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NuFlow Is Only Solution for an HOA’s Leaking Pipes in Concrete

A luxury condo tower’s horizontal sewer drain lines, inconveniently encased in deep concrete in the ceiling of the parking garage, experienced chronic leaking. The property manager did not know what to do about these aged pipes because a traditional re-pipe would be impossible. He was relieved to learn about NuFlow’s trenchless, pull-in-place, structural lining – it proved to be the ideal solution.

 

Corrosion and old age caused the horizontal cast iron drain pipes in the condo’s parking garage to leak. Since the pipes pass through thick concrete slabs without protective sleeving, a traditional re-pipe was impossible. The horizontal sewer lines penetrate through 4- or 5-foot-thick concrete slabs in the walls and ceilings and consist of 3”, 4”, 6” and 8” diameters. All pipes are original and have been on the property since the condominium was built in 1970.

 

The customer was happy to hear that NuFlow had a solution to the unique problem that he otherwise could not solve. NuFlow was tasked to clean and line the leaking horizontal drain lines inside the condo’s parking garage and line the sewer system’s main line with our no-dig structural lining technology.

 

NuFlow rehabilitated the sewer pipes in the parking garage by using existing access points. The structural lining, installed with our patented trenchless technology, covers the cracks and is a long-term protective solution against future corrosion and leaks.

 

In addition, the building HOA decided to have NuFlow line the building’s 10” main line for preventative measures. This main line is located beneath the parking garage and common grounds, so NuFlow saved the customer from future headaches, expenses and destruction.

The job was performed without any major disruption to the tenants or the functioning of the parking garage.

 

NuFlow is proud to be the saving grace for this property and it’s residents. A challenging pipe location should not be a deterrent from getting the pipes rehabilitated. NuFlow has the technology to design the perfect solution for your building’s plumbing problems, whether your building is residential, commercial, industrial or municipal.

 

“Nu Flow was the most economically prudent and practical solution to a problem that could have cost thousands upon thousands of dollars.” – Mark T., Property Manager

NuFlow Repairs Drain Line for Restaurant in Time for Breakfast

Over time, ABS drain lines can succumb to shifting, which causes structural fractures and offsets. Conventional replacement of ABS lines can be very costly, especially when located beneath structural slabs and within facilities that have daily operational businesses. The solution to this in many cases is NuFlow’s patented structural in-situ trenchless solutions.

 

This 12-story, high traffic, high-rise office building is fully occupied. A restaurant located on the bottom floor has a seating area that is busy throughout the day serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. 100 feet of 3” ABS sanitary sewer line from the 1970s running through the kitchen, preparation area, customer service, dining area, and past the elevators to the basement’s 6” main sewer had developed numerous breaks and shifts over the years.

 

The 3” ABS was located 2 feet under a structural slab and the sewer gas was finding it’s way into the high-rise. The sewer gas was such a problem that tenants considered vacating. To add to the problem, the restaurant operates 7 days a week, causing extreme time constraints for repairs. It was estimated that in order to jack hammer, remove and replace the sewer leaks, it would take well over one week. This was unacceptable, as the restaurant would have to close for business while under repair.

 

Of utmost importance to the owners and the tenant of the restaurant was that there be no interruption of daily business operations and, if possible, to preserve the structural concrete slab. After CCTV inspection of the sewer system, the breaches were identified, located and it was determined that 36 feet of structural liner would rehabilitate the piping breaches. After consulting with the restaurant, the NuFlow Certified Contractor presented the idea of relining on a Sunday evening as the restaurant usually closes earlier on Sundays. After the restaurant closed on Sunday the line was cleaned, and the structural liner was put in place. The next morning, the contractor returned prior to restaurant operations to put the restored line back into service in time for breakfast service.

 

NuFlow’s structural liner was installed in a very tight time constraint causing no loss of business for the restaurant and resolving the sewer odor issues in the high-rise. This solution was provided with no mess or compromise to the integrity of the structural slab and the cost of NuFlow’s structural liner was less than 50 percent of a conventional repair.

NuFlow Saved Bottom Floor Residents from Displacement

An apartment building’s underground sanitary main line that is located beneath the main hallway and first floor rooms experienced consistent failures. Instead of paying for traditional pipe replacement and thereby causing weeks of construction, inconvenience and resident displacement, the customer chose NuFlow’s patented pipe lining process to rehabilitate their drain lines. NuFlow’s unique solution resulted in complete property preservation and no disruption for residents.

 

A nine-story apartment building’s sanitary pipe system experienced backups and caused failures due to debris build-up. The cast iron sanitary line goes from a diameter of 4″ to 6″ and is located under slab, beneath the main hallway and some residents’ apartments. This pipe system is more than 40 years old. Also upon investigation, part of the main line had a very large hole that needed to be covered. It was clear that the pipe was deteriorating and the customer knew that the pipe either had to be replaced or repaired and protected.

 

The main line is located in a crawl space with limited access, so not only is a repipe difficult to perform given the restraints, but it would also cause serious damage to the structural integrity of the building. The main line is also located beneath part of the apartment building’s main hallway and some of the first floor apartments, so a repipe would cause inconvenience and displacement of some residents.

 

NuFlow technicians took full advantage of both clean out access points available and successfully lined the failing main line without causing any destruction to the apartment building. The NuDrain system was utilized to install a structural liner, using pull-in-place technology, within the main line, creating a new pipe within the host pipe. This protective liner covers all voids in the pipeline and will help to prevent future debris build-up and flow problems.

 

This main line rehabilitation project is a perfect example of how NuFlow’s cured-in-place pipe solutions save apartment buildings from destruction and resident displacement. NuFlow’s pipe repair processes are also less time consuming and more cost-effective than a traditional repipe. The ideal, long-term pipe rehabilitation solutions for your home or property can be implemented with NuFlow’s technologies.

 

“NuFlow’s pipe lining solution solved our problems. The technicians were very professional and kept the work site very clean. I am impressed with NuFlow’s technology and I’m a very happy customer!” – Susan Z., Building Manager and Owner

Detailed Planning Leaves a Big Impression

Gurgling drains and sewer backups were becoming common occurrences for the homeowners of a condo complex in West Palm Beach. They learned that NuFlow’s pipe lining process was a safe alternative to pipe replacement, but it was the minimal destruction and affordable price that won them over.

Gurgling drains and sewer backups were becoming common occurrences for the homeowners of a condo complex in West Palm Beach. Built in 1974 with over 200 units, the building’s aging cast iron pipes were deteriorating and in need of some major repair work. The HOA board was tasked with finding a way to fix the ongoing plumbing issues, while managing the concerns of their fellow homeowners. The HOA looked at options to replace the pipes, but the amount of destruction and price to do the project was unsettling. When they spoke to a NuFlow Certified Contractor, they were pleased to learn that pipe lining was not only a safe alternative to pipe replacement, but it required minimal invasiveness and had a much more affordable price.

The HOA agreed that pipe lining was their best option, but as they began the project they were still apprehensive that the maintenance would be burdensome to their community. The project management team worked with them every step of the way.

The project was scheduled during the summer months to take advantage of the lower occupancy in the building. The NuFlow contractor sent clear communication to the HOA board to make sure that any impact to the residents was outlined ahead of time and very minimal. Each day, the technicians arrived on time, were friendly and courteous to the residents, and left the premises in a clean and orderly manner. Over the course of 3 months, the Board members repeatedly complimented the technicians for their promptness and professional manner in completing the maintenance of the 18-story building.

The NuFlow Certified Contractor cleaned each of the 38 sewer stacks with mechanical and hydro-jetting to remove any buildup and debris. They then followed the cleaning with a cured-in-place pipe lining that sealed any cracks and leaks. The HOA was impressed by the detailed project management and the organized execution of the project. Now the buildings pipes are back and working like new again.

Pipe Lining Delivers

Neither flooding, nor backups, nor sewer smells stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds. Learn how pipe lining was the clear solution for this Nevada post office.

Mail delivery is a non-stop 24-hour operation. After decades of round the clock production, a mail sorting facility in Nevada needed some major repairs. The building’s outdated plumbing infrastructure was causing ongoing issues that were affecting the employees. With thousands of businesses and households relying on the postal service daily, shutting down for repairs was not an option.

When assessing the project, the contractor knew the sewer pipes would need a major overhaul. The pipe system is located under a concrete subfloor that is fitted with large mechanical equipment that sprawls throughout the 500,000 sq ft building. Replacing the pipes would be next to impossible without disrupting operations and would likely take months to complete.

Pipe lining was the clear alternative to fix the pipe problems without disrupting the daily service of the post office. The mechanical contracting company knew they needed to an expert to rehabilitate the aging system, so they called a NuFlow Certified Contractor. They had previously worked with the NuFlow contractor on a similar project and trusted them to not only repair the pipes, but to complete the project in a timely and professional manner, so they could stay on track for the overall project timeline.

The crew conducted a thorough camera inspection of the entire pipe system, creating a map of the infrastructure with detailed assessment of the condition of the pipes. They planned a phased approach to tackle the project, starting with cleaning the pipes to remove years of sludge and debris that had built up on the inside. The technicians then lined the pipes with an epoxy resin, creating a structural “pipe within the pipe”, that will resist breaks or corrosion for many years to come. When the project was complete, the contractor lined a total of 1400 linear ft of cast iron pipes in 4, 6, and 8 inch sizes. Like the mail, the NuFlow Certified Contractor completed the project on time so they could finish the project of upgrading the facility to a modern day work place.

Seeing is Believing

The busy kitchen at a 400-room hotel in Tampa didn’t have time for drain backups. But when their grease lines began causing problems, they called a NuFlow Certified Contractor for a camera inspection. The video results of the inspection showed such serious buildup and corrosion that the hotel decided immediately to camera other parts of the kitchen pipes, as well as the system of sanitary sewer stacks that serve the rooms.

The pipe assessment videos made the next steps clear – cracks, corrosion and buildup all indicated trouble down the road, and the issues needed to be addressed before bigger (and more expensive) problems arose.

After inspection the contractor performed a thorough cleaning of the drain system to ensure guests were not troubled with sewer odors or backups. The top 30 feet of the sewer pipes were exposed to outside salt air, and as a result they suffered corrosion damage which was easily resolved with an epoxy brush coating lining process, keeping further corrosion at bay for years to come. Recognizing the potential harm that salt air could do, management also requested the contractor look at the roof drains and rain leaders. They also showed signs of corrosion and would have almost certainly led to serious problems down the road. The NuFlow contractor lined those as well, helping
prevent any potential leaks from occurring.

The hotel is now working with the NuFlow Certified Contractor to perform routine maintenance with a helpful bacterial solution to keep their drain system clean and healthy. Seeing is believing, and a simple camera inspection helped hotel management avoid unhappy guests and adverse impacts to revenue down the road.

Hospital Calls for a Second Opinion

When the continual wear and tear on a hospital’s aging pipes began to take its toll, they turned to NuFlow Certified Contractor for a second opinion.

A hospital in Florida had undergone multiple expansions to keep up with heavy demand, but the speed of expansion didn’t allow for proper maintenance of their existing pipe infrastructure. After a hurricane swept through the area they began carrying an even heavier load than usual and the wear and tear on the building’s aging pipes began to take its toll.

Drainage backups and pipe failures were becoming common disruptions to the medical staff and maintenance team. The hospital’s engineering partner initially considered replacing the aging pipes. But pipe replacement risked contamination from construction dust and debris into sensitive areas of the hospital. In addition, they would have to shut down sections of the hospital for multiple phases. The project would likely take years to complete, so they decided to look into pipe lining as an alternative.

Pipe lining not only provided them with the long-term solution that they needed to restore their pipes, but it allowed them to remain open, avoid any major construction damage, and greatly reduce the possibility of contamination of sensitive areas of the buildings. However, the aging pipes were not their only challenge. Because of the multiple phases of expansion, the engineers did not have a complete blueprint map of the hospital’s piping system.

They would be going into the system nearly blind to clean and line the pipes. The engineering team began the pipe lining project with a competitive lining company in the area and called a NuFlow Certified Contractor to get a secondary bid on the project. The NuFlow contractor created a thorough plan for the project, taking into consideration all of the special needs for the hospital staff and their patients, as well as how to tackle the unknown pipe layout. The NuFlow contractor’s bid for the project was actually slightly higher
than their competitor. But the experience of NuFlow, a clear understanding of the situation, and extremely detailed production plan put them a step ahead of the competition and they were awarded the project.

The contractor video inspected, cleaned, mapped, and rehabilitated over 3,000 linear feet of cast iron pipes in and under the facility. The complex project only took 6 months to complete and did not require any extended shutdowns at the hospital, allowing the medical staff to continue doing what they do best, taking care of people.

Las Vegas Food Court Remains Open During Pipe Lining

A landmark mall on the Las Vegas strip boasts high-profile tenant’s such as the M&M’s World, the Coca-Cola Store, Outback Steakhouse and Hard Rock Café.

During a renovation for this mall, the customer wanted to repair a horizontal grease line that services the restaurant kitchens in the food court.  Part of the 4” diameter cast iron grease line goes through a 2ft thick concrete wall. A traditional pipe replacement would have caused significant closures to the businesses. The concrete wall would have been destroyed, resulting in weeks of additional work, higher costs, and a massive mess from tearing down the wall and rebuilding it.

They decided to use NuFlow’s non-invasive pipe lining instead of the pipe replacement. The NuFlow technicians utilized several existing access points to clean and retrofit this horizontal grease line. The job was completed in one day, as opposed to the weeks of work a traditional repipe would have taken.

First, using existing access points, a NuFlow pneumatic cutting tool was used to break apart the build-up inside of the pipes and return them to their original diameter. Then, our NuDrain system was installed using a patented Pull-in-Place process. Once the epoxy cured, a seamless structural liner was left inside the host pipe. The protective liner prevents breaks in the pipe, corrosion build-up, and other common failures; greatly extending the useful life of the pipe system.

The NuDrain process was installed without causing any destruction to the building, and a grease bypass system was installed so there were no interruptions to the restaurants while our technicians rehabilitated the pipes.

Hassle Free for the Long Term

The Silver Thatch Atlantic Plaza is a 360-unit condominium complex located in Pompano Beach, FL. Due to the age of the property, deteriorating pipes were forcing residents to deal with leaks and sewer backups with increasing frequency.

The maintenance staff was clearing blockages with traditional plumbing methods on an “as-needed” basis, but the number and frequency of the issues made it clear that something was amiss.

The condominium association knew they needed a long-term fix but wanted a solution that avoided a great deal of expense, hassle, and resident disruption. Silver Thatch turned to a NuFlow Certified Contractor and their Cured-in-Place-Pipe (CIPP) lining solution. The NuFlow contractor cleaned and lined over 7,500 feet of cast iron pipes, 44 vertical waste stacks that were over 170 feet each, and
nearly 1,400 feet of cast iron underground sewer lines. The pipes ranged from 4 to 8 inches in diameter. The CIPP lining process restored, repaired and renewed the Silver Thatch’s corroding pipe system with minimal disruption, with 80% less time and 40% lower cost than
pipe replacement.

University Saves Over a Million Dollars with Pipe Lining

Foul odors and ongoing leaks were causing complaints in the dorms of a 150-year-old university. The school needed a solution that would take care of the problems without displacing over 1000 on-campus students.

Students at a well-known eastern university were complaining about ongoing plumbing issues in their student housing. For years, the facilities team struggled with the aging pipes in their on-campus dormitories. Foul odor and ongoing leaks in buildings that were in constant use forced the repair crew to be reactive. Every time a problem arose, they would quickly patch or replace the pipes, only to see the issues arise again and again. With over 1000 students living in the four buildings, they faced a constant struggle to maintain the plumbing infrastructure while school was in session… but they were losing the battle.

The university had plans to eventually renovate the dorms, but it was not in the master financial plan for at least another ten years. The maintenance staff knew they needed to come up with a long-term solution to get ahead of the problem. They looked into a full pipe replacement, but the quote came in over $2,000,000. And, in order to keep the housing available during the school year, replacement would have to be executed in a multi-phase plan that would take years to complete. They were looking for an alternative option when they met a NuFlow Certified Contractor.

The contractor educated the facilities manager about pipe lining – a non-destructive alternative to pipe replacement that lasts just as long with minimal hassle. The solution proved to be a breakthrough, well beyond what the maintenance teams could have imagined. After a thorough inspection and presentation to the management team, the NuFlow Certified Contractor estimated the job at less than half of the price of pipe replacement.

The team cleaned and lined 32 drain stacks, which included over 5,000 ft of cast iron pipe. The entire project was done in one month over the school’s winter break. When the students returned to campus there were no more complaints. Under half the cost and a fraction of the projected time, you do not have to be a math major to know that they made the right decision.

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