Building integrity, sealed for good — Florida tightens Code to end pipe ‘gapping’ once and for all.
The Florida Plumbing Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) voted this week to strengthen the State’s Building Code to clarify a technical definition that certain contractors have exploited to use a flawed and non-compliant pipe repair method known as CIPP “gapping.”
This ruling confirms that only continuous cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) installations — with no “gaps” left at branch or service connections — meet Florida Building Code standards. The decision will protect future condominium and commercial property owners who choose to use CIPP as a cost-effective rehabilitation solution but will also give support to legal warranty claims by thousands of Florida property owners who are being identified as CIPP “gapping” victims suffering from premature pipe failures and water damage caused by the CIPP “gapping” installation shortcut.
The “gapping method” involves leaving unlined sections of aged, corroded pipe where branch lines connect, rather than creating a fully sealed, continuous liner. Over time, these gaps can cause leaks, blockages, and hidden structural damage — leaving owners with expensive repair bills for work they previously paid to rehabilitate.
“This ruling finally makes it clear that only continuous CIPP installations that follow ASTM standards are acceptable in Florida,” said Michael Wilson, founder of Pipelining Technologies, Inc. (PTI). “It’s a major win for Florida property owners and for the Code-compliant contractors who have been doing the work the correct way.”
Wilson and PTI have led this fight for over a decade. In 2015, Wilson secured a Declaratory Statement[1] from the State affirming that continuous CIPP was the only code-compliant method, requiring a permit to ensure proper inspection oversight and consumer protection. Still, inconsistent enforcement allowed some contractors to continue using shortcuts, leaving many property owners vulnerable. The TAC’s recent vote puts an end to that. It ensures that any CIPP system showing material gaps during a final video inspection will automatically fail — giving building officials statewide a clear and straightforward way to enforce the Code and prevent future consumer exploitation.
This update also aligns with the State’s ongoing SB 4-D Structural Integrity Reserve Studies (SIRS), which are uncovering the actual costs of improper repairs in aging condominiums and commercial buildings. In the future, any rehabilitation or replacement costs linked to victims of deficient “gapped” CIPP installations[2] must be included in reserve budgets — helping owners plan responsibly and avoid unexpected expenses.
References
- ^ Declaratory Statement (pipelt.sharepoint.com)
- ^ victims of deficient “gapped” CIPP installations (youtu.be)