NuFlow Services of Upstate NY successfully completed a massive pipe rehabilitation project at Andrews Tower, a 526-unit residential complex in Rochester, New York. Overcoming harsh winter conditions and limited access to the building's stacks, the team lined 2,654 feet of deteriorating pipe and completed 593 reinstatements using NuFlow’s NuTube Inversion equipment paired with UV pipe lining technology. The project, which required meticulous coordination with the general contractor and building staff, was completed on time with minimal disruption to residents.
The layout of the buildings added complexity to the project, as fewer than half of the stacks could be accessed from the roof. The height of the towers, combined with Rochester’s freezing conditions, required creative solutions to ensure minimal disruption to the lives of the residents. To meet these challenges, NuFlow worked in close coordination with the building’s general contractor and maintenance staff, prioritizing clear communication and detailed planning.
After weeks of preparation and investigation, the team at NuFlow Upstate NY developed a strategy that included dividing the work between two specialized crews. The first crew focused on cleaning the stacks with Picote tools the day before lining, while the second crew used NuFlow’s NuTube Inversion equipment paired with UV pipe lining technology to install the liners. This innovative combination allowed for faster curing times despite the winter conditions, increased durability, and ensured a quick turnaround for each section of pipe. To handle the 593 reinstatements, the team used an IMS Micro S cutter, ensuring precise and efficient reconnections to the building’s plumbing system.
NuFlow was able to maintain a daily pace of installing over 100 feet of liner and handling 18 to 40 reinstatements per liner, completing the day’s work by 5 p.m. to minimize resident inconvenience. Coordination between NuFlow, the general contractor, and the building’s maintenance team was crucial to the project’s success. Daily construction updates and a detailed spreadsheet tracking liner lengths and reinstatement totals ensured that progress stayed on schedule.
Despite the scale and complexity of lining the 4-inch cast iron stacks in two towers, NuFlow’s team adapted quickly and became highly efficient. The 2,654 feet of pipe were lined with precision, and the project was completed within the agreed-upon timeline, much to the satisfaction of both the building management and the general contractor. This was the first time the general contractor had worked on a stack lining project, and they were impressed by the professionalism and expertise of NuFlow’s team.
The successful combination of NuFlow’s NuTube Inversion equipment, UV pipe lining technology, and the precision of the IMS cutter resulted in a high-quality solution that exceeded expectations. The project was not only completed on time but with minimal disruption to residents, showcasing NuFlow’s ability to handle large-scale, complex projects under challenging conditions. In recognition of this achievement, NuFlow Services of Upstate NY was awarded the coveted "NuFlow Technologies Project of the Year," highlighting the team’s innovation, efficiency and dedication.
