Three efficient methods for trenchless piping rehabilitation

Address a sewer defect quickly and efficiently. Read on to find out about three trenchless methods for pipework rehabilitation that minimise difficulties during work.

Sewer defects can never be fully avoided. If they are becoming more frequent, it is probably time to act and remedy them. Common excavation methods often have multiple adverse environmental impacts, which is why using a trenchless rehabilitation method is a more suitable option. Which technology should you choose?

The common excavation needed for pipe refurbishment adversely affects traffic, the environment, and everyday life in towns and cities. This is why choosing a trenchless method is more convenient, because it means:

  • less inconvenience for citizens (traffic restrictions, noise, dust, etc.)
  • a minimal environmental impact
  • a reduced risk of damaging adjacent utility systems
  • lower cost and time savings
  • the complications normally associated with excavation are avoided.

Lining is one of the most popular methods for pipework rehabilitation. There are several subtypes of this method and the choice of an adequate technology depends on the performance parameters of the pipe and the type of defect.

Pipe inspection videos, information on the type and number of defects and the sewer’s hydraulic and design parameters all provide clues for selecting the best rehabilitation method.

Trenchless sewer restoration methods can, for example, repair:

  • leakage through socket joints, cracks, and generally damaged pipe walls
  • excessive clogging caused by corrosion inside the pipes
  • damage caused by roots growing into pipes
  • They can also prevent clogging if corrosion is detected.

What are the efficient methods of pipe rehabilitation and what are their specificities?

1. Pipe rehabilitation using an inverted sleeve method – a new plastic pipe within an old sewer

Inverted sleeve lining is a non-invasive rehabilitation method capable of repairing hundreds of metres of sewers at a time. The technology is based on inserting an inverted sleeve (turned ‘inside out’) into the pipe.

The sleeve is pushed into the pipe by pressurised water or air from an access point such as a manhole. The fabric sleeve cures by polymerisation, effectively creating an entirely new, hardened plastic pipe inside a damaged sewer. The process of installing the sleeve is quick and environmentally friendly.

The result of the rehabilitation is a strong and tight pipe with smooth walls that ensure an even wastewater flow.

Principal benefits of pipe rehabilitation using an inverted sleeve

  • The outer layer of the sleeve is covered with an impermeable PVC foil, guaranteeing that it remains airtight and protected during saturation, transport, and installation.
  • The liner adheres firmly to the pipe, copying its irregularities and resisting abrasion and chemicals.
  • The method addresses structural integrity issues associated with the piping and improves its hydraulic parameters. Alongside this, it improves its flow rate and seals it completely.
  • This method can be used in pipes made of cement, concrete, plastic, cast iron, and ceramics.

Using the INSAK method, we can restore pipes at a rate of up to 200 metres in six hours. We manufacture each sleeve to a precisely calculated thickness which conforms to the dimensions of a specific pipe.

Explore our certified INSAK process in detail.

2. Pipe rehabilitation using a sleeve method – a new self-supporting UV-cured pipe

Pipe rehabilitation using UV-cured sleeves is an extremely rapid method. The sleeve is impregnated with a polyester or vinyl ester resin and winched into the pipe.

The pipe is then filled with pressurised air and a chain of UV lamps is placed inside. Following this, the sleeve is closed and pressurised further to adhere to the existing pipe. The resin contained in the sleeve is cured using the UV lamps. As a result, an entirely new, self-supporting plastic pipe is created within an old sewer.

Principal benefits of pipe rehabilitation using a UV-cured sleeve

  • It provides a pipe with full structural integrity.
  • It improves the pipe’s hydraulic properties, increasing its flow rate and sealing it completely.
  • The cured liner is resistant to abrasion and chemicals.
  • It can extend a pipe’s service life by as much as 80 years.

We restore pipes using the UV Liner method, which allows us to progress at a pace of up to 500 metres per day. We manufacture each sleeve to precise parameters calculated according to the exact size of the specific pipe.

3. Local pipe restoration using a short sleeve

Pipe restoration using a short liner is primarily used to correct local cracks and missing shards of the sewer pipe. This method is suitable for localised and point repairs of sewers. The rehabilitation system uses a stainless sleeve and epoxy resin.

The sleeve is coated with the epoxy on the outside and inserted into the pipe. Using a pressurised air packer, the sleeve is then pressed onto the pipe wall – the interlocking segments lock in and the resin fills the cracks and bonds the sleeve to the existing pipe wall.

Principal benefits of pipe rehabilitation using stainless steel sleeves

  • Simple installation process
  • Long-lasting material

No construction chemicals