Products and Services

IPR, LLC is an experienced, nation-wide provider of trenchless repair and rehabilitation solutions for water, sewer, manhole and culvert applications. We are proud to have rehabilitated over one-million feet of pipe for both public and private sector clients across this great nation.

 

Pipe Bursting

Pipe Bursting is a trenchless method of rehabilitating damaged or deteriorating water and sewer lines.  IPR has the capability to pipe burst all types of pipe (HDE, Ductile Iron, Clay, etc.) while installing new HDPE, PVC, Ductile Iron or Clay pipe.

 Pipe Bursting is a trenchless rehabilitation method of installing High Density Polyethylene (HDPE),  PVC or Ductile Iron pipe into damaged or deteriorating water and sewer lines. During the process a bursting tool is guided into an existing pipe with a constant tension winch. The tool is equipped with an expander that is larger than the existing pipe. As the tool travels through the host pipe, continuous percussion from a pneumatic tool effectively breaks apart the pipe. The expander forces the fragments into the surrounding soil, while the new pipe is simultaneously pulled in place behind it.

 

There are two types of pipe bursting: static and pneumatic over 90% of pipe bursting in the US is done with pneumatic tools.

 

Size Ranges: IPR utilizes technology for bursting, replacing and upsizing pipe from 4" to 36" inches in diameter.  IPR solutions include upsizing the existing pipe as much as 25 to 50 percent.

 

Pipe Bursting Equipment:

 

Pneumatic Tools – Pneumatic bursting relies on the percussive action of a pneumatically powered bursting tool.  Compressed air propels a piston within the tool casing.  The impact of the piston drives the tool through the existing pipe.  The tool is guided through the host pipe by a constant tension winch.  This percussive action fractures the existing pipe.  An expander attached to the tool forces the fragments into the surrounding soil.

 

IPR utilizes pneumatic tools on about 90% of their jobs.  The pipe bursting tool range in size depending on the diameter of the host pipe.  Typical IPR solutions upsize the capacity by up to 25%.

 

Static Tools – Static bursting utilizes hydraulics to pull the bursting tool, expander and new pipe through the host pipe.  IPR employs this solution when difficult environment/soil conditions dictate.

 

Lateral Tools – IPR recommends lateral pipe bursting to rehabilitate and/or replace damaged lateral house to main connections.  Lateral tools are smaller in diameter, fast and easy to handle.   As with all pipe bursting technologies, this is a trenchless solution from IPR, which minimizes disruption to the environment.

 

Expanders– IPR utilizes the latest in trenchless rehabilitation technology and equipment.  Expanders come in many shapes & sizes depending on the application and soil conditions.  The expander is affixed to the pneumatic, static or lateral tools.  There are both rear and front-end expanders depending on the solution and type of tool utilized.

 

Guide Heads – IPR utilizes guide heads with rear expander pneumatic tools.  The guide head keeps the tool on track inside the host pipe facilitating the pipe fragmentation process.  The guide head may be equipped with cutting blades depending on the host pipe material.

 

Bentonite Slurry Pumps – IPR utilizes these pumps when pipe bursting large pipe to reduce friction and provide lubrication in difficult soil conditions.  Portable mixing and pumping units facilitate the delivery of the bentonite mixture.

 

Pipe Fusion Machines – IPR utilizes pipe fusion to join sections of newly installed HDPE pipe.  Each end of pipe is faced with a special factor and heated, then pressed together to form a joint-free bond. 

 

Advantages

Cost Effective.  Pipe Bursting is economical compared to open trench methods.

Trenchless. Disruption to city streets, lawns, business and traffic is minimal.

Capacity Increase. Pipe bursting is the only trenchless method of rehabilitation that can increase the size of existing pipe.  Rapid set-up.

Short Timeline. Repair or rehabilitation or can be accomplished in days instead of weeks.

Joint-Less Pipe.  The new pipe, typically HDPE or PVC is fused rather than jointed reducing future infiltration points.