Problem: At the University of Pennsylvania, a seven-story residence hall required a complete pipe system overhaul within two months. The original cast iron roof drains and sewer pipes were clogged with decades of debris, calcium deposits and tuberculation. Progressive Pipeline Management recommended inspections, cleaning, brush-in-place pipe coating and UV CIPP to create seamless, structurally sound pipes. Compared to traditional replacement methods, the coatings offered faster solutions with minimal disruption to the historic building’s infrastructure.
Solution: Robotic CCTV inspections revealed extensive blockages, cracks and over 30 feet of obstructions in some sections. A multi-stage cleaning process with smart sweepers, 3D chain knockers, and cyclones cleared the pipes. The brushed coating used three applications of epoxy to create a corrosion and abrasion-resistant protective barrier. Multiple challenges were overcome including unexpected pipe configurations such as back-to-back 90-degree bends, cemented access points, and long stretches without access. Beneath the slab, rock-hard debris blocked more than one-third of the pipes, and a 4-foot sewer section was missing. Spot repairs and a 6-foot UV CIPP liner addressed these issues before the full UV-CIPP installation.
Result: The combination of the brushed coating process and UV CIPP significantly improved the piping system’s structural integrity, providing protection that extended the system’s life by up to 50 years. This was achieved at a fraction of the cost and time compared to full pipe replacement. 855-245-6344; www.progressivepipe.com
