A homeowner makes a DIY repair to a heavily corroded, stone damaged 50mm domestic water main supply pipe after excavation revealed it to be leaking from multiple places across a 2-metre section running underneath the driveway of their property.

Case Study Overview

Site Domestic property
Location Devon, UK
Pipe Type 50mm water supply pipe
Repair Type Leak repair and pipe reinforcement
Products Superfast Aqua PW Epoxy Putty, Liquid Metal Epoxy Coating, SylWrap HD Pipe Repair Bandage

Pipe Defect

Abnormal levels of water use alerted the homeowner to a potential leak somewhere in their supply system. The problem was soon identified to be in the water main supply pipe underneath the front driveway of the house.

Because the pipe connected the external stop tap on the public water network with the property, it was the responsibility of the homeowner to repair the leak.

Excavation of the 50mm pipe revealed a 2-metre section heavily corroded and with stones deeply imbedded at various points. The surface damage was severe enough to have breached the metalwork, leaving leaks in multiple places.

The state of the pipe meant leak repair alone would not be enough; the entire line needed strengthening to prevent it becoming stone damaged and corroded again in the future.

SylWrap Solution

Water supply was turned off at the external stop tap and the system drained. The homeowner then cleaned the pipe as thoroughly as possible, removing dirt and surface corrosion.

Next came the challenge of the stones. Many were imbedded so deep as to effectively be welded to the metal. Their removal therefore left craters in the pipe, creating even more surface damage.

Superfast Aqua PW Epoxy Putty was used to fill these craters and seal other leak areas identified after excavation. Superfast Aqua PW was chosen for its high wet surface adhesion; compensating for any water which may have been when the system was drained and could seep out during repair.

It also has WRAS Approval, meaning it is safe for use on pipes carrying drinking water. This was a requirement with the main bringing suppliers from the public water network into the property.

The putty was kneaded by hand and forced into all holes and craters in the pipe whilst soft. Within 20 minutes, it had cured to form a solid material which filled all areas of damage.

Liquid Metal Epoxy Coating was then applied to strengthen and refurbish the brittle metal. The homeowner painted 1kg of Liquid Metal in two coatings over the entire pipe and all joints. It set to create a new metallic, hard-wearing outer surface with high resistance to corrosion.

Final reinforcement came using SylWrap HD Pipe Repair Bandage, added whilst the final coating of Liquid Metal remained slightly tacky to improve adhesion between the composite wrap and pipework.

Three SYL309HD were wrapped across the entire 2-metre section, including around a 90-degree elbow and another difficult geometry where the pipe climbed a wall.

SylWrap HD cured within minutes, forming an impact resistant sleeve around to prevent stones imbedding themselves in the pipe in future.

Outcome

The repair was completed by the homeowner over a weekend. Day one for cleaning the pipe, removing debris and sealing holes. Day two for the application of Liquid Metal and SylWrap HD.

When water supply was turned back on following the repair, all leaks were found to have been successfully sealed. The refurbished pipe was then reburied.

Follow Up

The homeowner told Sylmasta after application they were very impressed by the strength of the repair. The combination of Superfast Aqua PW, Liquid Metal and SylWrap HD easily contained pipe content, as well as offering robust protection for the fully refurbished line after reburial.

Products Used

Superfast Aqua PW
WRAS approved epoxy putty which seals leaks and fills in other areas of surface damage

Liquid Metal
Epoxy coating used to strengthen weakened metal and protect against corrosion

SylWrap HD Bandage
Water-activated wrap sets rock hard, creating an impact resistant shell

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