Category: News

Last week, Sylmasta and Rouden kicked off their nationwide Pipe Repair Roadshow by visiting several water companies in the south of England.

The aim of the roadshow is to introduce utility services to Sylmasta’s Pipe Repair technology. 2020 represents the start of a critical five-year period for water companies in the United Kingdom, who have been told by the water regulator Ofwat that they must cut leaks by 16% by 2025.

That figure was laid down in the PR19 Document, the latest of Ofwat’s five-yearly reviews into the performance of the water industry.

The regulator says that this would save enough water to meet the needs of everyone in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Liverpool and Sheffield.

With leaks responsible for 3.17 billion litres of lost water every day in England and Wales in 2017-18, solutions that can either strengthen pipes to prevent leaks from occurring or repair them quickly and easily when they do happen can help to save money and reduce waste.

SylWrap Pipe Repair products do just that. Each company on the roadshow was given a live demonstration of how the composite technology in a SylWrap Contractor Case works.

Sylmasta’s mobile test rig was quickly set up on-site, with repairs carried out to seal live-leaks on pipes of different sizes and different types of damage.

The Contractor Case has been designed so that it can be kept on standby in the van. It contains enough products to carry out multiple repairs, meaning that contractors have all the equipment they need to permanently seal a live leak on any pipe diameter inside of 30 minutes.

Sylmasta’s technicians led the demonstrations, highlighting the benefits of using SylWrap technology as a cost-effective alternative to traditional methods. They also took questions from the water company’s contractors about the products.

With Sylmasta determined to help reduce the cost of leaks to both the economy and the environment, the Pipe Repair Roadshow will be ongoing throughout the year.

If you work in an industry involving the maintenance of pipework and repairs are an ongoing issue, then Sylmasta will be happy to offer a free on-site demonstration to your team to explain how Sylmasta products can benefit your company.

Sylmasta composite repair solutions are not just restricted to water supply companies. Waste Treatment Works, Pumping Stations, Power Stations, Quarry Wash Plants and Petrochemical Plants around the world have all successfully used the technology to repair and strengthen pipework systems within their facilities.

To book your visit, please call or email Sylmasta and we will be pleased to assist you.

Pipe Burst Tape repairs burst pipes, that much is obvious. But did you know that there are many other uses for pipe repair tape aside from fixing leaks?

Take Wrap & Seal for example. Not only will it seal leaking pipes of all sizes and types in 30 minutes even when water flow cannot be turned off, but it can also be used with electrical appliances and to repair and maintain car parts.

You can take even a roll of repair tape into the great outdoors with you, where it can help to improve the prospects of trees and plants.

Here are four alternative uses for pipe wrap tape – aside from the obvious.

Insulating electrical cables

With a dielectric strength of 4000VPM, Wrap & Seal Pipe Burst Tape isn’t just designed for repairing water pipes – it can also be used for electrical insulation applications too.

You might have accidentally cut into a cable and exposed the wire inside. Perhaps the outside casing has become frayed or damaged over time. A mischievous pet could have even chewed their way through it, somehow avoiding a nasty shock in more ways than one.

Whatever the problem with your electrical cabling, pipe repair tape can help solve it. Just wrap it around the damaged area, where it will fuse in exactly the same manner as it would on a water pipe, creating a permanent seal.

Binding cables together

For many people, a jungle of cables tangled up is one of the unfortunate consequences that comes with owning electrical equipment.

If you want that supersized HD television or that powerful desktop computer to work, then having a mess of wires that resembles a plate of electrical spaghetti is a price you think you have to pay.

It doesn’t have to be this way though. A minimal amount of Pipe Burst Tape can be used to bind cables together, reducing clutter at the back of electrical appliances.

Not only will this help to tidy up the home or workplace, but it can also improve electrical performance by allowing cables to run more freely, reducing the risk of power outage and even fire that comes through unruly wires.

Car exhaust pipe repair

This should be a bit of an obvious one, but yes –pipe repair tape can be used to fix a car exhaust pipe as well as repairing leaking water pipes. Because Wrap & Seal has an operating temperature of up to 260°C, it will provide a permanent repair no matter how hot your car exhaust gets.

As well as exhaust pipe repair, Pipe Burst Tape can also be used to maintain and support wiring and cables underneath the bonnet and fix leaking radiator hoses and power steering lines. Wrap & Seal has good to fair oil resistance, meaning you can use it to repair a leaking fuel line.

Staking trees and trying plants

If you are a keen gardener, then you can even find uses for pipe repair tape in the world of horticulture. Wrap & Seal’s self-bonding super strength makes it perfect for tying trees against a stake. At the same time, it can be applied slackly enough so as not to be too tight around the growing tree.

We’ve also heard of Pipe Burst Tape being used to tie rose bushes and it could probably be used should you have a sunflower that ends up growing to epic proportions.

A bathroom leak can be expensive, messy and disruptive. The problem must be fixed, an expensive clean up operation might be needed afterwards and all that can still pale into insignificance compared to the stress that water damage causes.

Unless you’ve been through it, the real cost of a bathroom leak can end up being a lot more than you think. Here are some of the ways in which the costs can add up – and how you can try and prevent the bill becoming too extortionate.

The cost of hiring a plumber

When a bathroom suddenly starts leaking and you require an emergency repair, the first port of call will normally be a plumber. According to Household Quotes, the average hourly rate for a plumber in the United Kingdom in 2019 was between £40 – £60 an hour.

Many plumbers will have an additional call out charge which will be fixed at around the same price, although this is obviously dependent on when and where you are calling the plumber from. The emergency call out fee of a plumber at 10am on a Wednesday morning will obviously be a lot less than at 6am on a Bank Holiday Monday.

The most important thing to remember in an emergency is not to panic, which of course is easier said than done. Make enquiries to plumbers if you can to try and find the best deal and always clarify the charges upfront to avoid any nasty hidden extras

Depending on the severity of the problem, you may even be able to fix the issue yourself. A SylWrap Pipe Repair Kit for example is easy to use, seals live leaks in under 30 minutes and can be purchased from as little as £18.

Claiming on home insurance for a leaking bathroom

Most home insurance will cover water damage caused by a leaking bathroom. But that doesn’t mean that your insurance company will make it easy to make a claim, which is one of the biggest shocks that homeowners tend to find when pipes start leaking.

According to the Association of British Insurers, insurance companies pay out around £2.5 million every day in water damage claims. Given the vast sums involved, it’s little wonder that some insurers will attempt to wriggle out of paying.

Carry out a quick internet search for water damage compensation and you’ll be greeted by a whole host of horror stories. Many claims are rejected by insurance companies citing “wear and tear” of pipework for the issue rather than an unexpected emergency situation.

If the damage has been caused through a homeowner’s negligence, then insurers won’t pay out. Fail to fix that leaky faucet or take adequate steps to prevent pipes from freezing in winter and your insurance company will have a strong case for rejecting your claim for damage further down the line.

You should read your home insurance policy carefully to know exactly what types of water damage you are covered for and what you must do to maintain your home to your insurer’s standards. If you are unable to secure a pay-out for damage caused by a bathroom leak, then the cost of the problem to yourself can start running into the thousands.

How to limit the cost of water damage

The cost of water damage to your home after a bathroom leak will vary greatly depending on the severity of the problem. Should it cause structural damage, bring down a ceiling or lead to a problem which requires major renovation works, then the costs are going to be much higher than for a simple pipe repair.

There are steps that you can take to limit the cost of water damage. If you do notice a leak, start moving objects out of the way of the path of water. This can protect them from being irrevocably damaged and needing to be replaced. If possible, you should also keep any possessions which have been ruined as they can be used as evidence when it comes to putting in a claim.

The best way to limit the cost of water damage however is by repairing problems as soon as they arise. Prevention is always better than a cure, so find suitable pipe repair solutions to fix dripping taps or leaking pipes before they escalate into a far more serious issue. Otherwise, you might discover the hard way just how expensive the real cost of a bathroom leak can be.

Water companies in the United Kingdom have been told that they must cut leaks by 16% and reduce water bills for consumers by £50 over the course of the next five years.

The announcements came in Ofwat’s recently released PR19 document, the price review undertaken by the water regulator every five years into the performance of the industry. Those two figures are part of a £51 billion investment programme from the country’s water companies between April 2020 and 2025.

Ofwat Chief Executive Rachel Fletcher stated that the investment would lead to the transformation of the water industry.

“Water companies need to crack on and turn this into a reality and transform their performance for everyone,” said Ms Fletcher. “They will be investing the equivalent of an extra £6m each and every day to overhaul services, strengthen their infrastructure and improve our natural environment.”

Here’s what the Ofwat PR19 demands of England and Wales’ 17 water companies over the next five years.

Reduce water bills for consumers by £50

The headline grabbing announcement for consumers was that Ofwat expects water companies in England and Wales to reduce water bills by £50 before inflation over the course of the next five years – a 12% drop.

A 2017 report from EurEau revealed that Britain collects more revenue through water billing than any other country in Europe, taking in over €16 billion every year.

Revenue is closely linked to population and how many people are paying for water. While no figures were released for Germany, the United Kingdom’s water revenue far outstrips the likes of France (€12 billon) and Italy (€8 billion) who both have similar populations.

The cost of water in the United Kingdom has been a bone of contention for consumers for some time with £405 being the average annual bill in 2019-20. Ofwat has also told companies to identify and help an additional 2 million customers who may need extra support though schemes like concessionary tariffs. It is estimated that around 3 million people in England and Wales struggle to pay their bills.

Ofwat believes that this reduction in bills can be achieved through greater efficiency, passing on lower costs to consumers and promoting more innovation.

Cut water leaks by 16%

In 2017-18, leaks were responsible for 3.17 billion litres of lost water every day in England and Wales. The Consumer Council for Water criticised three companies for failing to meet their annual leakage targets, warning that they risked undermining wider efforts to encourage people to save and value water.

As a result, Ofwat has told water companies that they must cut leaks by 16%. The regulator says that this would save enough water to meet the needs of everyone in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Liverpool and Sheffield. Now, if only somebody had a pipe repair kit that could fix live leaks in 30 minutes…

Invest £13 billion in infrastructure

Over the next 5 years, £13 billion is to be invested in infrastructure, leading to new and improved services to cope with an increasing population and to tackle environmental challenges like drought and flooding.

The money will be used to improve the reliability of critical infrastructure such as aqueducts and water treatment works, reduce customers’ reliance on a single water source to help prevent consumer disruption and to improve the resilience of water mains in vulnerable locations such as under main roads and railways.

More businesses and increased house building means that demand for water is expected to increase over the next five years at the same time as extreme weather makes droughts more likely.

The infrastructure investment will therefore tackle long-term drought and water supply issues. Major new water resources such as reservoirs will be constructed, including a new £100m reservoir in Hampshire.

With population growth expected to impact on the south east of England in particular, a programme of national transfers of water from the north to the south of England will also begin.

A 310 mile pipeline is to connect surplus water in Lincolnshire with Suffolk and Essex, where supply is a problem. It will be one of the largest strategic pipeline projects the UK has ever seen.

Ofwat will launch a £200 million innovation fund

Ofwat have confirmed plans to launch a new £200m innovation fund which will encourage water companies to collaborate with each other and with other companies in their supply chains.

The fund is backed by 8 out of 10 senior executives and managers from water companies. It is set to be awarded to companies who enter an innovation competition, and as a reward for those who have completed the successful rollout of innovative solutions to problems within the water industry, such as leak and pipe repair.

The full Ofwat PR19 report can be found on the Ofwat website.

At some point, most homeowners will need to find an answer to the question of how to fix a leaking PVC pipe. After all, plastic piping runs water in and out of bathrooms, kitchens and drainage systems in domestic properties all over the county.

Thankfully, you don’t have to be a fully trained plumber to fix a leaking plastic pipe. There are several products available which allow repairs to be carried out quickly and with no formal training needed – even when water flow cannot be turned off.

Here are some of the ways in which you can fix a leaking PVC pipe – without having to call out a plumber.

Pipe Burst Tape

The most common method of repairing leaking PVC pipes is with pipe burst tape. This specialist repair tape is made from silicone and is self-fusing, meaning that it bonds to itself when wrapped around a damaged pipe to form a permanent bond over the leak area.

The extra stretch which pipe burst tape provides – Wrap & Seal stretches to 300% – even allows it to seal live leaks where water flow cannot be turned off. This can be particularly useful if you cannot locate your home’s stopcock or the water valve happens to be too old, damaged or tight to use.

To apply pipe burst tape, you simply stretch and wrap it around the damaged area of the pipe enough times to permanently seal the leak. Repairs can be carried out in under 30 minutes, making this a quick and easy way to return leaking PVC pipes to full working order.

Epoxy Repair Putty

If you are trying to repair a pipe in a tight space, then you might not have enough room in which to apply Pipe Burst Tape. When this is the case, you should instead use an epoxy repair putty to seal the leak.

Epoxy putties are designed to bond different materials together and they can be used to plug holes with a working time of anywhere between 10 minutes and an hour depending on the product being used.

Superfast Copper Stick for example bonds to pipes of all types and sets in 5-10 minutes with a full cure in one hour; Superfast Plastic Stick – which has been used in countless PVC pipe repairs – takes a little longer at 35-40 minutes to harden and form a cohesive bond and 2-3 hours for the system to be put back into service.

Pipe Repair Bandages

If you want to carry out a longer lasting repair to leaking PVC pipes, then you should combine either pipe burst tape or epoxy repair putty with a repair bandage.

Pipe Repair Bandages are fibreglass wraps coated with a water-activated resin which set rock hard in minutes. They are dipped in water and then wrapped over the top of the pipe burst tape or epoxy putty for a permanent repair.

Pipe Repair Bandages can be smoothed down as water is applied and are coloured white, meaning that they will blend in with PVC pipework which is also white in colour.

Wrap & Seal Pipe Burst Tape, Superfast Epoxy Putty and SylWrap Bandages can now all be purchased in one SylWrap Universal Pipe Repair Kit, providing all the equipment needed to fix leaking bathroom pipes.

Corrosion is one of the most damaging and costly naturally occurring events seen today. At its simplest level, it can cause a water tank in a back garden to rust or a domestic pipe to start leaking.

At its most damaging, it can weaken structures to the point that buildings and bridges collapse. Oil pipelines can break, containers that store radioactive waste can leak and beautiful monuments around the world can become damaged. Only emergency repair works saved the Statue of Liberty from the jaws of corrosion in the 1980s.

In 2016, a study carried out by NACE International put the annual global cost of the problem at around $2.5 trillion, or 3.4 percent of global GDP. It’s as dangerous as it is costly, and that’s why many individuals and businesses view corrosion protection as a worthwhile investment.

How does corrosion occur?

Corrosion happens as a result of chemical reactions between a metal and its environment. In most cases, the three components that cause the problem are the metal itself, oxygen and water.

Most metals found in manmade structures occur naturally in ore. In order for these metals to be turned into pipes, piles and beams, the metal must be separated out from the ore, a process which leads to reduced stability.

It is when these extracted metals react with their environment and begin to return to their natural states that corrosion occurs. Iron for example comes from iron ore and as a result, it will corrode quickly. In contrast, metals such as gold, silver and platinum – which are found in nature in their pure form rather than as an ore – corrode very rarely.

That’s what makes them so valuable and is why, unless you happen to be very, very rich, you don’t have water running through gold pipes in your home.

Types of corrosion

There are four common types of corrosion, all of which can have a devastating effect on metalwork if left untreated.

General corrosion is caused by chemical or electrochemical reactions and will attack the entire surface of a metal structure. It leads to an overall thinning of the metal but because it is a predictable issue that attacks whole structures, it is possible to plan for and manage which can help limit the damage.

Localised corrosion attacks smaller areas of metalwork. The most common form of this is pitting, which creates small holes, pits or cavities on metalwork. Because it targets single locations, it is harder to detect and therefore harder to prevent. Pitting often leads to pipework bursting or leaking and it can cause structural failure through cracking.

Other forms of localised corrosion include crevice corrosion and filiform corrosion. Crevice corrosion is found where there are gaps between two joining surfaces, such as where a screw or bolt has been drilled into metalwork. Filiform corrosion occurs when water is trapped against a metal surface by another layer, such as under a coating of paint.

Galvanic corrosion takes place when two different metals are located alongside an electrolyte which can carry an electrical current between the metals. One metal’s molecules are drawn towards the other, leading to a weakening in one of the metals.

It was galvanic which had such a devastating effect on the Statue of Liberty. The outside of the Statue is made from copper, the inner frame iron. With layers of paint and varnish holding water molecules applied between the two metals, conditions were ripe for iron molecules to travel over to the copper.

As a result, a survey in the 80s revealed that the iron frame was in some places half as thick as it had been when it was shipped over from France to Liberty Island 100 years previously.

Finally, there is environmental corrosion. This is where structures which are found in harsh environmental conditions such as in saltwater are gradually worn down over time. It can lead metalwork to become brittle, weakened, fatigued and ultimately, to crack.

How to protect against corrosion

There are numerous ways in which corrosion can be prevented. At a scientific level, resistant manmade alloys such as stainless steel have been invented. These alloys consist of two or more metals, making them stronger and giving them a greater resistance to corrosion.

Galvanic corrosion can be prevented by coating iron or steel with a more active metal, such as zinc. Rather than the iron or steel corroding, it is instead the zinc that gives up its molecules.

Another method for protecting and strengthening structures is by using protection wraps. SylWrap CR is a resin-impregnated fibreglass bandage incorporated with corrosion inhibitors. When wrapped around pipework, pillars or structures, it sets rock hard to provide an impact resistant-protective layer, extending the lifespan of metalwork which could otherwise by ravaged by corrosion.

Brushable epoxies can also be applied to structures which are already being afflicted by the problem. Standard Epoxy 19000 can be brushed onto damaged areas, offering excellent protection and helping to repair existing problems. When used alongside Fibreglass Tape or as part of a Fibreglass Repair Kit, damaged tanks and vessels can have their lifespan extended.

Corrosion costs money. In 2016, a study carried out by NACE International put the annual global cost of corrosion at around $2.5 trillion, which is about 3.4 percent of global GDP.

There has often been this misconception that you cannot prevent corrosion, nor control it. Whilst it is true that corrosion cannot be eliminated, there are ways in which its impact to structures and industries across the world can be limited. You can slow the sands of time.

Which is why SylWrap CR Corrosion & Protection Wrap has been developed. The newest variation of SylWrap is a resin-impregnated fibreglass bandage infused with corrosion inhibitors, making it the only water-activated wrap to offer corrosion protection.

SylWrap CR strengthens and protects structures in harsh and aggressive environments. It is used to reinforce underwater piles and pier supports in saltwater environments. It strengthens steel and concrete against the effects of environmental corrosion. It helps extend the lifespan of metalwork and machinery, preventing the need for costly and time-consuming shutdowns. It protects pipes and metal parts against abrasive wear and it prevents substrate corrosion.

The Wrap is designed to be easy to use in the field and requires minimal training. To apply the bandage, you simply dip in water and wrap around the structure that requires protection or repair. Because it is water-activated, SylWrap CR is ready to use underwater without any prior preparation. The cured wrap sets hard in 30 minutes to provide a permanent, impact-resistant protective layer.

In testing, SylWrap CR has returned a wrapped metal structure in a corrosion-free state after 1,000 hours of saltwater exposure. It can also be used to repair cracked or leaking pipework in high-pressure and high-temperature situations.

When cured, SylWrap CR has a lifespan of 10-20 years depending on a variety of factors. It comes in different sizes depending on the diameter of the framework and it is coloured black for minimum visual impact.

To find out more about SylWrap CR and how it can help to prevent corrosion, then visit our SylWrap CR Product Page.

Corrosion costs the global economy around $2.5 trillion a year – which is why we’ve developed SylWrap CR Corrosion & Protection Wrap #Corrosion

Find out more 👉 https://t.co/xaEdsKw5jN pic.twitter.com/pfgq23WrGp

— Sylmasta Pipe Repair Solutions (@Sylmasta) November 21, 2019

With winter on its way, now is the time to start thinking about how you can prepare and protect pipes and tanks from the damage that can be caused by plummeting temperatures.

As water freezes, it expands. What this means for pipes or tanks is that as they are exposed to colder temperatures, the water inside begins to exert extra pressure on the structure in which it is being carried or stored. This in turn puts the whole system at risk of rupturing, increasing the likelihood of damage and breakdowns during the winter months.

Which is a problem. The last thing that anybody wants to be dealing with in the depths of winter is cracks, bursts or reduced flow rates – especially as water damage resulting from leaks can cause serious harm to property and belongings.

Thankfully, there are several measures you can take to prepare pipes for winter. Here are the steps that we recommend so that your property is ready for when freezing temperatures arrive.

Drain outdoor pipes ahead of winter

One of the easiest ways to prevent exterior pipes or tanks from breaking down is to drain those that will not be used during winter ahead of the freezing temperatures arriving. If appliances such as hose pipes can be moved indoors, then you should bring them in during the winter months.

If you have exterior taps, then close the indoor valves but leave the outdoor valves open. This allows the water to expand safely when it freezes due to the lack of pressurisation.

One step that you should not take is to pass antifreeze through these pipes. The chemical can damage the pipework as well as having a significant detrimental impact on the environment.

Insulate your pipes to prevent freezing

Insulation of exterior pipes is one of the most effective ways in which you can protect and prepare pipes for winter. On the face of it, this may seem like a costly and time-consuming exercise, but it can actually be relatively easy and cheap to carry out.

Most DIY stores will sell pipe lagging which can be used for insulation. The lagging is fitted around pipes to prevent them from becoming damaged or bursting. The lagging works by keeping heat inside the pipes. It can also help to reduce gas and electric bills by cutting the amount of energy needed to heat water throughout a property.

Leave the heating on

For interior pipes, one of the easiest ways to ensure that water temperature does not drop too low is by leaving the heating in your property on. Setting your thermostat to between 12-15C when you away from the property ensures that the air inside remains warm to prevent pipes from freezing.

Water cannot freeze when it is on the move, so turning your taps on regularly to flush the system can also prevent interior pipes from freezing. Those not on a water meter could even consider letting their taps trickle so there is a constant flow when temperatures really plummet.

Repair leaks to protect and prepare pipes for winter

If your property is already suffering from leaking pipes, then it is imperative that you repair them before winter in order to prevent the problem becoming worse. A tiny leak now can easily turn into a burst pipe in the depths of December or January thanks to the freezing temperatures.

Repairing leaking pipes has never been easier. A SylWrap Pipe Repair Kit contains all the equipment needed to permanently seal leaking pipes.

The kits are extremely easy to use, offering a permanent repair inside 30 minutes with no formal training needed. You simply follow the instructions provided. SylWrap kits are WRAS approved, meaning they have been certified as safe to use with drinking water.

Take steps to prevent draughts and cold air flows

Interior pipes in locations such as garages and warehouses may freeze if those areas of a property are not draught-proofed or are subjected to cold air flows.

Small gaps between doors or in structures allows the cold to get in, which in turn will cool down and potentially freeze pipes. This is because the colder air speeds up the process of ice formation.

You can prevent this from happening by draught proofing areas which may have otherwise been neglected because they are not habitable or well-used. Plug up gaps using insulation, wood or plastic to try and keep the cold away from interior pipes or tanks.