If you’re experiencing leaks, low water flow, discoloration or contamination in your home’s water supply, it’s likely your pipes are starting to fail. Luckily, there’s a better option than ripping out all those pipes — disturbing your home and yard in the process — and putting in new ones. That’s thanks to a relatively new technology called epoxy pipe lining.

Epoxy is a tough substance that can be applied to many surfaces. It’s often used in industrial applications, doing everything from embedding reinforcement bars in concrete to protecting factory floors. In plumbing, epoxy can be used to rehabilitate problem piping from the inside, adhering to the existing material. This can extend the lifespan of that piping for decades, saving you from having to replace an entire system. In fact, epoxy pipe lining can even make pipes more resistant to future corrosion and help them to work better.

There’s a reason that epoxy pipe lining has quickly become an important part of the plumbing industry, used by large facilities such as resorts, universities and hospitals — even federal government buildings. The method can be used on potable water lines, too, making it an important tool when it comes to making sure the water in your home is clean and safe to drink.

You should know that skill matters when it comes to the epoxy lining process. Improperly applied epoxy can fail to fix your plumbing problems or even make them worse, so having the right plumbing contractor is of the utmost importance. If you’re looking for epoxy pipe lining Chicago can be a confusing place to find a contractor, since the market can be a bit saturated. You’ll want to choose a plumbing company with years of experience, both in the plumbing industry in general and in using this technique more specifically. If done right, this is a maintenance task you won’t need to face for many years, so it’s worth investing in the best.