Non-pressurized pipes can fail for a variety of reasons, from excessive clogs and tree root growth, to old age. Such was the case for the pipes in the Pearson on the Park condominiums, located at 222 East Pearson in Chicago.
Full replacement of their system would cause massive disruption to tenants, and require costly demolition of walls and interior structures. To avoid these headaches, the property management group has decided to use pull-in-place pipe lining to restore the system.
Pull-in-place pipe lining is even less invasive than the Blown in Epoxy Lining method.
In our previously blogged about project - 1250 N. LaSalle - construction associated with pipe restoration was minimal, but most of the building's apartment units did have to be entered in order to access certain portions of the piping system.
With the pull-in-place pipe lining method, only five out of the 27 total units in the Pearson on the Park condominiums will need to be entered for the work to be completed successfully.
How can this be, you ask?
The patented, Nu Flow pull-in-place pipe lining process involves first inserting a scorpion cutter tool through several access points in the piping system. This tool clears out the roots, clogs or corrosion causing blockage. After the existing pipes are cleared, a flexible epoxy lining is pushed or pulled through the piping system from these same access points. This lining then inflates, and cures in place, which is why the product is referred to as cured-in-place pipe (CIPP).
When the lining inflates and adheres to the existing pipe's interior, it basically creates a kind of pipe within a pipe. The result is essentially a new pipe, installed without tearing down walls or affecting building infrastructure.
Watch these videos to see a before and after CIPP Pipe: