Senior living community’s water supply protected by insertion valve
Problem: When engineers at the Santa Margarita Water District in Las Flores, California, identified a need for a new control point near a senior living community, they reached out to Western Water Works.
Solution: SMWD had heard of the benefits of the Advanced Valve Technologies EZ Valve insertion valve and requested a demonstration of the system. Once that was complete, they decided to invest in the installation equipment required along with valves for this project and those in the future. They wanted to create a new isolation point on the 8-inch asbestos concrete pipeline to ensure that as and when maintenance and repairs were required, they would be able to safeguard the water supply of the 130 properties within the senior living community. EZ Valves are insertion valves that are installed without the need to shut off the water flow. The valves use integrated isolation gates, which when closed after a slot has been milled across the pipe, allows the low-profile end milling machine to be removed and the bonnet with a resilient wedge to be installed, all while the flow is maintained.
Result: As well as installing the insertion valve, the team at SMWD accessed Advanced Valve Technologies’ training program, which includes an online training workshop followed up by face-to-face training. This means the four-man crew that completed the install are now fully qualified to install further EZ valves across the region. 877-489-4909; www.avtfittings.com
Electric mini-excavator a fit for indoor environments
Problem: Jim Brinkman, owner of Brinkman Plumbing Contractors in Quincy, Illinois, does a lot of plumbing excavation, and his team of 30 employees often needs to work in challenging indoor environments like factories, restaurants and other commercial buildings. Brinkman asked Luby Equipment for recommendations on an emissions-free machine that could operate safely in any indoor environment and fit through a 36-inch doorway.
Solution: The CASE Construction Equipment CX15EV electric mini-excavator was the right fit. The compact, 1.5 metric-ton unit gives contractors a powerful machine for working in indoor and outdoor environments where a minimal footprint is required. It fits through almost any entryway and offers the same working performance as a diesel machine — all while delivering the benefits of electrified construction equipment: zero on-site emissions, minimized noise and less maintenance. It is easy to transport and can operate in a wide range of environments. It’s also compatible with numerous attachments — including various buckets, augers and hydraulic hammers — making it an extremely versatile tool for getting more work done efficiently. And, with no diesel engine, contractors can reduce downtime and improve productivity with simplified daily checks and maintenance.
Result: “This excavator is going to make us more competitive and will save us a lot of headache, time and backache on indoor jobs,” Brinkman says. “This machine comes with a lot of advantages. It’s safer for our guys and it’s more productive. It’s a win all the way.” 866-542-2736; www.casece.com
Pipe patching saves koi pond
Problem: An Oklahoma homeowner reached out to Antonio Delacerda, master plumber, contractor and owner of A-Team Plumbing after reaching out to several plumbers about an issue he was having at his home that was threatening to destroy his koi fishpond in the repair process. “It turned out it was the city main that was cracked, and the customer’s sewer line where the tee met the city line needed repair and it was under the koi pond,” says Delacerda. “They didn’t want to dig up their pond, but the city said they had to until we were able to help.”
Solution: The A-Team decided to utilize the RIDGID Pipe Patching System, an all-inclusive, start-to-finish solution that can perform up to 6-foot fiberglass repairs in 2- to 6-inch pipe in straight sections, bends, transitions and P-traps. Pipe patching is an efficient, durable repair solution that saves time and labor, while also providing minimal disturbance to landscaping and business productivity, making it suitable for residential, commercial and industrial markets.
Result: “We made two holes 10 to 15 feet in from the pond and then put in a 3-foot patch and we saved the fish!” says Antonio, who prefers to do pipe patching to not disrupt the client’s yard. “All you have to do is access a clean-out; from the clean-out you can then push that patch into place.” 800-474-3443; www.ridgid.com
Structural liner used to rehabilitate 220 linear feet of storm pipe
Problem: The city of Carmel, Indiana was in a dire situation when a rusted water pipe ruptured, creating a massive sinkhole in the road at a major intersection. Fortunately, officers arrived at the scene and secured the area surrounding the 12-by-18-foot hole before any accidents occurred. The storm pipe was removed and replaced, but the city was faced with another obstacle: there were another 220 linear feet of storm pipe from the replaced section to a drainage lake that could collapse at any time.
Solution: Removing the remaining pipe was not a practical option due to the location of utilities in the area. Conco Spray Solutions provided the city with an alternative solution: a structural liner that would hold infiltration back and provide a long-term structural solution with a 50-year design life. Once the lake was pumped down, the Conco team prepared the pipe. Conco pressure washed the pipe surface at 5000 psi. Mortar was then used to repair the rusted voids in the invert and eventually, a chemical grout was utilized. Conditions dictated a fully deteriorated protocol with H20 traffic load. Sprayroq’s SprayWall lining was applied at a thickness of approximately 630 mils.
Result: By providing quick rehabilitation and not removing the existing structure, Conco Spray Solutions minimized the disruption of traffic flow and preserved the natural landscape. 205-957-0020; www.sprayroq.com
Pipe bursting used for hillside sewer easement replacement
Problem: Roughly 200 linear feet of 12-inch clay sanitary sewer main connecting Marietta Drive and Del Vale Avenue in San Francisco was taking on a lot of groundwater on a steep hillside easement between the two streets. A good portion of this easement was steep enough to make open excavation impractical, or at least a significantly more complicated last resort.
Solution: Flores Construction of San Francisco called for pipe bursting as the best and most cost-effective option for this easement project. They subcontracted TRIC Tools to do the sewer replacement with their M100 pipe bursting assembly.
Result: The Flores crew worked with TRIC technicians over a four-day period, replacing the old 12-inch clay line in two stages and connecting four brick manholes. Ground conditions were ideal, allowing the relatively short bursting head assembly and flexible 12-inch SDR17 HDPE replacement pipe to follow elevational changes and stay inside the existing pipe path, minimizing excavation in the street and facilitating a very efficient easement rehabilitation. 888-883-8742; www.trictools.com
