Florida Community Association - August 2008

Pipe Restoration
ePIPE Might be the Answer

By Justin Diemert

Properties across the nation have one thing in common; their water piping systems have or will ultimately fail.

The pipe restoration industry began with the idea to place a epoxy barrier coating to the interior surface of already installed piping systems to protect against corrosion and extend the useful life of the piping system. What has come to pass over the last 10 years is a product and process that has revolutionized the plumbing industry in many ways. Today pipe restoration is guided by both the International Plumbing Code (IPC®) and the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC®). Considering pipe restoration, it is a good idea to check to make sure pipe restoration products are listed or approved under the appropriate codes in your local area.

Before copper pipes became common place in water delivery systems galvanized steel pipes were often used. A galvanized pipe is a steel pipe that has had a zinc coating, a form of a barrier coating, applied to it during the manufacturing stage. Unfortunately, the galvanized coating deteriorates with time and the unprotected pipe begins to rust and eventually fails.. The rust builds up inside the pipe, impeding water flow and often shows up as rusty colored water. The end result is a piping system that has lost integrity, leaks and delivers rusty water at a low volume.

Horizon House is a 46 year old 126 unit residential cooperative on Clearwater Beach. Its domestic water system including hot and cold water for the entire building had been in desperate need for repair in recent years.

“Horizon House residents had experienced plumbing problems for several years. These included leaks and decay in some of the galvanized pipes and clogging within others due to the buildup of corrosion, which also created water of various colors,” said Cliff Albrecht, Association Manager for the Horizon House of Clearwater.

The residents were complaining of rusty water and poor water flow coming from their fixtures. If left unsolved, there was a potential for greater damage within the buildings infrastructure. The community board convened a committee to evaluate and select a method to rectify their problem. As the committee began to look for a potential solution, two options began to surface, repipe or restore the pipes in-place, using proven pipe restoration techniques. Horizon House chose the a US patented method of pipe restoration, commonly referred to as ePIPE. Wikipedia, describes ePIPE as: ePIPE is an epoxy lined pipe and process that creates a barrier coating on the inside of the pipe. It has the capability to rehabilitate pressurized pipes including potable water, fire sprinklers and natural gas lines ranging in diameter from 3/8 of an inch to six inches.

Pipes are restored in-place i.e. right in the walls or ceilings without dismantling the whole piping system or having to tear up walls or floors. ePIPE rehabilitation provides a barrier coating protecting the pipe from internal corrosion, repairs pinhole leaks and prevents the leaching of heavy metals into the water supply, such as copper and lead.

“We investigated pipe replacement, but determined that due to the pipes being embedded in concrete, the teardown would be extensive and rehab of the walls, floors and ceilings would be very costly and intrusive on the shareholders. We therefore elected to go with the cleaning and epoxy lining approach,” Albrecht said.

The historical approach of repiping was simply not an attractive option when compared to the benefits of in-place pipe restoration. With pipe restoration there was little demolition and cutting into walls, ceilings and floors. Pipe restoration allowed the properties residents to maintain their quality of life through out the project.

The pipe restoration project was competed over a preplanned 27 week schedule.

“Throughout the 8 month project, things went as planned. With the involvement of our project manager, and our hands on committee, we were able to have a great working relationship with the ACE DuraFlo, ePIPE personnel,” Albrecht said. “We monitored every step of the project and they addressed any problems promptly. They also discovered several plumbing “oddities”, recommended and implemented cost effective remedies,” Albrecht added.

“Several shareholders wrote letters of appreciation to the Board and ACE DuraFlo’s ePIPE team commending the professionalism of the technicians working on the project. This was extremely important due to the length of time they were on the project and the water line shut downs scheduled during the process, were always coordinated in advance with the homeowners, there were no surprises” Albrecht said.

“With the project complete, the community feels it was well worthwhile. They now enjoy increased water flow, improved water quality and are guaranteed a leak free piping system.” Albrecht said.

Depending on the approvals, pipe restoration can applied to many different types of piping systems including those made of, copper steel, and non-metallic piping systems such as PEX or CPVC type materials.

Repipe or ePIPE, in-place pipe restoration, building owners now have a choice.