In the old town of Kastoria the buildings are old, the streets narrow and the yards often paved with stone. A traditional pipe repair means breaking paving or opening a space next to buildings that are not easily replaced. No-dig repair avoids exactly that, and here we explain how it works and where it stops.
Signs of damage in an old pipe
- The blockage keeps returning at the same spot even though it is cleared.
- Damp on the wall or floor of the ground floor or basement.
- A smell from the manhole or a floor drain.
- Sinking or damp paving in the yard above the pipe.
In old buildings the pipes can be of different materials and ages, because some sections were replaced in renovations and others were not. The joints between them are a common point of failure.
How it is done without digging
- The camera goes in through the existing manhole and shows the type and exact position of the fault, with a length counter.
- The pipe is cleaned with high-pressure water to remove grease, deposits and roots.
- The repair is made from the inside, without opening the yard, the street or the facade.
The limits of the method
Not every fault can be repaired from the inside. It needs access from a manhole or opening and a pipe that can take the repair. If the pipe has collapsed completely or there is no access, the camera shows it from the start and you find out before you decide. Even then, the excavation is limited to the point where the fault was found, instead of opening the whole run of the pipe.
What to prepare
- Make sure the manhole is accessible and clear anything covering its lid.
- Note where and when it blocks or damp appears: it helps to find the part of the pipe to inspect.
- If the building is listed or protected, ask your engineer or the relevant authority before any excavation.
Ma.Ster OE serves Kastoria from its base in Ptolemaida. If the pipe in an older building keeps giving you trouble, a camera inspection shows what is happening without opening anything.