lot on how well the work was done: the condition of the pipes to begin with, the method chosen, and the craftsmanship.

What you can check

Ask whether relining has been done, when, and by whom. The most important thing is whether certified material was used (RISE-certified or P-marked) and whether the contractor followed a documented quality programme. Certified material should have an expected lifespan of at least 50 years, the same requirement as for a new plastic pipe, but that is a material requirement and not a guarantee of how long this particular relining will last in practice. Industry figures tend to land in the range of 30-50 years, with wide variation, against roughly 50-60 years for a well-executed stambyte in modern plastic. If certification and documentation are missing, it is reasonable to ask for more evidence before you rely on the pipes.