10.

SLIPLINING SEWERS
The sliplining of sewers with PE pipe is a fine way to rehabilitate old sewers. By inserting PE pipe in old sewers you can create a
new, smooth, watertight interior surface that is far less prone to problems. Standard procedure is to have a continuous length
of watertight lining extend from one manhole to the next.

Polyethylene material used to manufacture pipe and fittings for sliplining is either a high-density polyethylene or a minimum
polyethylene. These materials must meet or exceed the minimum requirements for cell class 334433 or cell class 234333,
respectively, in accordance with ASTM D 3350. Check all ASTM standards prior to making an installation.

There are several considerations that must be reviewed prior to the sliplining procedure. You will need to establish the
minimum anticipated clearance that will exist between the lining material and the existing sewer pipe. Flow capacity is another
factor to establish. Will there be external loads on the pipe? What will the earth load be? Is hydrostatic pressure expected?
Internal pressure and construction loads are additional considerations. How will structural support of the pipe be creating with
grouting?

When large sewers are to be lined, they can be examined with video cameras. When you can’t gather visual data, it is generally
acceptable to plan on a lining diameter that is approximately 10 percent smaller than the diameter of the existing sewer pipe. A
difference of five percent is sometimes acceptable when the sewer pipe has a minimum diameter of 24 inches. A liner may
float if its diameter is too small. This is a especially true when a force main is lined.

Solid wall PE made in standard outside diameters and to standard dimension ratios (SDR). ASTM has a standard series of
rations from which SDRs are developed. The formula for finding a SDR is fairly simple. You divide the specified outside
diameter by the specified minimum wall thickness for pipe of solid wall construction. Evaluation of the SDR will show that the
lower the SDR, the stiffer the pipe wall. When working with force mains, the SDR must be based on pressure requirements for
the system.

When profile wall pipe is to be used, it’s important to remember that it is based on standard inside diameters and ring stiffness
constants (RSC). This, of course, is in accordance with ASTM requirements. Profile wall pipe can have reinforced walls to
strengthen the pipe against diametrical deformation. To obtain a RSC value, you divide the parallel plate load in pounds per foot
of pipe length by the deflection. Standard inside diameters for this type of pipe range from 18 to 120 inches.

Sufficient flow capacity for the anticipated hydraulics of a rehabilitated sewer system can be ensured by choosing the proper
inside diameter for the pipe liner. Wall stiffness of a liner pipe must be adequate to withstand external pressure from such
things as ground water.

10.1. PREPARATION
In preparation of lining a sewer there are steps to be taken on the job site. As you might imagine, the existing sewer pipe has to
be cleaned. When feasible, a video inspection should be made of the interior of the sewer. In many cases the flow of sewage
must be diverted. This can be done by plugging an upstream manhole and pumping sewage to a manhole that is downstream of
the work area. A pipe liner that is joined with gaskets can be installed in a flow stream. The decision to divert sewage flow is
one that has to be made on a case-by-case basis. Jobs that require more than one day to complete must be equipped to make
a temporary tie-in during the time that work is stopped.

10.2. BLOCKAGES
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10.2. BLOCKAGES
All blockages must be removed. Any obstruction is a risk and must be removed. Depending upon the circumstances, excavation
may be required to remove blockages. Care should be taken when making decisions on excavation plans. For example, plan an
excavation that will minimize traffic congestion. It’s not uncommon for sliplining to be inserted in two directions from a single
excavation site. This can greatly reduce the disturbance of traffic and other forms of complications related to excavations.

When digging a pit to work in, the excavation should be sloped at a 2.5 to 1 slope. All safety procedures should be followed to
prevent personal injury. If the liner pipe will be of a gasket type, the excavation will need to be long enough to allow the length of
pipe to be worked with to be inserted in the sewer. In addition, the pit must be long enough to allow workers to join and insert
the liner. When fused pipe is used, the length of the excavation should be at least 12 times the diameter of the liner pipe, plus
the sloping ends of the work pit.

How wide should a work pit be? At a minimum, it should be as wide as the diameter of the existing sewer, plus 12 inches.
Sewers with diameters of between 18 to 48 inches call for a work pit that is as wide as the pipe diameter, plus 18 inches. A
sewer with a diameter of 48 inches, or more, will require a width of the outside diameter, plus 24 inches. All bracing and
sheeting must be established as required by local conditions and pertinent regulations.

10.3. INSTALLATION
Before installation, the top of the existing sewer has to be exposed. It should be exposed to the spring line and the crown of the
pipe must be removed for the full length of the work pit. Be careful when removing the top of the existing sewer. Try not to
disturb the bottom of the sewer. If the bottom surface of the existing sewer can be maintained it will serve as a solid support for
the liner.

In most cases, fused-joint liners are joined outside of the existing sewer. Thermal-butt-fusion or the thermal extrusion welding
method is used to join the liner. If SDR solid wall PE pipe is being used as a liner, it may be joined with the use of a stainless
steel full encirclement clamp and the proper gasket material. This method is used when the work pit is not at a manhole.
Sections of PE pipe with gasket joints can be assembled in the work pit with flow passing through the previously inserted
sections.

A power winch and steel cable that is connected to the end of the liner by use of a pulling head is used to insert fused or welded
liners. The length of the liner pipe is determined by the capacity of the winch drum and how much power the winch has. There is
some risk that the liner pipe will be damaged during insertion. Take this into consideration and make all reasonable efforts to
assure a smooth insertion. Once the winch is turned on and the slipliner is being inserted, the process should not be stopped
until the liner is in place. Sometimes a pushing-and-pulling process is used to insert a liner. The choice is largely that of the
contractor.

There will be a period of relaxation and thermal equilibrium before the liner is ready to be grouted. Check manufacturer
recommendations on how long you should wait before sealing the annular space between the liner and the existing sewer.

When lining a sewer with gasket-joined pipe, the pipe is lowered into the work pit one piece at a time. The pipe sections are
joined in the pit and then inserted into the sewer. Don’t allow the liner to float within the existing sewer. Equal force should be
used as the insertion is made.

10.4. GROUTING
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10.4. GROUTING
Grouting is used to stabilize and support some liner installations. The liner must be protected during grouting. There are two
options. Enter the grouting material at a very low pressure, or fill the liner with water to pressurize it during the grouting
procedure. The liner manufacturer can provide complete specifications on how much grouting pressure the lining material can
be subjected to.

In addition to grouting between the liner and the sewer, you will also have to seal the annular space between the liner and where
it enters and exists a manhole. A rule of thumb is to install a sealant for a distance equal to 1 1/2 times the pipe diameter of the
liner. Wait until relaxation and thermal equilibrium has settled in. Normally, this will not take more than 24 hours, but check
manufacturers’ recommendations to confirm a satisfactory waiting period.

If a foam sealant is used to seal the manhole locations, the foam should not protrude into the manhole. It should be finished off
flush and covered with a quick-setting, non-shrinking cement.

10.5. CONNECTIONS
Connections to the new liner will be needed once the liner installation is complete. This requires a portion of the old sewer be
removed at the service connections. Once the liner is exposed, connection can be made. The connection to the liner is made
with a heat-fusion saddle or a strap-on saddle. If a strap-on saddle is used, it must be held in place with stainless steel clamps.
A neoprene gasket is inserted between the liner and the strap-on saddle. Connections made to the saddle fittings are made with
boots, full-encirclement clamps, or some other approved method.

The next step is sealing the open space between the old sewer and the grout or liner. This requirement prevents invasion of
ground water, backfill material, and other debris. Once this is done, you are ready to backfill the work area.

10.6. BACKFILLING
Before backfilling, all exposed PE pipe and components must be protected. This is done by encasing them with a cement-
stabilized sand or some other suitable high-density material. All soil and debris should be removed from the area to be
encased. Once the encasement material is in place and approved, the backfilling process may begin. All laterals must be
supported prior to being backfilled. Normal backfilling procedures are then used to repair the work area.

10.7. COST EFFECTIVENESS

Sliplining is a cost-effective means of refurbishing old sewers. The process is much less costly than full sewer replacement. In
addition to the financial savings, the sliplining process is far less intrusive on local traffic and other activities than a full
replacement would be. PE pipe is a very versatile material that can be used for numerous cost-saving applications.

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