Checking underground utility ducting for damage

Underground utility repair is the most complicated and labor-intensive job that utility maintenance teams need to undertake. Underground utilities are all pipes and cables that transport electricity, water, sewage, and telecommunications to and from buildings and houses. The repair and maintenance of these utilities require excavation and digging to reach the source of damage, which can take up a lot of time and labor. Without the proper equipment or repair products, attempts to fix a problem can lead to even more issues. Despite the trouble it takes to perform underground utility repair and maintenance, it is a vital task. The pipes and cables running underground carry essential public utilities. Any breakdown in the pipeline can cause interruptions in supply and lead to further damage or health hazards. Pipes need to be kept in excellent working order at all times.

When to check for damage

Underground ducting protects subterranean water pipes, as well as electrical wiring. It prevents these essential utility pipes and cables from becoming damaged, leaking, or causing accidents. Underground ducting is designed to last for years, but as with all things, nothing lasts forever. Over time, ducting may lose its efficiency, either through being damaged somehow or if it has eroded. However, the only way to inspect your ducts for damage is to dig up the ground and visually take a look. For this reason, only consider doing it if you know the ducting has been down there for a long time, if the soil in the area is particularly corrosive, or if there have been any recent weather events (such as a storm or flood) that you think may have affected it.

How to check for damage

• Turn off all utilities and allow enough time for electricity, gas, or water to leave the system before you begin to dig down.
• Because backhoes and manual shovels can cause further damage to ducting, the safest way to excavate it is with a hydro excavator. This machine uses pressurized water to loosen the soil and a strong vacuum to remove the slurry.
• Make a visual inspection (take care to avoid touching the ducting directly) and look for signs of fraying, holes, cracks, or thin patches in the material.

PE Fusion – the repair solution

PE Fusion is a high-strength modified acrylic adhesive designed for the coupling and splicing of HDPE pipe to standard PVC couplings and other non-standard materials such as steel, aluminum, and fiberglass. It securely bonds all surface types and is ideal for splicing underground utilities, which gives you flexibility in conduit selection and installation, knowing that PE Fusion will create a permanent, watertight bond. An acrylic adhesive for underground utility use needs to be flexible, strong, reliable, fast-acting, and economical. If you need to couple or splice underground, PE Fusion acrylic adhesive is the solution for you. A permanent yet flexible and watertight adhesive is an essential inclusion in your toolbox. PE Fusion is faster and longer-lasting than regular mechanical couplings. It provides a quick, permanent solution and is not susceptible to stress or impact. When you are making underground utility repairs, you want a product that can get the job done fast and is also more affordable. PE Fusion is the one product you can trust to take care of all your utility maintenance issues.

GRA Services International focuses on developing new products and solutions to preserve physical assets in the utility industry. For more information on PE Fusion and its use in underground utility repair, contact GRA Services.