What is epoxy pipe rehabilitation and how does it work?

Epoxy pipe rehabilitation is a trenchless method of restoring damaged or corroded pipes from the inside — without excavating the ground above. First, the pipe is mechanically cleaned using a high-speed chain cleaning machine (NoDig V8, V1 or Mini6) to remove all deposits and create a clean, profiled surface. Then a two-component (2K) epoxy coating — NoDig BSE — is applied to the inner pipe wall using a mechanical brush or pneumatic spray applicator (ProLight or ProLight2). The cured epoxy forms a new structural inner lining that seals the pipe, stops further corrosion and extends service life by 50+ years. The entire process requires only existing access points — no road breaking, no excavation.

What is the difference between brush coating and spray lining?

Brush coating uses a rotating brush head driven by the ProLight machine to physically spread two-component epoxy across the pipe wall in a controlled, uniform layer. It produces a thicker film and is particularly effective on heavily corroded or pitted surfaces where complete coverage is critical. Spray lining uses a pneumatic nozzle to atomise and spray BSE epoxy onto the pipe wall — it is faster and reaches complex geometries including bends, junctions and transitions more easily. NoDig's ProLight machine handles both methods using interchangeable applicator heads, and the BSE dual-colour epoxy provides visual confirmation of coverage regardless of which method is used.

Does epoxy pipe rehabilitation require excavation?

No — this is the core advantage of trenchless epoxy rehabilitation. NoDig's ProLight and ProLight2 machines are inserted through existing access points such as manholes, inspection chambers or cleanout openings. The BSE epoxy is applied from inside the pipe and cures in place. Once cured, the pipe returns to normal service. There is no need to break road surfaces, excavate trenches or disturb surrounding infrastructure. This makes trenchless epoxy rehabilitation significantly faster, less disruptive and more cost-effective than traditional pipe replacement in most urban and suburban environments.

What is the NoDig BSE dual-colour epoxy?

NoDig BSE (Brush and Spray Epoxy) is a two-component (2K) cartridge epoxy system developed specifically for trenchless pipe rehabilitation. Its key innovation is a dual-colour formulation: the base layer and topcoat are deliberately different colours. When working inside a pipe, this gives the operator real-time visual confirmation that the entire surface has been covered — missed spots or thin areas immediately show the previous colour. This eliminates incomplete coverage, ensures consistent film thickness and prevents early coating failure. BSE adheres to PVC, cast iron, concrete and steel, and is suitable for both sewer and potable water pipe rehabilitation.

How long does an epoxy lining last?

A properly applied two-component epoxy lining is expected to remain structurally effective for 50+ years under normal operating conditions. This service life depends on three key factors: thorough mechanical surface preparation before application (no residual scale or grease), correct mixing ratios and uniform application technique, and a complete cure before the pipe returns to service. NoDig BSE is formulated to combine high elasticity with hardness — a combination that resists the thermal expansion, mechanical stress and chemical exposure typical of sewer and water supply pipe environments. The dual-colour formulation helps ensure complete, consistent coverage — which is the single most important factor in preventing premature coating failure.

What is The Pipe Boy and when should I use it instead of ProLight?

The Pipe Boy is NoDig's industrial high-flow epoxy coating machine, designed for projects where higher throughput, longer reach or larger pipe diameters are required. Compared to the ProLight, The Pipe Boy delivers 370 g/min of two-component epoxy at full speed and covers diameters from DN50 to DN300 — significantly beyond ProLight's DN50–DN150 range. The hoses and epoxy are water-heated with automatic temperature control, ensuring consistent viscosity in all weather and seasonal conditions. A 50-metre high-pressure hose on a reel allows continuous coating of long pipeline sections without stopping. Remote control enables operation from outside the pipe for increased safety and precision. The Pipe Boy is the recommended choice for municipal infrastructure, industrial pipelines and projects involving larger diameters or extended pipeline runs. For compact residential or light commercial work up to DN150, the ProLight or ProLight2 remain the practical choice.

What are NoDig's working hours?

NoDig d.o.o. is available Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 16:00 CET. Contact by email at info@nodig.hr, by phone at +385 91 882 9860 (sales) or +385 91 618 6785 (technical support). The office is at Vukovarska 284, Osijek, Croatia.

What surface preparation is required before epoxy application?

Surface preparation is the most critical step in any epoxy pipe rehabilitation project. The pipe must first be mechanically cleaned using a high-speed chain cleaning machine — NoDig V8, V1 or Mini6, depending on diameter — to remove all mineral scale, grease, corrosion, root intrusions and loose material from the inner wall. After mechanical cleaning, the pipe must be dried completely: even minor residual moisture is the most common cause of coating delamination and premature failure. Only when the surface is clean, dry and profiled is it ready to receive BSE two-component epoxy through the ProLight, ProLight2 or The Pipe Boy system. Skipping or rushing surface preparation will significantly reduce the service life of the coating.

Epoxy Pipe Rehabilitation – Trenchless Spray Lining & Brush Coating

Epoxy Pipe
Rehabilitation
Systems

Restore corroded, leaking or degraded pipes from the inside — without breaking ground. NoDig's ProLight and BSE Spray Epoxy systems deliver structural pipe rehabilitation through brush coating and spray lining.

DN50–300

Pipe Range

Epoxy Technology

50+

Years Lining Lifespan

Excavation Required

The NoDig Rehabilitation Process

Four sequential steps from blocked or damaged pipe to fully rehabilitated, epoxy-lined infrastructure.

Mechanical Cleaning

High-speed chain cleaning with V8, V1 or Mini6 removes all deposits and corrosion, creating the surface profile required for epoxy adhesion.

Inspection & Drying

CCTV inspection confirms the pipe is clean and ready. The pipe interior must be fully dry before epoxy application.

Epoxy Application

ProLight, ProLight2 or The Pipe Boy applies BSE two-component epoxy via brush coating or spray lining. The dual-colour BSE material shows coverage in real time.

Cure & Return to Service

Epoxy cures at ambient temperature. After curing, the pipe is inspected and returned to service with a new structural inner lining.

ProLight, ProLight2, The Pipe Boy & BSE

Core Machine

ProLight

Fully pneumatic — no electrical power required on site. The standard NoDig epoxy rehabilitation machine.

Pipe diameterDN50 – DN150

DrivePneumatic

MethodBrush coating + Spray lining

Power requirementNo electricity needed

ProLight Details →

Double Press

ProLight2

Dual cartridge system — applies two BSE cartridges simultaneously for faster throughput on larger diameter pipes.

Pipe diameterUp to DN150

Cartridges2× simultaneous

DrivePneumatic

Efficiency vs ProLightupto 40% better flow

ProLight2 Details →

Consumable

BSE Epoxy

Two-component epoxy with dual-colour formulation for visual layer verification during application.

Type2K Epoxy (2-component)

Colour systemDual — layer visible

ApplicationBrush coat or spray

BSE Epoxy Details →

Industrial

The Pipe Boy

High-flow industrial coating machine for large-scale projects and larger pipe diameters up to DN300.

Pipe diameterDN50 – DN300

Flow rate370 g/min

Hose heatingWater-heated, auto temp.

Hose length50m HP on reel

ControlRemote control

The Pipe Boy Details →

Why Dual-Colour Epoxy Matters

The NoDig BSE system is not just a coating — it's a quality control tool built into the material itself. No guesswork about coverage. No missed spots.

👁️

Visual Layer Verification

Each coat is a different colour. The operator can see exactly where the second layer has been applied and verify full coverage in real time.

🔗

2K Chemistry — Structural Performance

Two-component epoxy achieves superior adhesion, chemical resistance and mechanical strength compared to single-component coatings.

💧

Potable Water Compliant

BSE meets European standards for use in potable water supply pipes, as well as sewer and drainage applications.

📦

Ready-to-Use Cartridge

Pre-portioned cartridges ensure correct mix ratio every time, eliminate waste and simplify field logistics.

Epoxy Pipe
Rehabilitation
Systems

The NoDig Rehabilitation Process

ProLight, ProLight2, The Pipe Boy & BSE

Why Dual-Colour Epoxy Matters

Technical Questions

Ready to spec your next rehabilitation project?

Epoxy PipeRehabilitationSystems

The NoDig Rehabilitation Process

ProLight, ProLight2, The Pipe Boy & BSE

Why Dual-Colour Epoxy Matters

Technical Questions

Ready to spec your next rehabilitation project?

Epoxy Pipe
Rehabilitation
Systems