New HYMAX Grip Swiveljoint used in pipe upgrade in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
The city of Myrtle Beach, S.C., (approx. 27,000) is a beach resort, and this number increases during the summer.
Dean Roughton has been working for the city’s public works for 15 years and currently serves as a crew supervisor responsible for water pipe repairs.
Problem & Solution
The city wanted to install a 12″-by-6″ tapping sleeve with a new valve and to replace a section of 6″ asbestos-cement pipe with the new 6″ C-900 PVC. The 12-in. main was buried at a different height and at an irregular angle vs. the new 6-in. pipe, thus creating a connection problem.
Reducing service interruption time to the area customers was the main challenge. Up until this time, the primary option has been using multiple fittings to connect the pipes, but Roughton wanted to find a better and faster solution.
Roughton chose the Hymax Grip Swiveljoint, a unique coupling that connects and restrains any 2 pipes at any angle from 0 to 90 degrees. The user can adjust the product to suit the specific angle and then tighten it into the desired position with an integral bolted connection. The Swiveljoint can connect and restrain different piping materials – including steel, PVC, ductile iron and cast iron. Its hydraulic pressure-assisted gasket allows flexible dynamic deflection after installation of up to 4 degrees per end – reducing the risk of future pipe break due to moving ground.
Flexible Installation
It took the Myrtle Beach operators’ crew less than 1 hour to install the Swiveljoint and resume regular water service to the city’s customers. This joint was attached to a new section of PVC pipe coming out of the newly installed tee and water valve on one side, allowing exact positioning in order to connect new PVC on the other side. Instead of using several different connected joints to accommodate the varying angles, Roughton’s team used one HYMAX GRIP Swiveljoint to complete the job quickly and efficiently, minimizing labor costs and decreasing water service downtime. The cost of the one Swiveljoint product was markedly lower than the cost of the multiple fittings that ordinarily would have been needed.
Dynamic deflection should be a key consideration when looking at the long-term integrity of a repair. A Swiveljoint can reduce the likelihood of a break at the repair point due to the restraint coupling’s hydraulically-assisted gasket which uses flowing water pressure to increase pressure on the pipe. This patented design offers dynamic deflection of up to 4 degrees per side, allowing for pipe movement caused by potential ground shifts.
The product was easy to install, allowing the repair to be completed quickly with minimal downtime for customers. Finally, a faster repair meant less time in the trench, addressing the utility’s safety concerns.