TRENCH BREAKERS

Trench breakers have been used during pipeline installations for decades due to pipeline trenches washing out after backfilling.  Some happen as a result of hydrated soil conditions where backfill dirt is unstable from the beginning.  Many washouts occur in the mid-continent region due to high volumes of water accumulating during major rain events in very short periods of time.

In addition to the selling points already mentioned on the main trench breaker page, the cost of remediating washouts after project completion can be very high.  Dirt contractors are called to clear out and key-in locations for breakers to be retrofitted.  Engineers specify breaker locations and Kool Foam Pipeline Services follows those guidelines to ensure proper positioning. New fill dirt has to be hauled in to replace dirt lost during the washout.  Pipe coatings may be compromised.  We are happy to serve any oil and gas company or municipality dealing with this unfortunate situation by having several mobile units capable of answering call-ins immediately.

The possibilities are limitless when it comes to the uses for spray polyurethane foam.  Pictured here is an example of SPF being sprayed into the entry side of a pipe bore.  This project involved a repair located on a golf course.  The asset manager wanted to take every measure to ensure that no dirt movement could occur causing a sinkhole.  Restoring any excavation work back to its natural state is important, but a golf course would be of utmost importance!

We were able to access this location and sprayed both sides of the bore to ensure no movement would take place since foam allows for zero sediment movement, unlike sandbags.