When a local children’s hospital needed to renovate a newly acquired facility for a skilled nursing and subacute center, outdated cast iron pipes posed a major challenge. A full excavation and pipe replacement would have been costly, invasive, and time-consuming, delaying the facility’s opening. Instead, Bill Howe Plumbing, a NuFlow Certified Contractor, introduced CIPP lining, rehabilitating 1,670 linear feet of underground piping with minimal disruption. This trenchless solution not only saved costs but also accelerated project completion, ensuring the hospital could begin serving patients sooner.
The Problem: Aging Infrastructure Delays Expansion
The hospital had acquired a vacant mid-century facility adjacent to its main campus, planning to convert it into a skilled nursing and subacute center for children and adolescents with complex medical needs. To meet the specialized infrastructure requirements, significant upgrades were necessary including the replacement of deteriorating cast iron waste pipes.
The original plan called for saw-cutting, excavating, and replacing all underground waste piping connected to 152 fixtures. This method would have been highly disruptive and expensive, delaying the project and increasing costs.
Seeking a faster, more efficient solution, the hospital’s General Contractor worked with Bill Howe Plumbing, who recommended NuFlow’s NuDrain Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP) lining. After an on-site demonstration, all parties agreed that trenchless pipe rehabilitation was the best approach.
The Challenge: Strict Timelines & Limited Access
Several challenges required meticulous planning and coordination:
- Aggressive project timeline: The facility needed to open as soon as possible, requiring simultaneous work on opposite sides of the property.
- Comprehensive pipe rehabilitation: The client requested that every pipe, fitting, and connection be lined, leaving no section untouched.
- Restricted workspace: With multiple trade contractors working on-site, accessibility to piping and workspaces was limited.
- Minimal staging area: The wet-out area was small, making material storage and equipment placement more difficult.
With these challenges in mind, the project required precise execution and coordination to meet the hospital’s strict timeline.
The Solution: Trenchless Pipe-Lining with NuFlow’s NuDrain CIPP
To ensure efficiency, Bill Howe Plumbing worked closely with the General Contractor to implement strategic logistics and minimize disruptions.
Key Steps in the Process:
- CIPP Lining for 1,670 Linear Feet: All underground cast iron waste pipes were rehabilitated without excavation.
- Minimal Excavation: Only eight manual access points were created to install cleanouts on 4″ and 6″ main sewer lines.
- Connection Liners & Brush Coating: The team used the Picote connection collar system to install 37 connection liners and apply brush coating to water closet trap arms.
- Efficient Project Execution: Despite the challenges, the entire project was completed in just 77 days, staying ahead of schedule.
By utilizing trenchless technology, the hospital was able to fast-track construction, allowing other contractors to begin work months earlier than originally planned.
The Outcome: Faster Completion & Significant Cost Savings
By choosing NuFlow’s trenchless pipe repair, the hospital and General Contractor achieved major cost savings while accelerating the project timeline.
- Avoided full pipe replacement, reducing labor and material costs.
- Eliminated extensive excavation, minimizing disruption.
- Completed work in 77 days, ensuring the facility could open sooner.
The hospital and General Contractor praised the efficiency and effectiveness of the NuFlow system, emphasizing how trenchless technology helped bring this critical care facility online faster—benefiting children in need of specialized medical support.
Conclusion: A Smarter Approach to Pipe Rehabilitation
This case study highlights how CIPP lining with NuFlow’s NuDrain system delivers fast, cost-effective pipe rehabilitation for healthcare and commercial projects. By eliminating excavation, reducing costs, and keeping projects on schedule, trenchless technology is redefining infrastructure rehabilitation in the healthcare industry.
Contact NuFlow today to learn how our trenchless solutions can keep your project on track while minimizing costs and disruptions.
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