How to Stop
Water Inflow & Infiltration
I & I - Repair
Texas – A Municipal Water District was experiencing heavy groundwater infiltration at the pre-cast cold joints in multiple Lift Stations in a new housing development
After previous attempts to stop an inflow and infiltration water leak using low pressure and mastic waterstop had failed, the Municipal Wastewater District reached out to SealBoss looking for a turn-key system that could withstand the hydrostatic pressures, causing active leaks in a lift pump station and seal them permanently with minimal effort, expense and resources.
Time of repair was a key factor due to the need for special permits, including a confined space permit, and lane closure requirements with traffic control for use of truck mounted equipment.
Municipal Wastewater Pump Station Infiltration Repair
With the recommendation of Chemical Grouting, following previous failures and repair attempts, the Wastewater Conveyance Team was interested in a demo of the system including an on-the-jobsite training. A SealBoss technical representative made the drive down from Kansas City to in order to demonstrate the chemical grouting system and assist the Water & Sewer Utility Provider in the installation and repair.
After arriving at the location, the leak was evaluated and a strategy for injection was formulated.
To initiate the injection plan, the first step was to drill holes in the pit. These holes were spaced approximately 12 to 18 inches apart and positioned 4 inches above the cold joint. They were drilled at a 45-degree angle, extending back into the joint. Subsequently, the holes were flushed using a squirt bottle until clean water was refused, and high-quality mechanical packers were then installed.
Following an in-depth training on the use and cleaning of the very quiet and compact SealBoss P2002-1C Injection Pump and the use of SealBoss 1510 NSF Certified Water Stop Foam, the trainee applicator climbed back in the manhole to run the pump system by himself.
To expedite the foam production process for the active leak repair, SealBoss 15X Catalyst was utilized at a slightly higher percentage than the standard recommendation of 10% volume.
The procedure involved injecting from one end of the main line pipe until resin or foam was visible at the cold joint, and subsequently spraying some water to initiate the reaction.
Municipal Wastewater Lift Pump Station
Inflow & Infiltration (I&I) Repair with
Water Stop Foam
How to seal unexpected leaks during the injection repair
Sometimes concrete cracks and spalls form during the packer installation or injection process. Drilling holes can occasionally become to wide for the intended packer to fit. For these kinds of situations it is recommended to have Seal Oakum and various sized Injection Packers on hand.
In this specific application, as injection continued around the joint, one of the holes was apparently drilled too close to the joint and subsequently spalled out, causing it to leak significantly.
With a quick dredge of the oakum in catalyzed SealBoss 1510 Water Stop Foam, a bag of Soaked Oakum was sent down into the manhole and held in place by the applicator over the leaking spall. After about two minutes of holding the oakum in place, the leak had stopped.
The area was then injected on either side of the installed oakum to fill any remaining voids and to seal the joint permanently.
All leaks were completely stopped within 90 minutes time. The total time on site amounted to two hours.
SealBoss Proven Injection Products for Quality Results
- Professional Polymers
- Premium Packers
- Powerful Pumps
– Easy To Use, Clean, Maintain
– Modular &, Compact Designs
– Single and Multi Component
– Electric and Pneumatic
– Heavy Duty For Daily Use
SealBoss Support & Training
In Person and Video training is available upon request, contact SealBoss today to speak to your regional technical representative on our SealBoss full system solutions and offerings.
