If you are working with large mainline systems, commercial properties or simply private housing you’ll know the importance of cleaning and cutting pipelines for rehabilitation to ensure a better flow of water by removing blockages or preparing the pipe for a repair with a CIPP lining system.

When cleaning your pipe, you’ll never know what you’ll be up against, this is why you need to inspect first (Check out our range of inspection cameras and systems).

With so many varied materials that could be building up and causing blockages or causing break lines in your pipelines, there are an array of special attachments to remove; fats, oils, greases, concrete, failed liners, and roots.

Different pipeline issues can be fixed with different methods so let’s look at a few methods and tools you can use to clean and cut to prepare your pipes. 

FOGs and Tuberculation Removal

Firstly, you have grease – a common problem caused by carelessness. Fats, Oils and Grease (FOGs) can build up and clog pipes and can eventually become massive fatbergs. Did you know, the largest fatberg in the UK was 130 tons discovered in Whitechapel, London and was 250 metres long, some of it is actually on display in the Museum of London!

Secondly, you could find tuberculation build-up in cast iron pipes, this happens when there is a build of slime caused by iron-eating bacteria. As the pipes begin to dissolve the interior of the pipe becomes rough and jagged causing debris to build and clog, then restricting the flow of water or sewage.

To remove the build of tuberculation and FOGs and clean the pipe so it is back to full working order, innovative abrasive cleaning tools are your answer.

Grinding Chains are great multi-use tools that remove large build-ups of scale with their extremely effective cleaning features and size ranges to suit any diameter. Chains are designed for tough jobs and can be used in cast iron, concrete and clay pipes. Here at S1E, we stock a range of Picote drain cleaning tools, they offer a large range of grinding tools for high-speed cleaning with the Picote Miller Range. Together the combination of Picote Millers and Picote Cleaning Tools provides expert results, eliminating scale and removing blockages. With four types of Grinding Chains available you can choose how fast, large, and abrasive you need the cleaning to be. Find out more here:Picote cleaning chains (s1e.co.uk)

Specialised cleaning tools for scraping, could be a spring steel scraper, such as the Picote Smart Spider and Mini Smart Sweeper. The Smart Spider is a highly efficient tool, it is great at removing FOGs from pipes as well as descaling pipes which are damaged, where the bottom section is missing or where there are holes in the pipe – plus, they are even safe to use in PVC pipes. Meanwhile, the Mini Smart Sweeper is versatile enough to battle a variety of tough drain cleaning problems including, tuberculation, roots, and grease on a smaller scale and through 90° bends. Find out more here:Picote special cleaning tools including the Smart Spider and Sweeper (s1e.co.uk) 

Concrete and Lining Removal

Now, you may be asking what about the tougher blockages like concrete or lining? Commonly, you’ll find concrete blockages in pipes from contractors regularly washing cement or other building materials from tools down drains, or even simply pouring concrete down a drain. You also may be faced with having to remove a failed CIPP liner, which is just as tough as trying to remove concrete…unless you have the right tools to help!

For tougher blockages, you’re going to be looking at some sturdy cutters that will instantly grind and cut through. To resolve the issue of concrete or failed liners, you can look towards a mainline robotic cutter, or milling it out.

Our experts at Picote have a range of tools for reinstating lined connections and for cutting out failed liners, tough roots and other obstructions in pipes such as concrete. Picotes’ range of Twister Removers is getting the job done, again by combining the high-speed of their Milling Machine to break through the blockage. The new Tiger Twister Liner & Concrete Remover takes on two tough jobs with one even tougher tool that has dual front brushes to add stability, and a heavy-duty front metal panel with large carbides which ensures to grind through tough build-ups. Find out more:Tiger Twister Liner & Concrete Remover (s1e.co.uk)

If you’re working on mainline pipes, you’ll need to look at robotic cutters for grinding down concrete and rocks, as well as to cut into cured lining to reinstate existing connections in pipes. S1E are exclusive UK distributors for IBAK; the largest manufacturer of sewer inspection systems and is well known for high quality worldwide. IBAK’s MicroGater Air is the innovative pneumatic drain cutter equipped with a powerful compact motor and a range of specially designed cutting heads for liner and concrete removal, a 4th axle to tilt the head forward, and a CutterCam so you’ve always got a clear view with its pin-sharp image. Robotic Cutters such as IBAK MicroGater Air have become an ideal solution for service providers who are looking for a compact cutting system and at the same time want to benefit from the advantages of a complete inspection system. Find out more:IBAK Robotic Cutter (s1e.co.uk).


 

With several options to pick and choose from, these innovative tools to clean, cut and rehabilitate pipelines are enabling you to make significant savings as you no longer have to do costly excavation to remove failed CIPP linings, concrete, grout, slurry, and rocks from pipes. For more info and advice on which cleaning and cutting systems are most suitable for your next job, get in touch with the S1E Sales Team on 01226 397015 or email contact@s1e.co.uk.