A contamination incident despite the best laid plans

Sometimes, things happen that you don’t expect. You can do everything right and have the best contingencies in place, only for a series of unforeseen circumstances to lead to a major incident. This is exactly what happened to an industrial food manufacturer in Sydney. 

During operations, a yeast spill occurred inside the facility. While the manufacturer had done the right thing by creating bunded areas to contain the spill, they didn’t realise that the trade waste line buried in the ground had failed. The volume of the spill was so significant that it actually fed into the sewer line, which then also failed and leaked the contamination into the stormwater system. 

Once in the stormwater system, the spill ran along the pipeline until it came across holes, fractures, and failed rubber connection points. These damages meant the yeast drained into the surrounding water system and into a spillway where a member of the public noticed a slick on the surface. After the council was alerted, they tracked the spill to the storm drain outlet connected to the site. As soon as the manufacturer was informed, they took immediate action and reached out to their contracted plumber requesting that things be rectified as quickly as possible. 

Stormwater system damage reveals relining as the only solution 

Once the contracted plumber was able to assess the damage, he saw that the impacts to the trade lines and sewer lines were a relatively straightforward fix. However, when his CCTV drain inspection captured the scope of the impacts to the stormwater system, including collapsed and busted pipe junctions, he realised a reline was the only way to get things repaired. Not only because of tricky access, but because the alternative would mean excavating the sewer line, waste lines, and ammonia plant located above the stormwater system. So, he reached out to his local plumbing supplier seeking a recommendation. 

Nuflow Blacktown and Hills District has great relationships with all suppliers, and are constantly getting referrals from frustrated plumbers not able to find a reliner with the skills, service, and attention to detail required to do the job right. So, when this contracted plumber reached out, he was sent straight to Nuflow.  

Nuflow’s fast response and adaptability to the rescue  

Once the team was brought in, they were given CCTV footage and an instruction that things were extremely urgent. Owner Dane reviewed a whopping 4 hours of footage that same night and emailed his recommendations to the plumber. Within a week of the order, Nuflow Blacktown was on site ready to repair the stormwater system using top relining tech, Blueline. 

This particular job posed a lot of challenges, from accessibility to safety to the weather. The team only had about 300-400m of working room to insert the relining bladders which would prove difficult for the damaged pipe junctions. These are connections from a sideline that lead to an appliance or different area of the building, feeding them into a common drain line. Because of their position in the pipes, good accessibility is usually a requirement to effectively complete the reline. Despite their space limitations, the team was able to use their expertise to effectively reline and repair the pipeline junctions. This was even more impressive in the face of their other major hurdle – the rain. 

While the job was being done, Sydney was dealing with nonstop rain. There was no option to reschedule due to the urgency of the job, so the Nuflow Blacktown and Hills District team had to adapt. To counteract their battle with the weather, they used resins that would cure underwater and wouldn’t wash away while they were installing the liners. Plus, because of the size of the site, the stormwater drain needed to be in operation during the reline. To allow for that, the team used flow-through bladders that allowed the water to run through a hose within the liner. 

The amount of rainfall was also a major safety concern since the team would be working in the stormwater pits, so they had to mitigate that risk. Nuflow Blacktown and Hills District is ISO accredited across three tiers, meaning they are dedicated to safety and quality. Throughout the duration of the job, they made sure they upheld working standards that aligned with these accreditations, ensuring the safety of the team and great outcomes for the client. 

Fast, effective service the client could trust

By the time the job was done, twenty-two liners were installed, consisting of two 225mm x 150mm junctions, fourteen 225mm sectional patches, five 150mm sectional patches, and one 300mm sectional patch. This only took three weeks, and in under a month the stormwater system was structurally repaired and running efficiently. 

The client was thrilled with the speed of the job, and the fact that their operations could continue without interruption. They could simply put their faith in Nuflow, and know that everything would be done to an exceptional standard. 

Nuflow’s here to help

No matter how complex or complicated your project, your local Nuflow has the capability to help. Whether you’re in need of commercial, residential, or industrial pipe repair, our market-leading, innovative relining solutions can provide the results you need. Learn more on our website, or get in touch today. 

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Old infrastructure puts a stop to renovations 

Part of the project included refurbishing a building for commercial tenants. This engineering team was required to replace damaged sheet piling that reinforced the building against the nearby ocean. However, installing new sheet piling would inevitably cause vibrations that risked damaging a 36m 1100 x 900mm brick stormwater culvert drain, which ran underneath the building. 

Constructed from brick, the asset was suspected to date back to the late 1800s when the port was first established. A camera inspection revealed that the culvert drain was severely damaged, with huge cracks along its surface and even whole bricks missing. The engineering team suspected that it would not be able to withstand the level of intervention needed to install sheet piling without collapsing and causing irreversible damage to the heritage-listed building above. 

So, they had to pause their renovation plans and find someone to help them with the culvert drain repair. However, they soon realised that the shape of the asset would make this difficult. 

Culvert drain’s unique shape calls for a unique solution

Most drainage culvert drains are round, so most reliners are only equipped for this standard shape. However, the culvert drain running beneath the soon-to-be-renovated building were arched. This required a solution beyond the typical process, making it difficult to find someone able to deliver a suitable outcome. 

Luckily, the engineering team were referred to Nuflow WA. When Nuflow WA’s head reliner Steve saw the camera inspection footage, he knew they had the means and expertise to address the problem. Soon, they were on site conducting inspections and identifying the most effective solution and process. 

It was quickly determined that Sumoline would be the best product thanks to its strength and ability to structurally repair damaged infrastructure. Even if the pipe completely collapsed, the Sumoline resin would remain and keep things structurally sound. With the drain’s level of deterioration, this was a real possibility the team needed to account for. An added bonus was the solution’s ability to cure underwater, which would be especially useful since the team would be working with the tide. Nuflow WA also needed to develop a custom liner to cater for the unique size and shape of the arch culvert drain. Once this was all quoted, constructed and approved, Nuflow WA was able to get started.

A chilly preparation 

After their own camera inspection, the Nuflow WA team decided the best way to tackle the culvert drain was 6m at a time. However, before the relining process could begin, the technicians needed to ‘wet out the liner.’ This involves putting the resin into the liner before it can be pulled into the drain and cured.

When this is done in the sun it exposes the resin to UV, speeding up the curing process. This means the team would have to work very quickly, making the process difficult due to the sheer size of liner. Their solution was to change the climate using a 40-foot refrigerated container. Inserting the liner in this chilled environment meant the team had up to 2.5 hours to finish the job, as opposed to a one-hour time frame in the sun. 

fridge int

An ocean-assisted installation 

Once the liner was ready, it was time to get it into the culvert drain. Since it was around 300kg, this was a demanding process that required a lot of manpower. Installing this meant manoeuvring the liner from the container to the manhole access point, suspending it down the manhole and then positioning it into the culvert drain itself. The small access point and weight of the liner made manoeuvring difficult, but thanks to the team’s expertise they were up to the task.

After nine days of hard work, the final stages of the reline were complete. In order to prevent water from making its way between the Nuflow reline and the old culvert drain, installers finished off the end with Nuflow’s smooth trowel. The final result was a fully restored and refurbished brick culvert drain asset. 

Repaired culvert drain get renovation back in action 

Thanks to Nuflow’s alternative no-dig solutions, the project engineers avoided the extremely expensive task of decommissioning the culvert drain by filling it with concrete and diverting stormwater elsewhere. They were also glad to be back on schedule without needing to worry about compromising the infrastructure below. Likewise, the port and the water authority were pleased to have everything back in working order. 

[H2] Let us solve your complex culvert drain problems  

Nuflow has the skills and know-how to assist with any manner of pipe issues. Our skills and experience across the industry of relining mean that we’re able to adapt these innovative solutions to suit your unique scenario. Save yourself time and expenses, and reach out to us today.

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What is uncommon, however, is the work Nuflow Bendigo was required to do at the local private hospital. When a mystery leak appeared on the pavement outside, they were called in to put their underground pipe leak detection skills to the test. However, the team soon realised that this was only a small part of a much bigger mystery, and they were the only ones who could solve it. 

Footpath leak reveals stormwater issues 

The hospital in question is about 50 years old. Nuflow Bendigo is regularly onsite to do hospital plumbing maintenance and help make sure their assets are as close as possible to current plumbing standards. While on a regularly scheduled maintenance check-up, the team was approached by the hospital about a mysterious, reoccurring puddle of water coming from the ground. The team understand exactly how to find a leaking pipe underground, so they agreed to take a look. It didn’t take long for them to identify that the problem was related to the stormwater system beneath the pavement. 

CCTV camera inspections uncovered that the system was suffering from tree root intrusion, which was causing water to leak through the cracks to the footpath. Nuflow Bendigo was able to quickly clear away the pesky roots with pressure jet cleaning, and reline the underground pipe leak. 

It seemed like things were resolved, but there was just one problem – there had been no rain to flow into the drain, so where had the water come from? The team are not about quick fixes, so knew they needed to investigate further. 

Nuflow Bendigo is on the case  

Lead by head reliner and business owner Phil, Nuflow Bendigo began their investigation of various pipelines throughout the hospital to discover the culprit. This proved to be more difficult than usual since there were no plans for the pipe layouts, meaning they were going in blind. Things got even more challenging due to the fact that the building facades were constructed around the piping, making visibility very difficult. 

Still, this didn’t stop them from finding answers. After spending days figuring out where the different pipelines were and how to access them, they were able to use CCTV technology to inspect the interiors. This is how they discovered some corroded copper pipes beneath the maternity ward. 

These are actually pipe stacks, meaning they go up through multiple floors – three floors and into a cellar to be exact. Their purpose was to feed used reverse osmosis water from operating theatres into the sewer system. 

Reverse osmosis is a process for filtering town water, removing all contaminants and impurities to leave behind clean, pure water. The hospital’s damaged copper stack was feeding it away from the scrubs area where it was used to disinfect and sterilise equipment, but because this type of water is corrosive to copper it had started to eat away the pipe.  

The team realised that, at some point, the hospital maintenance staff must have noticed the leak in this line and redirected the reverse osmosis water away from the sewer and into the stormwater system. This solved the case of where the mystery water had come from, but now they needed a long-term fix for this short-term solution. 

A search for the right solution 

Pipe stacks always pose a challenge. There are all sorts of junctions leading into the stack that you can’t reline over without drilling out the junction’s entry point. Plus, Phil wanted to reline 1m down the junction lines to offer maximum protection. Without proper access, this is an extremely time-consuming process – and that was time the team didn’t have. 

In order to do the repairs, the pipelines would need to be completely dry so the resin was able to cure. That meant that the operating rooms could not be in use while this was happening since they wouldn’t be able to sterilise anything. Luckily, they would be shutting down over Christmas for a few days, so Nuflow Bendigo had a small window of opportunity to get the job done. 

Given the circumstances surrounding the job, Phil knew he needed to get creative with his solution. Traditional relining requires two access points, and they would only have one for each pipe. So, he began researching alternative options. 

In the past on another project, he had used a brush coating system. This involved applying multiple layers of resin in a brushing process and curing it with pressurised air. It offers easy manoeuvring, allowing the technician to go around bends and also different-sized pipes. This made it perfect for the hospital project. 

Phil conducted further research into this solution to ensure he was across all the right technicalities, which included getting in touch with technicians in Europe. Once he was confident, it was time to get started. 

Brush coating serves as the right solution 

Over the course of two days, the team was on site applying the brush coating system. The brush was attached to a milling cable, causing it to spin around inside the pipe. As it’s pulled through, it brushes the pipe with the resin, coating it from top to bottom. 

As the resin dried, it actually changed the piping integrity of the copper stack. It is now acid resistant and able to handle temperatures of over 100 degrees. This means that it will be protected from further corrosion caused by the reverse osmosis water moving forward.

Phil was very pleased with the result of the brush coating system, and what it means for pipe relining moving forward. “This is a solution that Nuflow is investing in and wants to advance in Australia.” 

Another case solved 

Nuflow Bendigo did in two days what would have taken over two months with a pipe replacement. Without relining, the operating rooms would face destruction and the hospital would need to shut things down for a long period of time. The hospital maintenance team was very happy that this didn’t need to happen, and that things could keep running smoothly. 

Call Nuflow for help 

If you are dealing with challenging pipe problems, like issues in the plumbing of your multistorey building, Nuflow has the capabilities to help. Time and time again, we go above and beyond for our clients to find solutions that suit their timelines, operations, and accessibility requirements. As our research and development teams advance the brush coating systems, we’ll be able to add this to our repertoire of high-quality, innovative solutions and offer even more extensive resolutions to your pipe problems. Talk to us today to learn more.

The post Nuflow Bendigo and the case of the water leak detection appeared first on Nuflow.

So, when a cracked stormwater system was discovered in a newly completed housing development in the North Harbour region, the managing construction company knew they needed to rectify the problem quickly. However, with the asset surrounded by newly built infrastructure for the development, they needed a solution that wouldn’t demand its destruction.  Fortunately, this is Nuflow’s speciality. 

Stormwater cracks risk infrastructure upgrades 

Piritahi is a construction company in Auckland that develops land and old subdivisions on behalf of government agency, Kāinga Ora, to provide rental housing for New Zealanders in need. 

Recently, Piritahi completed an infrastructure upgrade in the North Harbour region. Before they were able to open the new subdivision, they were required to confirm safety and building compliance for various assets across the project. This included conducting a CCTV inspection and flow report on the reinforced concrete stormwater system which had been installed as part of the upgrade. During the inspection, Piritahi uncovered a crack along a 5m section of the pipe that had occurred after its installation. 

The crack meant that the pipe was no longer structurally sound, and was at risk of collapsing if left unaddressed. It also meant that Piritahi couldn’t transfer ownership of to the local water authority until it was fixed. This would prove difficult as the stormwater pipe was located beneath a brand new 12 inch thick concrete walkway with an attached culvert. A lot of work had gone into this walkway, and a replacement would mean destroying everything followed by extensive remedial work, essentially starting all over again. Plus, It was also next to a public access park that would inevitably be impacted by the excavation required to replace the pipe. 

Initial remediation plans involving the replacement were predicted to cost over $250,000 and set the project timeline back months. Piritahi wanted to avoid this at all costs, so they looked into possible reline solutions. Having worked with Nuflow North Harbour in the past, they realised they were the best option to reach out to. 

Nuflow’s custom solution 

When head reliner at Nuflow North Harbour, David, got the request for a structural reline from Piritahi, he knew his team was up to the task. He started by organising a site visit where they inspected access points, reviewed site plans and determined the pipe specifications. 

Once he had all the information he needed, David reached out to Head Office and leveraged the expertise of Nuflow’s engineers and technicians to find the best possible solution. They came back with the recommendation for a 20mm, fit-for-purpose Sumoline liner. This is Nuflow’s strongest CIPP relining system and has been specifically designed to structurally repair built infrastructure where load-bearing capacity is critical. They decided that they would reline the pipe in two sections to account for the large size. 

As the largest pipe the Nuflow North Harbour team had dealt with, they realised they would need to custom make the liner in order to make it as effective as possible. Once they had confirmed the details, they submitted the price, plans and engineering specs for approval, and started preparing for the stormwater pipe repair. 

Unprecedented pipe size calls for problem solving 

Once the team got to the location, their first task was to establish the site. This meant determining public barriers and the area they needed for equipment and vehicles. They also needed to construct a shade tent to prep the materials so the resin wouldn’t react to the sun and begin to harden before it was in place. Nuflow is committed to safety and quality, so doing this made sure that the job would be done correctly with as little risk as possible. 

The first stage required wetting out the liner with the Sumoline resin. They then had to ‘invert the plastic’, which involves pushing a plastic skin of polypropylene the same size as the pipe into the liner to prevent the resin from sticking to the bladder as it inflates and cures. 

Usually, this is a simple process, with two or three technicians sliding it into the place with the help of an air compressor. However, because the custom liners were 150kg and filled with 300kg of resin, the plastic was meeting resistance and kept pushing out. With these weights more than double the size of the usual liners, the team realised they needed to adapt their process and come up with a better solution.  

They decided to strap the compressed air box to the liner, and then strap the liner to the truck. That way, when the compressed air was turned on, the plastic had nowhere to go except inside the liner. This proved successful, and the team could get started on the rest of the relining process. 

After clearing the pipe of debris, they got the liner in position. With weight continuing to be a challenge, the team used a capstan winch to lower it into the manhole access point, as well as a reversing vehicle that would carry the weight on the other end as it lowered. Not only did this solve the problem of its size and mass, it made it easy to reposition the placement of the liner if they needed to. 

Once in place, the bladder was inflated and left to cure for 36hours before the liner was pulled out and the process was repeated. Through what they learnt on day one, they were able to cut four hours off the preparation process and get it installed into the pipe much faster. Once again it was left to cure and pulled out after another 36 hours. The whole relining process only took four days, and left behind a structurally repaired asset that was stronger than ever. 

A fast, effective and safe pipe relining solution  

The Nuflow North Harbour team finished in four days what would have taken up to six weeks with a full replacement. All of this was done without having to touch the newly installed infrastructure, saving wasted recourses, unnecessary costs and impacts to the environment. Even the nearby public park could stay open as normal.  

Piritahi was very impressed with their work, and even commented on how well the team worked together. They were also grateful that all safety procedures and methodologies were adhered to, given the potential risks from the heavy materials.

After Nuflow North Harbour’s expert work, the asset was suitable for transfer to the council and Kāinga Ora were able to start leasing out homes to those who need it. 

Ask Nuflow about your pipe relining solutions

If you’re tossing up the merit of pipe relining vs replacement, this project should prove the benefits of the former. Don’t suffer from damaged infrastructure or unnecessary excavation. You can structurally repair your pipes in no time when you reach out to Nuflow for help. Contact us today.

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These kinds of systems are commonly used in marine and offshore facilities, like oil platforms, ships, and coastal installations. They pipe the water through a network of dedicated piping and nozzles to quickly suppress fires in the event of an emergency.

After two years of detailed planning, the project to transition the system from saltwater to freshwater began in August, 2022. This considerable undertaking took $16 million and over 100 contracted professionals across a range of industries. Nuflow Manawatu was among these experienced specialists, and their work on a corroded steel pipeline saved project managers from a whole lot of headaches. Read on to get the full details of their work on this massive project.

Multi-million dollar upgrades to tanker terminal’s fire protection system

The Newton Tanker Terminal is significant in terms of the Taranaki economy, estimated to contribute approximately $550 million NZD annually. It handles an array of bulk liquids and petrochemical products like oils, liquefied petroleum gas and methanol, which are transported from onshore and offshore sites throughout the area, then pumped to specialised load-out facilities. 

To do this effectively and safely, the terminal aims to operate to the highest possible safety standards, with frequent audits often placing them in the top 10% worldwide. That’s why their berths are kitted out with high-quality monitoring, safety, and firefighting systems that establish safe and efficient operations. 

So, when it looked like their fire protection system was on its way out, remedying this was a high priority. Establishing the new freshwater system would not only offer ways to keep the hull temperature low in the event of a fire, it would also require less maintenance and extend the lifetime of the assets without saltwater corrosion. 

Putting this system in place meant installing monitors, valves, pumps, dual electronic controls, and a firefighting foam system, as well as refurbishing a freshwater tank and existing steel pipelines. The latter is where Nuflow Manawatu’s capabilities came into their own, mitigating the need to spend extra money and time replacing the corroded pipes.

Repurposed pipelines need Nuflow’s attention

Part of the plan to create the new system involved repurposing white oil pipelines and turning them into fireman pipelines that fed water cannons in case of emergency. However, they came to realise that steel pipe corrosion was causing metal pipe rust to enter the ocean via the cannons. Not only that, the pipe corrosion would likely cause leaks, cracks and other issues, meaning that repairs wouldn’t be far down the line. 

The problem was the position of these corroded pipes made them hard to access. Replacing them would have meant major works that extended the project timeline and even require shutting off certain sections of the terminal. This could have prevented fuel unloading, which could have impacted supply in the region. So, the team knew a replacement was not possible. 

Luckily, one of the contractors onsite was a Nuflow Engineering Partner, so they knew exactly who to get in touch with. Nuflow Manawatu was ready to go in no time.

Limited pipe access calls for a different approach to relining

The team began with a CCTV pipe inspection to assess the full scope of what they needed to do. They identified that corrosion had impacted 120m of 250mm pipework, and 36m of 300mm pipework, and that both would need some water jet cleaning. Plus, because of the inaccessibility, they realised that traditional cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) repair would not be possible throughout the whole pipeline, so they required an alternate solution.

Nucoat is Nuflow’s spray-in-place pipe (SIPP) technology that allows technicians to spray epoxy resin on the interior of a pipe. Fast curing, it will hold its own weight without needing a bladder. With its suitability for all kinds of pipes, including high pressure ones, and its capabilities around steel pipe corrosion protection, it was well suited for the new firewater line. 

Led by Nuflow Manawatu’s head reliner Matthew, the team got to work applying the solutions. Over certain bends and sections they used CIPP techniques, but overall Nucoat was the primary restoration method. Its fast application made it easy to complete the job within the tight constraints of the project timeline, and after only two weeks on site everything was finalised.

Nuflow’s work keeps project on time and on track

The project managers were thrilled with Nuflow Manawatu’s work. Everything was completed on budget, on time, and in compliance with safety standards. They were also pleased that the terminal could remain in full operation while the repairs took place, and that everything could keep running smoothly. The work needed to finalise the upgrade was done on time, and as of December 21^st, the new freshwater firewater system is now in operation. 

According to Infrastructure General Manager, John Maxwell, “The co-ordination between the various parties has been fantastic and enabled the project to come in on time and on budget, and we thank them for all their hard work.”

Need something similar? Get in touch

No matter your pipe and plumbing needs, Nuflow likely has the solution you’re looking for. Our expert team has capabilities across a range of industries, piping systems and project types that we can use to solve your piping issues. No matter how complex or straightforward, our teams will tackle things with enthusiasm and skill. Reach out to us today.

The post From rust to robust: Nuflow Manawatu repairs corroded pipes on tanker terminal project appeared first on Nuflow.

Discover how they used their shared expertise, knowledge, and drive to find a solution to this complex problem. 

Service line work uncovers structural damages

Large fruit and vegetable exporter, Enzafoods, is based on a lot of land located in Nelson, New Zealand. Recently, they decided to compress their operations by 50% and lease out the remaining space available on the property. Because of this, they needed their plumbing service lines split, including their stormwater, sewer, and potable water systems.

The team from Nuflow Tasman has an ongoing maintenance contract with Enzafoods, so they were enlisted for the task. An added bonus for Enzafoods – their base of operations was just down the road!

As the team was working on separating the services and conducting CCTV camera inspections for surveillance reasons, they noticed a structural issue with the 1050mm reinforced concrete stormwater drain pipe.

Asset locations make for big pipeline problems

The service lines of the Enzafoods property were all in one trench, and it appeared that 4m of the storm drain pipeline had been damaged during the installation of other assets. The contractor handling the installation likely struggled to get the depth they needed, and as a result, caused damages to the top of the stormwater system.

This damage had gone unnoticed until the team from Nuflow Tasman had come in to do their work. Had the damage continued to go undetected, the impacts would have been significant. The nature of the work on site meant there was a lot of traffic loading, with trucks constantly going in and out. This could have resulted in the pipe caving in, causing a slump, and putting pressure on the services above. The more the structural integrity was compromised, the more likely it could have caused the services to burst, which is a much bigger and more costly problem to fix.

This made finding a solution vital. Because there was live power, fire mains, and water mains over the damaged pipeline, things couldn’t be fixed from above without major works. Plus, the sheer size of the pipeline would have made for extensive excavations. Luckily, Nuflow’s pipe relining was able to save the day.

Informed assessments reveal Sumoline solution

First up, Nuflow Tasman requested details from the client around traffic loadings, soil density and other important data so they could be as well informed as possible in the creation of a custom, fit-for-purpose liner. Once this information was obtained, the team was able to leverage the expertise of Nuflow’s technical and installation support division.

Together, they decided that Sumoline would be the best solution to fit. This liner has been specifically designed to structurally repair infrastructure where load bearing capacity is critical, making it perfect for a storm drain in a high traffic area. The idea was proposed to the drainage engineer, who promptly approved it.

The large size of the pipe required the creation of a custom 6m vinyl bladder for curing purposes, so once this was done and all the relevant testing completed, Nuflow Tasman was able to get started.

An installation against the tide

In order to safely complete the work, traffic needed to be diverted around the two manholes Nuflow Tasman would be using as access points to complete the reline. This was done very easily, with little impact to the business. The reline itself however, posed a unique challenge.

Because of the location of the stormwater system, ground water infiltration could become a problem and affect the relining materials. This meant that the team had to work around the tides when installing and inflating the bladder for curing.

Of course, because the majority of the curing needed to happen overnight, ground water intrusion from high tide still posed an issue. This is where Nuflow Tasman’s close proximity to the site came in handy. Project lead, Mike, set up a water pump and checked it throughout the night until the tide went out. He didn’t want to risk any compromise to the reline and demonstrated Nuflow’s commitment to quality with his efforts.

After the curing was completed and the bladder removed, there was just one more thing to do. The damaged section contained a lateral, which is a section of pipe that branches away and feeds water from the downpipes of surrounding buildings into the stormwater system. This lateral was covered during the relining process, so that section needed to be removed in order to fully restore the system. Nuflow Tasman used a milling machine to drill this out and return things to better than new.

From there, they logged the job in the Nuflow app, recorded batch numbers and materials for quality control, and provided a GPS mark of the installation site.

Nuflow Tasman saves the day

Enzafoods was very happy with the end result. Not only did Nuflow Tasman save them from a big headache down the line if the problem hadn’t been detected, they were also spared from a full replacement. This would have been a massive excavation that majorly restricted operations. Plus, a range of professionals would have been required to look after the different service lines above the stormwater system. That made the relining work from the Nuflow team a big cost and time saver.

Talk to Nuflow today

If you need any kind of pipe repair, structural or otherwise, we can help. Nuflow offers a range of relining solutions to suit a range of plumbing and pipe problems, so give us a call and see what we could do for you.

The post Nuflow Tasman changes the tides for major exporter with stormwater system repair appeared first on Nuflow.

Backdropped by some impressive aircraft and armed with all the safety clearances they required, the team got to work and prevented some potentially disastrous results for the base project with their relining solution.

Arrival of new aircraft leaves little room for delays

In 2023, four Poseidon P-8As (P8s) will arrive at the Ohakea base to replace the current aircraft that have been in operation since the 1960s. To house these impressive machines, the construction of two massive 180m x 60m two-storey hangers is currently underway. This $250 million, 400-man project has been dubbed Te Whare Toroa, after the albatross on the crest of the No 5 Squadron who will operate the aircraft.

Construction company, Fulton Hogan, is taking charge of the project, where they will build a heavy-duty tarmac capable of handling four P8s, as well as the platform hanger and taxiway. There is a whole supply chain contributing to the process, with companies hired by Fulton Hogan to handle various elements of the build. One of these is Nuflow Manawatu, who for the past two years has been on site completing a variety of duties around drainage, utilities, and three waters infrastructure.

When undergoing a quality assurance inspection of the stormwater infrastructure before handing that section of the project over, Fulton Hogan noticed a large crack around a section of the 225ml concrete stormwater pipe. This was a huge problem, but luckily, they knew just the company to fix it.

New infrastructure makes relining the only option

The stormwater pipes in question were placed in between two 100,00L fire tanks that had been built for the new hangers. This meant digging up and replacing the pipes was an unviable option, at least without significant time, manpower, resources and cost involved. Plus, the new planes were expected within a specific timeframe and any delays could majorly impact the schedule. Leaving the pipes wasn’t an option either since, without repairs, the pipe would collapse and be potentially catastrophic for all the new infrastructure. 

Fulton Hogan needed an alternative that would be fast, effective, and non-intrusive. The team at Nuflow Manawatu were perfect for the job and a saving grace for a timely solution, since the only other option for the fix would have been an 8 hour drive away.

Sumoline structurally relines the stormwater pipe

When Nuflow Manawatu received the official job order, they sent it on to Head Office via the Nuflow Quality Assurance App. From there, Head Office engineers were able to assess the conditions of the job and find the best relining solution to fit the specifications – Sumoline.

Sumoline is Nuflow’s strongest CIPP relining system, and was specifically designed to structurally repair built infrastructure where load-bearing capacity is critical. This makes it ideal for relining stormwater pipes. Plus, the client needed a fully structured reliner, so this was perfect for the job at hand. With its ability to improve flow capacity and infrastructure strength, Fulton Hogan’s engineer was more than happy to approve its implementation.

The construction and general running of the base continued around the team as they completed the stormwater relining, which took three days in total. The first was spent conducting a visit to the site and sending a camera down the pipeline which was accessed through a manhole.

On the second day, a light clean of the pipeline was completed, and a 5m section of Sumoline was installed. After curing for 20hrs, the team came back on the third day to remove the relining equipment and send the camera back down for final checks.

“This was our first time using Sumoline,” says project lead and Nuflow Manawatu owner, Matt Nieper.“It’s always great to have the opportunity to increase the capability of our team, and their experience with Nuflow’s relining process means things went off without a hitch.”

Because of the nature of the job, a high level of safety was required, but every member of the Nuflow team always makes this a high priority. That made it easy to ensure that all appropriate safety measures were in place and the job went smoothly.

Nuflow’s quality assurance saves the day

Nuflow Manawatu’s fast and efficient relining of the storm drain pipe meant that the project could resume its planned schedule. Everyone involved was thrilled that they could avoid massive costs associated with replacing the pipe and that it could be completely structurally relined with no issue.

Plus, thanks to Nuflow’s quality assurance processes, the client can have peace of mind knowing that every part of the stormwater relining was done to the highest standard. They received both the before and after camera footage, as well as the GPS coordinates of the relined section’s exact location. This, combined with the 50 year warranty on the work, meant that they could rest easy – especially with the arrival of the P8 aircraft imminent. 

Contact Nuflow for help

Are you dealing with a similar issue and don’t want to worry about the expense or disruption of replacing your pipes? No matter if it’s a residential, commercial, or industrial issue, Nuflow has the means to fix things better than new. Get in touch with us today.

The post Nuflow’s stormwater relining at Base Ohakea appeared first on Nuflow.

Nuflow has the resources, equipment and innovative plumbing solutions ready to successfully complete a wide range of work at all kinds of job sites. No matter if it’s a residential property with a broken pipe line or a commercial business dealing with a costly leak, we’ve got it covered. In fact, Nuflow Sydney City’s job at Taronga Zoo was a combination of the two – if you consider Charlie’s home a residence, that is.

Sealing needed for seal enclosure

A local construction company was hard at work installing a desalinisation system amongst the pipework of the seal cove, when they realised water was leaking into the manhole pit behind the zoo. Knowing they needed to find the source of the leak, they drained the seal pool and ran a camera down the 34m run of 190mm steel pipe. That’s when they found the pipeline crack that was causing the leak.  

Because the pipe ran under the enclosure, the gift shop, the back entrance of the zoo, as well as the backroad towards the wharf, replacing the pipe wasn’t an option. That level of excavation would have been an extremely costly, time consuming, and disruptive venture – especially with school holidays right around the corner.  Relining was the best option, so the construction company set about finding someone they could count on to complete the job to a high standard and within a tight timeframe.

Relining solution for a pipe flange meant Nuflow was the only one for the job

When a Sydney-based plumbing company was approached for the job, they had to turn it down since they didn’t have the equipment needed to complete a project of that scale. Fortunately, they knew someone who could, and that someone was Nuflow.

Based on this referral, the construction company got in touch with Nuflow Sydney City. They had tried a few other re-liners, but none could make the same promise as Nuflow, and their solution wasn’t able to cap both ends to form a full reline. This is an important distinction, because without lining the pipe flange end that connected to the shut off valve, there was potential for water to get in between the pipe and the relining material, which would cause further leaks.

Confined spaces can’t stop Nuflow’s high quality work

After hearing what was needed for the job, Nuflow Sydney City’s head re-liner Michael got in touch with Head Office. He worked alongside the head re-liner for special projects to decide how long each section of the reline should be, how to add the pipe flange end, whether to smooth coat, and other important technical elements. After considering a few different methods, they decided that Blueline was the way to go.

Michael recommended this solution to Taronga Zoo and shared all the technical information around it. They were particularly impressed with their plan for the flange end, and the fact that they could make it into a fully encased system. The 50-year warranty didn’t hurt either.

Once everything was approved, the team got to work. The pit where the original leak was identified was the main point of access, meaning the back road it was situated on needed to be shut down, and confined space equipment was required to get the job done.  

The first day was spent relining 15m of the pipeline, as well as the flange end. Once the resin was installed and dried, they were able to drill out the holes that would connect it back to the shut off valve. The second day consisted of relining another 17m of the pipe, and the third involved installing a flexi liner on the bend that went up to the pool. The last day was spent smooth coating the top to make it a complete system. In total, 34ml of 190ml Blueline was used, completely customised to the dimensions of the pipe outlay.

Satisfied customers all around  

Nuflow Sydney City got the job done just in time for school holidays, with no disruptions to operations, or destruction to any property. If any other company had been on the job, they likely wouldn’t have got it done in time, and a replacement would have been very invasive.  

Throughout the job, the construction company was the main point of contact, who reported that working with the team was absolutely seamless. With great communication and constant progress updates, they knew exactly what was happening at all times.

Everyone was thrilled with the final result, with someone in particular especially pleased to have their home back. You can check out Charlie enjoying Nuflow’s work below.

Contact Nuflow for help with your special pipe problems 

No matter how obscure or specific your pipe problems are, Nuflow has a solution. We have advanced commercial plumbing solutions at our finger tips, and the whole network is ready to put their heads together and come up with a plan to resolve your unique issue. Get in touch with the team today. 

The post Nuflow seals up pipeline cracks at Taronga Zoo in time for school holidays appeared first on Nuflow.

Here at Nuflow, we’ve identified the issues we come across most often as well as the common causes. It’s important to be able to diagnose plumbing problems, and know what to do when they arise to make sure they don’t get progressively worse.

Blocked pipes and drains

Luckily, it’s pretty obvious when you’re facing issues with a blocked pipe or drain. The signs are immediate, whether it be a slow-emptying sink or shower water that doesn’t want to go down the drain. It’s best to tackle this plumbing problem quickly, and prevent it from becoming a much bigger issue.

What causes it?

There are a few things that might be clogging up your pipes and drains. It could be:

• a blockage, like a build-up of fats, oils, scum, hair, or food scraps that have been washed down the sink
• poorly planned configuration, causing things to get trapped in a bend or protruding junction
• tree roots that have made their way into your pipes through tiny cracks and grown out to fill the space
• a break or split in the pipe, which has trapped matter or caused soil to collapse inside it

At Nuflow, we’ve even seen cases of cement finding its way into a pipe during construction and solidifying later!

How to fix it

It could be a quick fix, so it’s always a good idea to try clearing it yourself first. You can do this by pouring boiling water down the drain to loosen up any build-ups. If that doesn’t work, have a crack with a plunger or some chemical drain cleaning products.

If the issue still isn’t resolved, you’ll need to call in professional help. They can use pressure cleaners to blast away blockages, and if needed, Nuflow’s pipe relining can fix any breaks with minimal disruption.

Leaking taps

The washer is a part within your tap that sits on something called a valve seat. These pieces work together to form the tap’s seal at the base and stop water getting through. When the washer gets damaged, or the valve seat is corroded, this can cause the tap to leak. It’s the same for the O ring, which sits just under the handle cover. If it gets worn out, water will start to drip through. It can also be a case of a bad installation.

What causes it?

The washer is a part within your tap that sits on something called a valve seat. These pieces work together to form the tap’s seal at the base and stop water getting through. When the washer gets damaged, or the valve seat is corroded, this can cause the tap to leak. It’s the same for the O ring, which sits just under the handle cover. If it gets worn out, water will start to drip through. It can also be a case of a bad installation.

How to fix it

If you feel confident with a bit of DIY, you can take your tap apart and check the condition of the O ring, washer, and valve seat. If anything looks to be on its last legs, you can choose to replace it yourself.

When problems persist, or you don’t feel confident tackling it on your own, you may have to call in an expert. This job is much easier to do with professional plumbing tools and you can rest assured knowing it’s been fixed correctly.  

Low water pressure 

Low water pressure can be one of the most frustrating plumbing problems out there. You’ll likely know as soon as you turn on your water and are met with a disappointing drip that your water pressure is low. It makes simple tasks, like washing the dishes or showering, much more difficult than they have to be – not to mention annoying!  Weak water pressure can come on with no warning or gradually get worse over time.  

What causes it?

You might find the dip in your water pressure is be due to a water main break. If your neighbours are experiencing the same thing, this is likely the cause. Otherwise, it might be due to a build-up of calcium, minerals, or sediment in your taps and showerheads, or in the pipes themselves. These build-ups significantly slow your water flow.

How to fix it

First things first, get in and get your hands dirty by giving your taps and shower heads a good clean. We recommend unscrewing the ends so you can remove the aerators, and soaking them in vinegar or other cleaning products to eliminate any calcium build up. If that doesn’t solve the issue, the build-up may be in the pipe itself. A professional can clear this with a pressure cleaner, and blast away any sediment that’s impacting your water flow.

Backed up sewer    

This is a big one, and probably the worst plumbing problem to deal with. But how do know it’s happening? Well, you could be facing a number of smaller issues that might seem unrelated, like multiple drain and toilet blockages, but these are symptoms of a much larger problem. Plus, there will be a pretty nasty smell permeating through your home.

What causes it?

Your backed up sewer could be thanks to issues with the main sewer being clogged. Otherwise, old sewer lines are often made from cast iron or clay, making them prone to collapse. These materials, combined with the warm, damp soil that surrounds them, also makes it easy for tree roots to get inside, or to surround and crush your pipes.

How to fix it

Sadly, this is not a problem you can fix on your own. Call in the professionals, and they can assess the damage and let you know whose responsibility it is to get it repaired. If the sewer that’s causing the issues is not on your property, then it falls to the local water authority. If it is on you to correct, the experts can suggest the easiest, most cost-effective method for resolving the plumbing problem. Find out more about responsibilities surrounding pipe ownership here.

Call Nuflow for help

If you’re dealing with plumbing problems related to your pipes, it’s time to give Nuflow a call. We’ll use our CCTV camera to identify and locate the issue, then determine the best way to proceed. Our pressure cleaners can easily remove blockages and build-ups, and if there are any further damages, our pipe relining can save the day. This non-invasive method is cost effective and timely, meaning your plumbing problems will be resolved in no time. Get in touch today.

The post Common plumbing problems and how to fix them appeared first on Nuflow.

This was the exact problem facing a North Island gas fired power company in New Zealand. Steel pipes that fed into their gas burner were on their last legs, and replacing all of them was looking to be a time-consuming project with a hefty price tag. With plans to close in the next few years, this option didn’t seem worth the large expense. Luckily for the power company, Nuflow had exactly the solution they needed.

Steel pipes corroded by acidic condensation

The power station was commissioned back in 1999, and the pipework of their heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) was originally all carbon steel. The HRSG has natural gas duct burners that supply additional heat, so it can create more steam if needed, depending on demand. The problem is, over time the gas path had suffered severe internal corrosion due to condensation from the exhaust gasses. The condensate is acidic, and sits at the bottom of the steel pipe, eating it away.

In the past, the team at the power station had replaced the damages with stainless steel pipes, but the final elbow of the gas path before it enters the burner is difficult to replace. It would have taken about a week to swap just one out, and they were looking at 6 replacements. With the costs of labour, materials, scaffolding, and other miscellaneous add-ons, they would have been looking at a minimum of 6 weeks work, costing them tens of thousands of dollars.

With the power station closing in 3 to 5 years, this expense was just not viable, but hoping the pipes would hold up wasn’t an option either. Left as is, they would undoubtedly corrode through, a safety issue the team wanted to avoid given the high-pressure gas within the pipes.  

Senior Mechanical Engineer, Rachelle, knew they needed a natural gas line repair solution that would be a timelier, more cost effective alternative to a full replacement. When she looked into it, she discovered Nuflow’s pipe relining technology, leading her to reach out to the team.

HTAR resin gets pipes into top quality condition

Rachelle explained the situation to Nuflow Wellington owner, Simon, who assessed the best possible solution. The external surface of the elbow closest to the HRSG was about 90°C, and the exhaust gases themselves were 530°C, so Simon knew the solution would have to withstand high temperatures.

He was familiar with HTAR (high temperature, acid resistant) resin, but since it had never been used for this kind of job, he wanted to be sure it was the best option. He contacted Nuflow’s head office and had a chat to the chemist in charge of developing the resins, who was confident that HTAR resin was more than up to the task. So, Simon let Rachelle know that Nuflow had the answer to her problem.  

The power station had an annual shut down period in June when all necessary maintenance could be done. Simon and lead installer, Greg, travelled down during this time get the relining sorted. It took a total of two days on site to get all 6, 80ml steel pipe bends relined with the HTAR resin.

In fact, there was only around 3 to 4 hours of work within this time, the bulk of which was on the first day during the installation of the HTAR resin. Day 2 was simply a matter of removing the bladder and trimming it up, leaving the relined gas pipes as good as new.  

Another Nuflow client left satisfied

Rachelle and the whole team at the power station couldn’t have been happier with Nuflow’s gas pipe repair. All maintenance was completed within the shutdown period, and the cost was significantly lower than it would have been for full replacements.  

Rachelle even sent through a photo of the gas pipes months after Simon and Greg left, and the relining looked as good as the day it was installed. The power station was seeking something that would have lasted 3 to 5 years, and instead were delivered a solution that will stand the test of time well after the power station shuts down.

This permanent solution meant yet another happy Nuflow customer, who has complete peace of mind that the newly relined pipes won’t be an issue again.   

Need a similar solution? Nuflow’s here to help.

Need a gas pipe reline or something similar? Nuflow has top quality alternatives to replacing pipes, so if you find your business facing maintenance issues, you know exactly who to call. Nuflow can provide long lasting solutions that won’t break your bank, so get in touch with us today.  

The post Nuflow’s pipe relining solution saves gas fired power station thousands appeared first on Nuflow.