When it comes to pipe rehabilitation, it can be hard for councils to find equipment that is affordable, versatile and doesn’t require harsh chemicals. Since sewer, stormwater and drinking water pipes are valuable community assets, councils need long-term solutions.
Long-term solutions for pipe rehabilitation need to be low in maintenance and cost, have applications for a variety of asset management uses, and no use of hazardous chemicals which could end up in waterways.
Given water infrastructure maintenance can create considerable disruptions for communities, councils cannot afford to frequently repair water assets when there are long-lasting options available.
Versatile trenchless technology
Quick-Lock is a trenchless pipe repair solution developed by German company UHRIG and available at SECA, a leading supplier of cleaning, testing, inspection and rehabilitation equipment for pipes, sewers and drains. In 2023, Quick-Lock will celebrate 30 years in the industry.
Quick-Lock restores pipes, closes and seals unused laterals, reduces corrosion and leaks, remedies cracks and fragmentations, amongst many more uses. It implements pneumatically expanding rehabilitation sleeves and has been successfully used for many years as a closed-sewer repair method.
These devices can be used for sewer, stormwater and drinking water pipes, that are either horizontal or vertical, above or below water level.
Quick-Lock is also not restricted by weather conditions and is able to endure hot summers or cold winters.
Whether it’s point repair or liner end sealing, Quick-Lock has a variety of repair applications including:
∞ Cracks (longitudinal, radial and transverse)
∞ Leaks (groundwater infiltration and exfiltration)
∞ Root intrusions
∞ Joint displacements
∞ Pressure pipes
∞ Infiltration and exfiltration
∞ CIPP end protection and sealing
∞ Closing/sealing unused laterals
∞ Improving the structural strength of pipes
∞ Root penetration
Quick installation for effective repairs
Quick-Lock can be installed within a tight timeframe requiring minimal labour and overheads, and is easily transported to the repair point by a CCTV Crawler, push rod or robotic cutter system.
As a mechanical solution, it functions without hazardous chemicals and requires only minimal PPE for installation, making it a safer option for both the installation team, the community, and local waterways.
Quick-Lock works by, once in position, inflating the packer, then the special lock, which runs on a double-sided runway, locks the device and holds the sleeve firmly against the host pipe to seal the damage.
It moulds and forms part of the host pipe, which permanently seals the space between the sleeve and the pipe to protect against future infiltration – such as high pressure cleaning. After rehabilitation, the sleeve is able to absorb the natural tectonic movements of the host pipe as it forms its own static capability.
For liner end sealing, the end caps strengthen a cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) liner at its ends, where it’s most vulnerable. This is most effective on EX, spiral and UV cured liners as it is beneficial for long-term watertight lining projects.
Additionally, if the damage is longer than a single sleeve, multiple sleeves can be installed in sequence to form a continuous sealed pipe.
Do away with short-term fixes
Since installation doesn’t require digging, using Quick-Lock allows for fast and secure repairs with minimal preparation; which helps councils to avoid community disruptions. But most importantly this technology reduces the costs of further maintenance, which is commonly needed if short term solutions are implemented.
Quick-Lock is a combination of stainless-steel sleeve and an EPDM rubber sleeve which is chemically resistant to sewage, aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons, lye, and thinned acids, which means it minimises internal diameter loss and the need for other equipment in the future.
With a lifespan over 50 years, Quick- Lock is designed to outlast other rehabilitation methods, serving as a long-term investment and solution for councils and communities.
This is a sponsored editorial brought to you by SECA.
For more information on how SECA can assist local governments with a full range of water asset management solutions, head to www.seca.com.au
