Internal Pipe Coating
Proper pipeline maintenance is crucial to the success of your pipeline system. Not only should pipeline maintenance be beneficial to your pipe’s functionality, but it should also be cost-effective.
Let’s say your pipes are tuberculated, which has severely restricted your water flow. One option you might consider is replacing your pipes. While replacing your pipes is a surefire solution, it can be costly. Additionally, you will likely encounter the same issue in these new pipes.
So, how can you maintain your pipes without needing to replace them? Through preventative measures like internal pipe coating, you can avoid emergency pipeline replacement jobs that take weeks to complete
Keep reading to learn more about internal pipe coating, who benefits from it and how American Pipeline Solutions can help.
What Is Pipe Coating?
Pipe coating is the application of a protective material to the surface of a pipe to reduce corrosion, wear, and long-term deterioration.
In practice, the term can refer to either the inside or the outside of the pipe. Some coating systems are designed to protect the exterior of buried or exposed lines from environmental conditions. Others are applied to the interior of the pipe to restore a smoother bore, reduce internal corrosion, and improve flow performance.
For owners researching rehabilitation options, that distinction matters. The most important question is not just whether a pipe can be coated. It is whether the problem is happening inside the pipe, outside the pipe, or both.
AMERICAN PIPELINE SOLUTIONS’ INTERNAL PIPE COATING PROCESS
Before coating a pipe, American Pipeline Solutions must first determine if the project is feasible. This is done by performing a visual inspection of the pipeline. The results of this inspection tell the APS team what issue your pipeline is facing, such as tuberculation. Additionally, this helps APS with the next step, which involves cleaning your pipeline.
Cleaning the pipeline helps to prepare it for coating. This step can involve flushing the pipeline to remove any debris within it. If your pipeline is tuberculated, for example, then APS would use the proper descaling processes to ensure the pipeline is clean.
Once the pipeline has been completely cleaned, it must dry. After the pipeline has dried, it is ready for coating.
Using the Picote technology, APS applies anywhere from 3 to 6 coats of the epoxy coating. The number of coats your pipe requires will depend on the size of your pipeline. The larger the pipe, the more coats are recommended for the best results.
After the coating process is complete, the pipeline is left to dry for 48 hours. Once the coating is dry, the pipeline is ready to be placed back into use.
APS responded to a call for a failed fire flow test. The condominium complex had a heavy tuberculated pipe, and therefore not getting the pressure they needed for their fire suppression system. APS was able to clean the line with limited access and limited water service interruption. After the completion of the project, the flow rate increased by 290%! This is a great solution for pipes with low flow caused by heavy tuberculation.
Real-World Results: Fire Flow Test Restoration
APS responded to a failed fire flow test at a condominium complex. Heavy tuberculation had severely restricted the pressure needed for the fire suppression system. APS performed pipe cleaning with limited access and minimal water service interruption. After completing the project, the flow rate increased by 290%. This case highlights the effectiveness of coating for pipes with low flow caused by severe tuberculation.
WHAT IS INTERNAL PIPE COATING?
Internal pipe coating is the process of spraying an epoxy material to the pipe’s interior using Picote technology. The main differences between internal pipe coating and replacing your pipes are cost and project scope. The cost of coating your pipes is less than the cost of replacing them.
This cost difference is partly due to the scope of each solution. When replacing your pipes, you’ll need to dig up your old pipes, which takes time, especially when digging through sidewalks, concrete and other material. Digging up your pipes also results in a much longer shutdown period for your water. Additionally, replacing your pipes will tend to provide the short-term solution you seek. Your new pipes aren’t damaged, but they can become so over time because you have no preventative measures in place.
In comparison, the process of coating your pipes will only take a few days to complete. Plus, the epoxy coating we use helps prevent damage to a pipe’s interior. It is also NSF-61 approved, the same standard that NASA uses on their water mains. As a result, your pipes can last for another 30-50 years. During that same time, a new pipeline can become damaged or clogged, just like your previous pipeline did. So, the most efficient solution would be to coat your pipes because it costs less and helps prevent future damage.
What Is Epoxy Pipe Lining?
Epoxy pipe lining refers to the rehabilitation of an existing pipe by applying an epoxy barrier to the pipe interior.
In many cases, epoxy pipe lining and epoxy pipe coating are used to describe the same general solution. The difference is often in how people talk about the work. “Lining” usually refers to the interior rehabilitation of the pipe, while “coating” may be used more broadly to describe the material or the application process.
For practical purposes, APS’s internal epoxy service functions as an epoxy pipe lining solution. It rehabilitates the inside of the existing line and helps restore usable performance without opening long trench lines or replacing the full pipe run.
WHAT TYPES OF PIPES & PIPELINES CAN BE COATED?
All types of pipeline material can be coated. Examples of these pipelines include:
PVC, which must be sanded first to ensure that the epoxy coating will stick to the pipe’s interior.
Cast iron
Ductile iron
Steel
PVC
HDPE
Additionally, American Pipeline Solutions can coat different types of pipeline systems, which include:
Water lines
Fire lines
Sewer lines
Drain lines
Clarifier drains
Feed pipes
Grease traps
This is by no means an exhaustive list. Customers are welcome to contact the APS team to determine if pipe coating is the best choice for their pipelines.
WHO NEEDS INTERNAL PIPE COATING?
American Pipeline Solution helps various types of buildings and businesses protect their pipelines with internal pipe coating. These building types include:
Apartments
Hospitals
Schools
Office buildings
Condominiums
Multifamily residential buildings
Why Internal Pipe Coating Is a Smart Investment
Preventative pipe rehabilitation with internal coating delivers significant value by:
Restoring hydraulic capacity and reducing pressure loss
Preventing corrosion and tuberculation from recurring
Avoiding excavation, concrete repair, and long service interruptions
Providing a durable, NSF-61 certified epoxy barrier
Extending pipe lifespan by up to 50 year
Pipeline Inspection and Diagnostics: Ensuring Long-Term Coating Success
Before applying any coating, we conduct a comprehensive pipe inspection, including pressure pipe diagnostics and video condition assessments. This ensures that the pipeline interior is appropriate for coating and helps detect hidden issues such as hairline cracks or early corrosion that could undermine coating integrity.
We also offer post-coating inspections, including pressure testing and video analysis, to verify coating performance and pipeline condition.
Industrial Pipe Coating Solutions
In addition to municipal and commercial pipelines, APS handles industrial pipeline coating projects. Whether for food processing, manufacturing, or HVAC systems, we tailor our epoxy solutions to meet industrial pressure and longevity requirements.
If you’re searching for pipe coating services or wondering whether internal coating is the right fit for your system, American Pipeline Solutions can help. We combine advanced pipeline inspection and pressure pipe diagnostics with high-performance epoxy coating to deliver long-lasting solutions.
When Pipe Coating Is A Better Option Than Replacement
Replacement is not always the most practical answer.
In many buildings, facilities, and buried systems, excavation or full pipe replacement can create major disruption. Access may be limited. Walls, floors, pavement, landscaping, or finished spaces may need to be opened and restored. Service interruptions can also become a significant part of the total project cost.
When the existing pipe is still a suitable structural candidate, internal coating may be the better option because it can:
reduce excavation and restoration work
shorten project timelines
minimize disruption to occupants or operations
restore flow without removing the full pipe run
The right solution depends on the condition of the line. That is why APS starts with inspection and feasibility review rather than assuming every pipe should be coated.
Epoxy Pipe Coating vs Epoxy Pipe Lining
Many property owners and facility managers search these terms as if they are different services. In most real-world rehabilitation projects, they overlap.
Epoxy pipe coating usually describes the protective epoxy material and the process of applying it. Epoxy pipe lining usually emphasizes the finished internal barrier that remains inside the pipe after rehabilitation.
The important point is not the wording. The important point is the function. In both cases, the goal is to create a durable internal surface that helps protect the host pipe and improve system performance.
For APS, the focus is on the inside of the line where flow loss, tuberculation, and internal corrosion are affecting results.
Internal vs External Pipe Coatings
Not all pipe coating systems solve the same problem.
Internal Pipe Coatings
Internal coatings are applied to the inside of the pipe. They are used to address internal corrosion, buildup, reduced flow, and rough pipe walls. They can also improve hydraulic performance by creating a smoother flow path.
This is the core service APS provides.
External Pipe Coatings
External coatings protect the outside of the pipe from surrounding soil conditions, moisture, impact, and other environmental exposures. These systems are commonly used for buried pipelines, exposed industrial lines, and corrosion protection in aggressive environments.
Which One Does APS Focus On?
APS focuses on internal pipe coating and epoxy pipe lining services. Our work is centered on restoring and protecting the inside of existing pipelines, especially where tuberculation, internal corrosion, and flow restriction are already affecting operation.
FAQs:
What is internal pipe coating and how does it work?
Internal pipe coating is a rehabilitation method where a high-performance epoxy is sprayed onto the inside of an existing pipeline. APS first inspects, cleans, and dries the line, then uses Picote technology to apply 3–6 coats of NSF-61 approved epoxy. Once the coating cures, it forms a smooth, protective barrier that restores flow and helps prevent future corrosion and tuberculation.
What is epoxy pipe coating?
Epoxy pipe coating is an internal protective system that bonds to the inside of a pipe to help reduce corrosion, improve flow, and protect the host pipe.
How is internal pipe coating different from replacing pipes?
Pipe replacement usually requires excavation through concrete, soil, and structures, creating long shutdowns and high restoration costs. Internal pipe coating is a trenchless approach carried out inside the existing line. APS can clean, dry, and coat a pipeline in a few days, restoring hydraulic capacity and extending service life by decades—often at a fraction of the cost and disruption of full replacement.
What types of pipes can be internally coated?
APS can coat most common pipeline materials, including cast iron, ductile iron, steel, PVC, and HDPE. PVC typically needs to be sanded first to help the epoxy bond to the interior surface. Whether you’re dealing with aging metallic mains or plastic service lines, internal coating can provide a durable, protective barrier when the host pipe is still structurally sound.
What is the difference between pipe coating and pipe lining?
Pipe lining usually refers to the inside of the pipe, while coating can be used more broadly. In internal rehabilitation projects, the terms often overlap.
What is the difference between internal and external pipe coatings?
Internal coatings protect the inside of the pipe and help improve flow and corrosion resistance. External coatings protect the outside of the pipe from environmental exposure and external corrosion.
How long does epoxy pipe coating last?
When the host pipe is a good candidate and the process is done correctly, internal epoxy coating can provide long-term performance and may last 30 to 50 years.
Which pipeline systems benefit most from internal pipe coating?
Internal coating is especially effective for pipelines suffering from internal corrosion, tuberculation, or chronic low flow. APS frequently coats water lines, fire lines, sewer lines, drain lines, clarifier drains, feed pipes, and grease trap lines. Any system where deposits and corrosion are restricting flow, reducing pressure, or threatening service reliability can be a strong candidate for epoxy coating.
Is the epoxy coating safe for drinking water and long-term use?
Yes. APS uses an NSF-61 approved epoxy—the same standard NASA uses on its water mains—which is tested for use in potable water systems. When applied over a properly cleaned and dried interior, the coating provides a durable, stable barrier that can extend the useful life of the pipeline by 30–50 years while helping protect water quality and internal surfaces.
What is APS’s process for internal pipe coating?
APS starts with a visual and video inspection to confirm that coating is feasible and to identify issues such as tuberculation or early corrosion. The line is then cleaned, flushed, and dried to prepare the surface. Using Picote technology, APS applies 3–6 coats of epoxy, with the number of coats based on pipe size. After a 48-hour cure, the pipeline can be returned to service.
How much downtime should I expect with internal pipe coating?
Internal pipe coating is designed to minimize service interruption compared to full replacement. While timelines vary by length, diameter, and access, many projects can be cleaned, coated, and cured within a few days. Because there is no large-scale excavation, APS can often maintain limited service or schedule work to reduce disruption for tenants, residents, or facility operations.
Can internal pipe coating fix low flow and failed fire flow tests?
Yes—when low flow is caused by internal buildup and tuberculation rather than structural collapse. In one condominium project, APS cleaned and coated a heavily tuberculated fire line that had failed a fire flow test. With limited access and minimal water interruption, the team restored the line, increasing the flow rate by 290% and bringing the fire suppression system back into compliance.
Who typically uses internal pipe coating services from APS?
APS works with a wide range of property types, including apartments, condominiums, multifamily buildings, hospitals, schools, and office complexes. These facilities often face aging pipelines beneath finished surfaces, where excavation is costly and disruptive. Internal pipe coating allows owners and managers to rehabilitate critical water, fire, and drain lines while keeping buildings operational and occupants safe.
How does APS make sure a pipeline is a good candidate for coating?
Before recommending internal coating, APS performs detailed pipeline inspection and pressure pipe diagnostics. This can include visual and video assessments to check for structural integrity, cracks, and severe defects. If the host pipe is sound enough to support a bonded epoxy layer, APS proceeds with cleaning and coating. If not, the team will discuss alternatives, including replacement or targeted repairs.
