ePIPE® Restores University Dormitory - Eugene, Oregon

The Problem:  

Hamilton Hall is a ten building dormitory located on the University of Oregon campus in Eugene, Oregon. After more than 30 years of housing students and guests year round, the galvanized piping throughout the complex was experiencing problems typically caused by an aggressive water supply and internal corrosion. While the cold piping was still in serviceable condition, the hot piping and recirculating lines were dispensing discolored water and had very low flow. 

The Solution: 

 Faced with a limited budget to resolve the problem, the University  retained Rob Huizenga of Systems West Engineers to determine the best solution.  After researching the available options, Rob Huizenga discovered that in-place pipe restoration could effectively resolve the hot piping problems behind the walls, leaving the cold piping unaffected. Furthermore, when compared to replacement, pipe restoration could be completed much faster and could be split over multiple phases and budget years with little additional cost.  

The University specified pipe restoration in the scope of work and then requested bids in the summer of 2003 for the first half of the Hamilton Hal project. The local ACE DuraFlo® franchise was subsequently awarded the contract. the franchise used the patented ePIPE® process of pipe restoration and was able to completely restore the hot water lines in five wings of the dormitory and returned the water to service in just six weeks. The mains from the mechanical rooms to the most remote fixtures including hot water returns back to the mechanical room were all restored using the ePIPE® system.  One week later, the University of Oregon students returned to a completely restored piping system with clean flowing hot water.  University Vice President of Administration Dan Williams commented, “Institution officials reported that your work was performed in a satisfactory manner and that you should be commended. We hope you will be able to submit proposals for future projects…”