Pipe Spraylining with ERGELIT

Pipe renovation using ERGELIT dry mortar is the urban developer’s economical, high quality alternative to complete replacement of a conduit.

The pipe which needs renovating is first flushed through with the usual cleansing equipment, so that it is free of deposits and the worst of the pollution. Hard deposits such as concrete etc and roots that have grown through or internally projecting connections should be milled away with an automatic hammer-bore nozzle. After that, the pipe must be cleaned up using a rotary spray-head: normal pressure of 100 bar (400 litres of water per minute) has delivered outstanding results in the past. The maximum pressure is 700 bar.

Where only small amounts of water are being drained during dry weather, this special cleaning can be carried out without the need for flow to be interrupted. Where larger amounts are involved, the flow will have to be interrupted. This is achieved by diverting the flow of wastewater. Service connections do not need to be blocked off: these are only sealed off immediately before the point to be renovated either where they join the mains or in inspection shafts.

Thanks to the short setting time of ERGELIT mortar, flow need only be interrupted in the wastewater system while work is actually being carried out. Wastewater can flow again 4 hours after the end of the relining process. No water can be allowed to flow during the spraylining procedure. Any water ingress through holes or joints must be sealed off with ERGELIT injection mortar before relining begins.

The ERGELIT dry mortar KS 1 or KS 2 is mixed with water on site. It is pumped by hose from the mixer to the point of application and sprayed on to the surface by means of a centrifuge pump. The high centrifugal force ensures excellent adhesion to the substrate, and this adhesion is enhanced by bonding agents which are included in the KS mortar (- see technical specifications). Mortar must be prevented from straying into service connections.

Once the ERGELIT mortar has cured, the result will be a complete bond between the old , damaged pipe and new pipe lining – which will be effective for decades. Figures based on empirical observations of this process go back to 1982.

Trench cutting or other earthworks are not necessary where pipes are standard. From 600 mm upwards, the spraylining machines are self-powered and remote- controlled on site.