In a noteworthy display of skill and teamwork, JB Drainage Services, with the expert assistance of S1E, successfully completed a challenging patch repair on a domestic clay pipe, much to the relief of a local resident.

In Wetherby, North Yorkshire Jonathan Lawn from JB Drainage Services was faced with a significant issue with a 4” clay pipe showing a substantial void. On visiting the property he found a partial collapsed foul drain, causing her to have no toilet facilities at home. 

Due to the location, there was a concern that it was not the best option to do an excavation repair, leading to a no dig repair option. Uncertain about executing the repair, Jonathan sought assistance from Tony Hickman at S1E, known for handling unconventional drainage repairs.

Tony Hickman, the Technical Sales Manager at S1E said:"Jonathan contacted me regarding a tricky patch repair he wasn’t sure could be fixed. After reviewing the situation, I was confident we could achieve a no-dig repair despite the pipe's condition."

Upon inspecting the site, undertaking a clean and survey of the pipe, a clear picture showed that there was virtually no pipe left at all over a localised area measuring approximately 150mm. The repair required innovative thinking and several trial runs. The initial attempts to position the pencil packer (70-100mm) over the void were unsuccessful. 

However, after bouncing ideas of each other for a solution, Tony proposed an unconventional solution:using a cut-down plastic water bottle to guide the packer over the void without resistance. This method proved effective during a test run. 

A test inflation inside a perforated pipe section determined the necessary pressure to avoid damaging the pipe further.

Tony, commented:"We needed a minimum pressure of 3.1 bar to ensure proper contact without risking further damage. After preparing a fiberglass mat and ensuring adequate coverage with our Pipe Doctor Patch Repair range, the patch was installed and left to cure for two hours."

The Pipe Doctor No-Dig Pipe Repair range delivers professional contractors a permanent and watertight finish to damaged pipes, every time. After deflating and removing the packer, a post-CCTV survey confirmed the repair's success, much to the delight of the homeowner. 

Jonathan, JB Drainage Services Ltd:"I knew excavation wasn't an option. Tony’s experience was invaluable. We conducted numerous dry runs with various methods until Tony suggested using a plastic water bottle to guide the packer over the void. This unconventional solution worked perfectly."

He added:" Once again S1E came to the rescue. Thanks to Tony’s wealth of knowledge, my gofer skills, and a £1 water bottle, we achieved our goal. The customer was incredibly happy, and it's moments like these that make our work truly rewarding."

This team effort between customer and supplier highlights the importance of collaboration, and persistence in resolving complex drainage issues. Jonathan's initiative to seek expert assistance from S1E, coupled with Tony's creative problem-solving skills to create an unconventional yet simple solution, resulted in a successful no-dig repair and restoring the homeowner's facilities.