OTEC 2026 RECAP
HydraTite, Culvert Field Paving, and a Booth That Got Cleaned Out
Jennifer and I set up and ran HydraTech’s booth (#920) at OTEC this year. We talked with city, county, DOT and contractor personnel, and we finally met a few people we’ve traded dozens of emails with. It’s always nice to put a face to a name.
Shirts that didn’t make the trip home
This year we brought custom shirts to give away. I figured a few sizes would come back with us. Instead, everyone cleaned us out. People loved the designs enough to take one even if it wasn’t quite their size. Other booths brought their A-game too, and a few went the extra mile with fresh, soft cookies.
Shirt Designs
We also got some extra visibility. Elsey Group, one of our reps, set up across from us with the HydraTite logo on the front of their table, so our seals were promoted at more than one booth.
What people asked us
Can HydraTite go in corrugated pipe? Yes. Many of our projects are in corrugated pipe. The only extra step is filling a small area of the corrugation to create a unified surface for the ribs of the HydraTite seal to press against.
What about rusted corrugated metal pipe? This came up a lot, especially rust at the invert. It’s where our culvert field paving comes in. We cover the invert with a minimum of three inches of concrete so the culvert flows properly again.
Can you seal the joints and then pave the invert? We haven’t done both on one culvert yet, but it’s a possibility, and an interesting way to restore both the joints and the invert in a single project.
Which pipes are good candidates for HydraTite? Most pipe that’s large enough for someone to enter and is still structurally sound. HDPE, RCP and CMP are all good fits. Vitrified clay pipe raises concerns, because it generally isn’t resilient enough to handle the pressure as the seal expands.
Our work with ODOT
HydraTite and HydraLock were on display, along with photos of culvert field paving, and we talked through culvert cleanout too. HydraTech holds a contract with ODOT covering field paving, culvert cleanout and HydraTite joint sealing, and we were glad to highlight that relationship.
Back in the office
We heard about several upcoming projects where HydraTite would be a good fit, so we’re circling back on those now. Jennifer and I went to the lunch on the last day, and the food was very good. The best meal of the trip, though, was at Fiesta Jalisco after the show. Half the fun of these shows is deciding where to explore between days on the exhibit floor.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by booth 920. If you’re dealing with leaking joints, separated joints, or a rusted-out culvert invert, call (513) 827-9169. We’re happy to talk through your project.
