FAQs

General

What grout do you recommend?

We recommend using mineral-based grout, such as IPANEX STOPFMÖRTEL, IPA UNIMÖRTEL or IPA UNIMÖRTEL RAPID.

Are the sleeves only suitable for gravity pipes, or can they also be used in pressurized pipelines?

Our sleeves can generally be used in both gravity and pressurized pipelines. In the case of pressurized pipes, however, an assessment of the damaged area must be carried out with regard to pressure stages, potential need for protective metal liners, etc.

How does 1.4404 stainless steel react to seawater?

Depending on the concentration of salt in the water, corrosion may occur. Ask us about our special seawater-resistant seals for those kinds of applications.

Do you have sleeves that you can use to repair damage across different pipe diameters in one application?

No, this is currently not possible.

Are there any applications that 1.4404 stainless steel is not suitable for?

It depends on the chemical composition of the wastewater. For instance, in the case of seawater, 1.4404 stainless steel is resistant to a salt concentration of up to 600mg/l in wastewater.

Why shouldn’t installation bladders be used to install Quick-Lock sleeves?

This is not the intended use of our installation bladders. The thickness of the balloon plug does not correspond with the thickness of a packer bladder. A balloon plug is only intended to stop the fluid flow within a pipe, but not to transfer mechanical loads.

On top of that, a balloon plug does not have a hollow center to allow wastewater to flow through it during the installation process. This means that the sleeve might float up and be washed away during its installation.

In addition, without the packer carriage, the sleeve and its seal could get damaged while being pulled into the carrier pipe.

When should a rubber filler seal be used?

In the event of heavy groundwater infiltration and a rough surface structure, we always recommend using a rubber filler seal, which is affixed to the seal.

  • A rubber filler seal should always be used when you suspect that the height of the sealing nubs may not be sufficient to ensure a tight fit.
  • For severely corroded surfaces in the carrier pipes to be rehabilitated, typically in concrete pipes, the use of rubber filler is absolutely essential.

Note: The use of a rubber filler increases the mass of rubber to be compressed.

Application pressure + 0.5 bar / 7.25 psi

What grade of stainless steel do you use for your Quick-Lock sleeves?

The material number of this stainless steel is 1.4404. It is corrosion-resistant and non-magnetic.

What pressures are used to expand the sleeves?

Please see Annex A for the application pressures and other information.

Type of pipe Type of damage Nominal size from – to Application pressure 
Stoneware, asbestos cement, PVC, and cement pipesFragmentation and length-wise cracksDN 100 / 4”approx. 6.0–6.5 bar / 87.02–94.27 psi
DN 150 / 6”approx. 4.5–5.0 bar / 65.27–72.52 psi
DN 200 / 8”approx. 3.5–4.0 bar / 50.76–58.02 psi
DN 250–800 / 10”–32”approx. 3.0–3.5 bar / 43.51–50.76 psi
Transverse cracks, leaking fittingsDN 100 / 4”approx. 6.0–6.5 bar / 87.02–94.27 psi
DN 150 / 6”approx. 4.5–5.0 bar / 65.27–72.52 psi
DN 200 / 8”approx. 3.5–4.5 bar / 50.76–65.27 psi
DN 250–800 / 10”–32”approx. 3.5–4.0 bar / 50.76–58.02 psi
Reinforced concrete, fiberglass (PE, PP), and cast pipesAll types of damageDN 100 / 4”approx. 6.0–6.5 bar / 87.02–94.27 psi
 DN 150 / 6”approx. 4.5–5.0 bar / 65.27–72.52 psi
DN 200–800 / 8”–32”approx. 3.5–4.0 bar / 50.76–58.02 psi

Is there a non-destructive way to dismantle a sleeve that has been installed so that it can be reused?

With the exception of the Quick-Lock BIG and LEM BIG systems, a previously installed sleeve cannot be dismantled and reused.

Is is possible to return sleeves to their original setting once they’ve been expanded?

If the gear wheel of a sleeve has only been slightly expanded, there are instructions you can follow to restore it to its original setting. Once it has been fully expanded or installed, the sleeve cannot be reused. The Quick-Lock BIG and LEM BIG systems are an exception; they can be disassembled, reset, and reused as often as you like.

How do you prevent a sleeve from running backwards once it has been installed?

The specially developed locking mechanism acts as a backstop that prevents the sleeve from travelling back.

Are the sleeves suitable for drinking water applications?

Yes, used in combination with silicone seals, the sleeves are safe for drinking water (KTW- and NSF-certified).

What’s the difference between sleeves without beading, with single beading, and with double beading?

Sleeves without beading or with single beading are primarily used for serial installation. Use the sleeves with double beading if you only need to install a single sleeve.

Must the sleeve locks be opened / depending on the pressure load and retightened?

With the exception of the Quick-Lock BIG and LEM BIG systems, a previously installed sleeve cannot be disassembled and reused.

If the gear wheel of a sleeve has only been slightly expanded, there are instructions you can follow to restore it to its original setting. Once it has been fully expanded or installed, the sleeve cannot be reused. The Quick-Lock BIG and LEM BIG systems are an exception; they can be disassembled, reset, and reused as often as you like.

How long does it take to remove a sleeve?

Because our system uses inner-mounted locks, it is very easy to tear out the locking mechanism and thereby dismantle the sleeve. A grinding robot can be sent into the pipe to do the job.

In accessible areas, a simple screwdriver or chisel is all you need to remove the locks. Once the locks are gone, the sleeve collapses and can be removed from the carrier pipe. How long this process takes depends on factors like the sleeve’s location in the pipe and the tools used (robot).

How thick are the sleeve walls with seal? By how much does the pair of sealing nubs get compressed? By how much does this reduce the pipe’s diameter?

Please see the data sheets for the various Quick-Lock systems.

Quick-Lock FLEX

Which installation packer do I need if I want to install Flex sleeves?

The standard QL packer is used to install Flex sleeves.

Why are Flex sleeves only available for size DN 200 / 8” upwards?

In smaller pipes, the installation packer would not have enough space to drive over the overlap offsets.

Quick-Lock BIG

What is the maximum length of damage that can be repaired with the Quick-Lock BIG system?

A single Quick-Lock BIG sleeve can cover damage as long as 120mm (the area between the sealing nubs). But because the sleeve can be installed in series, you can also repair a longer damaged section.

Seals

Why does a seal’s application pressure depend on its Shore hardness?

The greater the Shore hardness, the higher the application pressure.

When should a rubber filler seal be used?

In the event of heavy groundwater infiltration and a rough surface structure, we always recommend using a rubber filler seal, which is affixed to the seal.

  • A rubber filler seal should always be used when you suspect that the height of the sealing nubs may not be sufficient to ensure a tight fit.
  • For severely corroded surfaces in the carrier pipes to be rehabilitated, typically in concrete pipes, the use of rubber filler is absolutely essential.

Note: The use of a rubber filler increases the mass of rubber to be compressed.

Application pressure + 0.5 bar / 7.25 psi

Are the sleeves suitable for drinking water applications?

Yes, used in combination with silicone seals, the sleeves are safe for drinking water (KTW- and NSF-certified).

What are the maximum temperatures that EPDM seals can be used at?

EPDM seals are suitable for temporary use at temperatures of up to 120°C / 248°F.

Quick-Lock MINI

Why can only the 90mm Quick-Lock Mini be used for curved pipes and not the 140mm one?

The 140mm sleeves are intended for use in straight pipes, while the 90mm sleeves can also be used in pipes or formed pieces with bends up to 45°.

Packers

Why shouldn’t installation packers be used to install liner end sleeves?

The length of the packer bladder does not match that of the liner end sleeve. This means that parts of the bladder would be outside the sleeve. The uneven pressure distribution inside the bladder could then cause the packer to explode out of the carrier pipe. This could have fatal consequences.

Why shouldn’t installation bladders be used to install Quick-Lock sleeves?

This is not the intended use of our installation bladders. The thickness of the balloon plug does not correspond with the thickness of a packer bladder. A balloon plug is only intended to stop the fluid flow within a pipe, but not to transfer mechanical loads.

On top of that, a balloon plug does not have a hollow center to allow wastewater to flow through it during the installation process. This means that the sleeve might float up and be washed away during its installation.

In addition, without the packer carriage, the sleeve and its seal could get damaged while being pulled into the carrier pipe.

If a sleeve has already been installed, is is possible to then send an installation packer through it with a second sleeve?

This is actually the standard procedure when installing two or more sleeves in series. However, it is only possible in pipes of size DN 200 / 8” upwards.

Quick-Lock LEM

Why shouldn’t installation packers be used to install liner end sleeves?

The length of the packer bladder does not match that of the liner end sleeve. This means that parts of the bladder would be outside the sleeve. The uneven pressure distribution inside the bladder could then cause the packer to explode out of the carrier pipe. This could have fatal consequences.

Quick-Lock

What is the maximum length of damage that can be repaired with the Quick-Lock system?

A single Quick-Lock sleeve can cover damage as long as 310–390mm (the area between the sealing nubs), depending on the pipe size. But because the sleeve can be installed in series, you can also repair a longer damaged section.

What’s the difference between sleeves without beading, with single beading, and with double beading?

Sleeves without beading or with single beading are primarily used for serial installation. Use the sleeves with double beading if you only need to install a single sleeve.

Benefits

Benefit from safety

  • Staff do not handle any substances that are harmful to human health when installing our systems
  • Comprehensive safety instructions and introductory briefing

Benefit from technology

  • Direct contact force and protection for sleeve and seals through inner-mounted lock and specially developed sealing nubs.
  • The sleeve can quickly be opened at any time by removing the inner-mounted locks.
  • No negative impact on the sewer line hydraulics thanks to inner-mounted locks
  • Positively-fitting connection to the pipe wall
  • Permanently elastic and leakproof. It self-tensions in pressurized pipelines thanks to its internal pressure.
  • Stability of the internal pressure up to 50 bar / 725.19 psi depending on the diameter.
  • Stability of the external pressure up to 3 bar / 43.51 psi depending on the diameter (DIN standard 0.5 bar / 7.25 psi).
  • Depending on nominal size, external pressure up to 3x the amount required according to DIN EN 1610 (0.5 bar / 7.25 psi).
  • Sleeve makes pipe more statically stable
  • Highly stable locking mechanism, even when under high and permanent strain – return flow is not possible.
  • Retightening can be performed at any time.
  • Optimized and permanent stability thanks to distribution of forces onto two gear racks
  • Outstanding sealing quality for great loads and special areas of application
  • Self-resetting pimple geometry for improved sealing performance

Benefit from availability

  • Worldwide distribution networks
  • Permanent availability, all nominal sizes in large quantities

Benefit from eco-friendliness, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness

  • No waste generated at the worksite
  • Long service life through one-time, long-term rehabilitation (materials 50+ years)
  • No need for chemicals during installation that would cause chemical waste in the sewer
  • CO2-neutral production
  • Production fully powered with own regenerative energy sources
  • Longer amortization period thanks to the long service life. Rehabilitation vs repair process

Benefit from expertise and quality

  • 30 years of business success
  • Continual product development furthered by worldwide applications
  • Can be used all year round, in all kinds of weather and temperatures
  • No dewatering required
  • No need to prepare or dry the ground in the application area
  • Speedy installation due to no need for hardening, among other things
  • Unchanging installation process, compared to other applications (e.g. with different amounts of resin, different liner thicknesses, etc.)
  • Official structural certificate (Typenstatik) up to Class II pipes
  • For single and serial installations
  • Can be used with pipes of all materials
  • Wide range of nominal sizes
  • In-house research and development department
  • Custom-made items based on customers’ own developments
  • Compensation of inconsistencies/deviations in pipe diameters thanks to adjustability of the locks
  • Seals for wastewater, drinking water, and industry
  • Continual quality inspections during the production process
  • Consistent high quality thanks to fully automated manufacturing processes
  • Qualifications and certifications for customers/distributors in our own training and competence center
  • Worksite training courses / support (worldwide)
  • Monitored and certified products and manufacturing processes from various institutes (DIBT, WRC, KTW, NSF)
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