project
impregnated with epoxy. Once these liners are
in place an internal bladder inflates and pushes
the epoxy-filled liner to the inside diameter
of the pipe until it cures. After some time, the
bladder is extracted, leaving a new pipe within
the old one. The procedure has rightly been
likened to putting a stent into an artery.
Both the city and the restoration team were
blown away by the impact of the technology.
This complex project was finished on time
and saved the city millions in traditional
replacements, resultant damage costs, and
potential water losses.
The city, the engineers, and project
management team are now turning to
trenchless technologies, as they are safer,
37
faster, and more cost-effective than traditional
replacement. Water Damage Services installs
these systems on residential, industrial,
commercial, and marine applications nationwide.
Finding the leaks and
technology used
On pressurised piping — that is, all copper
pipes / fire suppression / general water
reticulation — tracer gas and acoustic
technology were used, as well as thermal
imaging to determine the leaks within the walls,
floors, and ceilings.
On non-pressurised piping — that is, storm
water and drainage — CCTV inspection units
Continued on page 39 >>
Installing the bladder through the impregnated liner.
www.plumbingafrica.co.za
July 2017 Volume 23 I Number 5