Point repair
Point repair is a method used when only parts of the pipe is in need of repair.
When is point repair used?
Occasionally, pipes experience cracks, penetrating roots or movements in joints, which can lead to leakage. If the pipe is otherwise in order, you do not need to substitute the entire stretch. Usually, it will suffice to repair the leakage area through a so-called point repair. This solution is both faster and cheaper than digging up and replacing entire pipes, or to perform a pipe renewal without digging.
How is a point repair performed?
There are two ways to perform a point repair. One way entails closing the hole with the cylindrical construction QuickLock. The other one is point repair with an epoxy-saturated fiberglass cloth.
The QuickLock method
This method entails sealing the leakage area with a stainless steel cylinder with an external rubber coating. This, together with a packer, a technical blow-up device, is placed on a self-propelled camera tractor. It is introduced into the pipe, and we follow the movements from our pipe inspection vehicle. When the tractor has reached the right spot, the device is filled with air, pressing the QuickLock cylinder against the pipe wall. The cylinder locks into place and remains on top of the damage point. When the process is completed, the pipe is repaired.
The method can be used on all types of pipes. This method requires access to the pipe from a manhole.
Repair with fiberglass cloth
The other method repairs the damage point using an epoxy-saturated fiberglass cloth. The cloth is often made on location and can be adapted to the pipe damage at hand – both in length, dimension and strength. When this is prepared, it is brought to the point of damage with special equipment. A packer is inflated and presses the cloth against the point of damage. After a couple of hours, the saturated fiberglass cloth is hardened, and the damage is fixed.
This method can be used from internal stake hatches or a disassembled toilet. The method can be used on several types of pipes, but not PP and PE plastic pipes. Currently, there are no types of glue that stick to these.
