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When a Pipeline Keeps Leaking

HYDRATITE CASE STUDY

Pipeline repair 1,000 feet inside a 39-inch water line video thumbnail

SEP 25TH, 2026

How do you repair multiple defects in a 39-inch steel water pipeline when the problem is approximately 1,000 feet from the access point?

This Texas raw water pipeline rehabilitation project required multiple repairs across two mobilizations, and ultimately two different repair technologies.
HydraTech was initially called after active infiltration was discovered at two joints in the steel transmission line. With the repair locations approximately 1,000 feet inside the pipeline, our two-person field crew entered the dewatered line and traveled to the affected area under carefully controlled confined-space and ventilation conditions.

Because the leaking joints were not marked from inside the pipe, crews above ground tapped on the exposed steel while the technicians inside listened for the correct locations.

Both joints were repaired using custom-manufactured, double-wide HydraTite® Internal Pipe Joint Seals secured with three stainless steel retaining bands.

Later, additional leakage was discovered nearby.
When HydraTech returned, the original HydraTite seals were inspected and confirmed to still be secure and watertight. Investigation instead identified a separate hairline fracture in the steel pipe wall.

A third custom double-wide HydraTite seal was installed over the fracture, mechanically isolating the damaged area.

Elsewhere along the same pipeline, another externally accessible defect presented a different challenge. Rather than using an internal repair, the owner utilized HydraWrap® Structural Composite Repair to reinforce the affected section from the exterior.

The result demonstrates an important part of pipeline rehabilitation: different defects can require different solutions.

HydraTite provided mechanically secured internal repairs where access from outside the pipeline was difficult, while HydraWrap provided structural composite reinforcement where exterior access made it practical.

HydraTite® is a proven solution for:

Internal pipe joint sealing
Trenchless pipe repair
Leak repair in water, sewer, and storm systems
Rehabilitation of aging underground infrastructure

Learn More About HydraTite Here!

The HydraWrap Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) System is a long-term repair comprised of a carbon fiber bi-directional fiber. This material provides a barrier against corrosion and lends new strength to aging pipes. This highly customizable product comes in various kits for different applications.

Learn More About HydraWrap Here!

HydraTech focuses on manufacturing and installing long-term solutions for aging infrastructure. We seal pipe joints that are separated and/or offset. We wrap spalling bridges to give them new strength. We clean and pave culverts that have rusted inverts. We do all this and more.