Bill Howe Plumbing partnered with a local children’s hospital to rehabilitate the underground plumbing for a new skilled nursing center. Confronted with deteriorating cast iron pipes and the prospect of a costly, disruptive replacement, the project team chose CIPP lining to restore 1,670 linear feet of piping. This approach not only saved costs but also accelerated the facility’s opening. Both the hospital and the general contractor were highly satisfied with the efficient and noninvasive solution.
The problem
A local children’s hospital acquired a vacant mid-century facility adjacent to its campus with plans to transform it into a skilled nursing and subacute center for children and adolescents with complex medical, physical, and developmental needs. Significant infrastructure updates were needed to meet the unique requirements of the facility. One major challenge was the presence of deteriorating cast iron piping. The original plan called for saw-cutting, excavating, and replacing all the underground waste piping connected to 152 fixtures — a process that would have been both costly and highly invasive.
The plumbing contractor on the project, Bill Howe Plumbing, a NuFlow Certified Contractor, introduced the hospital and the general contractor to NuDrain Cured-In-Place Pipe lining as an alternative solution. After an on-site demonstration, it became clear that lining would be a less disruptive and more cost-effective method to rehabilitate the pipes without excavation. All parties quickly agreed on moving forward with the trenchless pipe repair solution.
The challenge
The project faced several challenges that required careful planning and coordination. One of the primary challenges was the accelerated timeline, which demanded that two teams work simultaneously on opposite sides of the property to stay on schedule. Additionally, the scope of work was extensive, as the client requested that no existing pipe be left untouched. This meant that every fixture and connection had to be lined, including the installation of 37 connection liners at all fittings, along with brush coating applied to water closet trap arms. Limited accessibility also posed a challenge, as many trade contractors were working on site at the same time, restricting access to both the piping and the workspaces. This required detailed logistical coordination to ensure efficiency. Furthermore, the wet-out area was limited, meaning there was minimal space available for staging materials and equipment, adding to the complexity of the project.
The solution
The Bill Howe team collaborated closely with the general contractor to implement efficient on-site logistics, ensuring the project’s successful completion. The scope of work involved rehabilitating 1,670 linear feet of cast iron piping, including all connections to 152 fixtures and the main sewer lines. Disruption was minimized by limiting the project to just eight manual excavations required to install clean-outs on the 4-inch and 6-inch mainlines. The team also leveraged the newly acquired Picote connection collar system to install 37 connection liners and apply brush coating, gaining valuable experience and training for future projects. Completed in just 77 days, the project adhered to an aggressive schedule. By utilizing CIPP lining, other trades were able to begin their work months earlier than originally planned, allowing the facility to open ahead of schedule.
The outcome
The use of NuFlow’s trenchless pipe repair not only reduced costs but also accelerated the overall project timeline. The hospital and general contractor were highly satisfied with the outcome, praising the efficiency and effectiveness of the NuFlow system. By avoiding full pipe replacement, the project saved significant time and money, helping bring this important facility online sooner for the benefit of its young patients.
