Noninvasive waterline rehab for busy shopping center
Problem: In 2011, a Midwestern multitenant shopping center was facing a serious plumbing issue: a leaking waterline located beneath tenant-occupied buildings and over 200 feet of asphalt parking lot. Attempts to locate the exact source of the leak were unsuccessful. Traditional excavation would have meant tearing up interior flooring, digging through the parking lot, and likely displacing tenants or closing businesses — an option the property owner wanted to avoid.
Solution: A certified Neofit Installer was brought in to offer a trenchless solution. Using the Neofit Expandable Pressure Pipe System from Flow-Liner, the installer rehabilitated approximately 260 feet of 1-inch polyethylene pipe and 20 feet of 3/4-inch copper pipe. Only two small access pits were required — one at the curb stop and another just outside the building. There was no need to excavate interior spaces or paved areas.
Result: The pipes were fully operational the same day, avoiding business disruption entirely. Tenants remained open, customers were unaffected and the owner avoided costly demolition and repairs. More than a decade later, the rehabilitated pipes are still performing reliably, proving the long-term value of trenchless rehabilitation. 800-348-0020; www.flow-liner.com
Contractor upgrades retreat center’s water heating system
Problem: Built in the 1960s, the Mary and Joseph Retreat Center in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, features 42 guest rooms and depends on reliable hot water. The facility’s aging 120-gallon, 75,000 Btu/h water heater, paired with a storage tank, often failed to meet demand, leaving guests without hot water, especially during peak-usage hours.
Solution: To address the issue, the center turned to Rami Hinawi, president of Plumbing Service Solutions. Hinawi recommended the Noritz Hybrid Hot Series, which combines a 199,900 Btu/h commercial condensing tankless water heater with a 119-gallon cement-lined storage tank. Capable of delivering 317 gph at 98% thermal efficiency, the unit is ideal for high-demand commercial applications. Although it was his first Hybrid Hot install, Hinawi, who puts in 30 Noritz units annually, found it “straightforward and simpler” than a traditional commercial water heating system. His three-person crew completed the installation in just five hours.
Result: The retreat center now enjoys consistent hot water and improved temperature control. Hinawi praised the Hybrid Hot’s compact design, easy setup and included components, adding, “The Hybrid Hot reduced the installation time.” In addition to performance, the cost savings were significant. A traditional setup would have cost nearly $9,000; the Hybrid Hot, with available rebates, was approximately 44% less, Hinawi reports. 714-422-8120; www.noritz.com
Plumber protects pipes and plumbing systems
Problem: Mike Barth, general manager of Pro Service Plumbing in Cleveland has seen firsthand how unprotected piping can fail under harsh conditions. On one job, his team ran copper piping underground, assuming its durability would withstand the elements. But once the concrete was poured, it hardened and pierced the pipe, causing a pinhole leak where the concrete met the copper.
Solution: After this costly setback, Barth discovered Oatey Blue Pipe Guard at his local supply house. Made from high-impact ABS plastic, the Pipe Guard sleeves copper or CPVC waterlines, shielding them from damage during concrete pours and allowing for natural pipe expansion and contraction. “It was a no-brainer,” says Barth. “I’ve used it every time since.” He now regularly uses the product on underground plumbing projects to protect pipes from corrosive elements and physical abrasion.
Result: Since adopting Pipe Guard, Barth and his team haven’t experienced any pipe damage related to concrete work. It’s become a go-to product for the company. 800-321-9532; www.oatey.com
Heavy-duty drain pumps solve hair salon’s plumbing challenges
Problem: Sam Zimmerman, president of Sunny Day Homes in Vilas, North Carolina, was tasked with installing plumbing for his daughter’s hair salon in a rental unit. However, the building’s concrete floors could not be disturbed at the request of the property owners, which ruled out traditional plumbing solutions. This led Zimmerman to explore options, specifically for a heavy-duty, commercial-grade pump system capable of handling high-temperature graywater without altering the structure.
Solution: After searching online for the “most heavy-duty, reliable graywater pump,” Zimmerman found Saniflo’s website and a lineup of products that would accommodate the salon’s needs. Specifically, Zimmerman selected three Sanicom 1 commercial graywater drain pumps and strategically placed them in key salon areas without compromising aesthetics. Installation was noninvasive, fast and cost-effective.
Result: Since he installed the first set of Saniflo units in his daughter’s salon, Zimmerman has continued to feel confident in using Saniflo products for other commercial projects, specifically rental properties where, again, the structural integrity of a building was at issue. “Now I have a solution for those types of projects, and I have enough confidence in Saniflo pumps to handle it,” says Zimmerman. “We can run the system through the ceiling and save a lot of time and trouble.” 800-571-8191; www.saniflo.com
