What Are The Options For Manhole Hand-Injection Grouts?

Underneath the streets of every city is a maze of sewer pipes, storm drains, manholes and pump stations that carry wastewater and stormwater through a strategically planned sewer system. These sewer systems are vital to protecting the environment and keeping our communities clean. Unfortunately, they are also deteriorating at a rate that is difficult for many communities to manage.

According to infrastructurereportcard.org, the nation’s underground wastewater pipes are, on average, 45 years old with some systems exceeding 100 years. When you consider that the average life expectancy for these pipes is 50-100 years, it is no wonder that infiltration, or water leaking into the structure from the ground, has become a common and costly problem.

Infiltration causes costly wastewater structure rehab challenges

Wastewater infiltration is both a short-term and long-term problem. The short-term impact is easy to calculate. According to one study, a single manhole leak that allows 2 gallons of groundwater infiltration per minute will cost a municipality almost $2,000 per year. Keep in mind, that is a very small leak. To put it into perspective, an average garden hose uses about 12 gallons of water per minute.

If this small manhole leak is not repaired, the long-term impacts can be dangerous and costly. The moving water caused by wastewater infiltration erodes the soil contiguous to the structure, eventually forming a void underground. After a time, the weight and/or pressure building above the void can cause a sinkhole. Suddenly, a small manhole leak becomes a costly hazard.

Stop wastewater infiltration with OBIC hand-injected grouts

At OBIC, we understand that time, budget and experience all play a role in how quickly wastewater infiltration issues can be addressed. That is why we offer a complete line of grouts that were developed with the end-user in mind. Whether you are an OBIC installer, a general contractor, or even the owner of the infrastructure, OBIC has a product that can help you out.

In a previous blog post, we discussed the OBIC line of pump-injected grouts. In this post, we will take a closer look at our hand-injected grouts that are ideal for stopping even the toughest wastewater infiltration issue.

OBIC 2210 RapidSeal

OBIC 2210 RapidSeal is designed to stop high volume and high-pressure leaks in manholes, pump stations and other underground structures. The fast reaction time of the material helps to stop water quickly before the resin is washed away. The convenient cartridge package allows easy access to hard-to-reach places and can fill large voids on the exterior and stop high flows in below-grade structures.   OBIC 2210 RapidSeal:

  • Injected with a 300 ml x 300 ml injection gun
  • Has a reaction time of 5-15 seconds and cure time of 30-40 seconds depending on ambient and environmental temperatures
  • Has a hydrophilic moisture activated 1,500-2,600% expansion
  • Forms a dense and impermeable foam

When to use: OBIC 2210 RapidSeal is best used on high-volume, high-pressure leaks, or areas with large voids that need to be filled.

OBIC 2261 and 2262 MaxSeal

OBIC 2261 & OBIC 2262 MaxSeal are the same product in different packaging for ease of use. This grout can be used with either a 75 ml injection gun or a standard caulk gun. Designed to permeate soil granules and fill large and small voids where water is leaking into structures, this grout can withstand wet/dry cycles and reacts quickly with water to form a dense, impermeable rigid foam. OBIC 2061 & OBIC 2062 MaxSeal:

  • Can be injected with a 75 ml x 750 ml injection gun or standard caulk gun
  • Has a reaction time of 30 seconds-3 minutes and cure time of 1-5 minutes depending on ambient and environmental temperatures
  • Has a hydrophobic 3,000% expansion
  • Forms a dense and impermeable foam

When to use: OBIC 2261 and 2262 MaxSeal is the most versatile grout that we offer. It can be used on a wide variety of leaks. OBIC 2262 MaxSeal gives you more grout, and more bang for your buck, but requires a special injection gun. OBIC 2261 MaxSeal is ideal for users who do not have a special injection gun and prefer to use a standard caulk gun.

OBIC 2275 FlexSeal

OBIC 2275 FlexSeal is designed for sealing active and potential water leaks in cracks or small annular spaces that are susceptible to wet/dry cycles. Once applied, the grout forms a flexible seal that is ideal for any structure that may shift due to traffic, freeze-thaw cycles or normal ground movement. OBIC 2275 FlexSeal:

  • Can be injected with a 75 ml x 750 ml injection gun and a static mixer tube
  • Has a reaction time of 45 seconds-3 minutes and a cure time of 2-5 minutes depending on ambient and environmental temperatures
  • Has a 400-600% expansion
  • Forms a unique hydrophobic closed-cell foam that cures flexible

When to use: OBIC 2275 is ideal for use on tunnels, mines, dams, reservoirs, block walls, manholes and pump stations and other structures that may shift. It was designed for use above or below grade in humid or arid atmospheres and can even serve as a replacement for a failed gasket on precast concrete structures.

OBIC 2290 MultiSeal LV

OBIC 2290 MultiSeal LV is the slowest reactive and most flexible grout that we offer. OBIC 2290 MultiSeal LV is injected using a common caulk gun and does not require any special equipment. The slow reaction time of this flexible gel foam allows it to form in tiny cracks and fissures where water is weeping through. Designed for sealing active water leaks in cracks or joints in plastic, concrete, brick and block structures, OBIC 2290 MultiSeal LV can withstand high water flows and absorb up to 10 times its weight in water. OBIC 2290 MultiSeal LV:

  • Can be injected with a common caulk gun
  • Has a reaction time of 90 seconds-3 minutes and a cure time of 3-15 minutes depending on environmental temperature correlated with chemical reaction time
  • Has moisture activated expansion 400-600%
  • Forms a resilient, flexible foam with superb adhesive properties

When to use: OBIC 2290 MultiSeal is ideal for use in manhole repair.

Purchase an OBIC Grout

OBIC hand-injected grouts were designed with the end-user in mind. Whether you are an OBIC installer, a general contractor, or even the owner of the infrastructure, you will be able to successfully stop fast leaks, slow leaks and everything in between.

To purchase an OBIC grout, or to speak to a sales representative about the best grout for your next project, contact our team at 866-636-4854 or contact us via this website.