How Water Pipe Lining Is Saving Money, Time And Disruption

by

William Penworthy

The need for effective and economic water pipe lining is increasingly necessary, as many of the water pipes and sewage pipes in urban areas were laid during the 1950s and 1960s, and are now in need of repair. Water pipes and sewage pipes laid during the 50s and 60s had an expected life of no more than around fifty years, and so a large number of those pipes are now starting to need repair.

With so much demand and reliance on effective water supplies and sewage systems in built up urban areas, a leak, crack or contamination can be a serious problem. But in addition to the problems caused through broken pipes, there is also the problem of how to repair or re-lay the significant number of pipes threading throughout the underground world of cities and towns.

Digging up half the streets in every major town or city in order to disconnect water supplies and replace long stretches of pipe simply isnt a viable option. Utility companies are increasingly under pressure to find ways of repairing water pipes and sewage pipes using trenchless methods. Water pipe lining and sewer pipe linings are solutions which have enabled contractors to give existing pipes a new lease of life without disturbing the roads and byways above.

Since many of our urban areas have expanded, developed and been built up greatly since the 50s and 60s, accessing the pipes is a significant challenge. Its also important to consider the fact that the streets in the 50s and 60s were a good deal emptier and quieter than today. Blocking off half a road in the 50s to lay a pipe inconvenienced very few people. Today, blocking off the same half road could cause tailbacks, queues and severe problems for many people.

But how is it possible to lay a water pipe lining or sewer pipe linings without digging up the ground to access them? In fact, there are several trenchless solutions, all of which involve lining existing pipes without digging up the ground, except at two points – a starting point and a finishing point. These two bore holes are usually quite small, and cause very little inconvenience. By digging a bore hole down to the pipe at two points the lining can be applied on the entire length of pipe running between them.

Many of the existing water pipes and sewage pipes are concrete or clay based, and this means that the inner surface has eroded over time. With the pH of water, the water pressure, variability of water pressure, the temperature of the water and even the chemical composition of the water all contributing towards natural deterioration of the inside of the pipe, one of the best ways of lining the pipes is to use PE, or Polyethylene pipes which offer a much more durable inner surface.

These linings slip inside the existing pipes, offering a snug fit that gives the water pipes or sewage pipes a new lease of life. But how do you insert several yards of water pipe lining into an existing pipe that may be several feet underground?

One of the simplest methods is to use a machine which can be remotely guided, and which is dropped into the existing tube through a bore hole, and which pushes its way along the tube, drawing the pipe lining in behind it. Once it reaches the second bore hole, the pipe lining is detached, and the water pipe has now been lined – all within the space of a few minutes, with no disruption to the road, rail line or pathway above.

In some cases the water pipe lining may be fixed to the inner wall of the pipe by means of UV or ultraviolet light. This causes a chemical reaction that makes the PE tube mould and glue itself firmly to the walls of the existing pipe, creating a bonded seal that is even stronger.

Since digging a trench to re-lay or repair a water pipe or sewage pipe is a time-consuming task, it also represents a very costly aspect of the job. By avoiding digging any trench, not only is local inconvenience reduced to a minimum, but both the time and expense of repairing the pipe can be massively lowered. This means that more pipes can be fixed more quickly at less cost, helping to ensure that leaks and contamination are kept to a minimum.

Water pipe lining and sewage pipe linings are available in a number of materials, and there are several ways in which they can be applied. The exact method may depend upon the location and diameter of the pipe and the severity of the damage to the existing pipe. But whichever method is used, it will certainly prove less disruptive, safer, cheaper and quicker than any method which involves digging a large trench in the middle of an urban or industrial area.

water pipe lining

|

sewer pipe linings

| www.warriorworldwide.com

Article Source:

How Water Pipe Lining Is Saving Money, Time And Disruption}