Keeping Your Trenchless Equipment Working

Trenchless equipment is built to work in demanding environments. Inspection cameras travel through grease, debris, standing water, and damaged pipelines. High-speed drain cleaning machines and cutters encounter roots, scale, concrete, failed liner, and other difficult obstructions. CIPP equipment, jetters, locators, and other systems are regularly transported between jobs and expected to perform when crews need them.

Eventually, even well-maintained equipment may need service or repair. When that happens, contractors need more than a general equipment repair shop. They need technicians who understand trenchless technology, how the equipment is used, and how important it is to get that equipment back into the field.

The APS Repair Center in Anderson, South Carolina provides diagnostics, service, and repair for a wide range of trenchless and pipe rehabilitation equipment.

Sewer and Pipe Inspection Camera Repair

A sewer inspection camera is often one of the first pieces of equipment used on a job. Contractors depend on inspection cameras to locate blockages, identify damaged pipe, evaluate the host pipe before rehabilitation and document completed work. When the camera system is not working properly, diagnosing the pipe becomes much more difficult.

Common inspection camera problems may include:

• No video or intermittent video
• Damaged camera heads
• Push rod damage
• Monitor or display problems
• Sonde issues
• Bluetooth connection problems
• Recording failure
• Worn or damaged components

APS services sewer and pipe inspection camera systems, including Quick Sight, RIDGID, and Hathorn equipment. Before replacing an entire camera system, having the equipment properly diagnosed can help determine whether a specific component can be repaired or replaced.

High-Speed Drain Cleaning Equipment Repair

High-speed drain cleaning equipment performs some of the most demanding work in the trenchless process. These machines may be used for removing roots, scale, calcium deposits, concrete, failed liner, and other obstructions. They can also play an important role in preparing a host pipe before CIPP rehabilitation. Over time, regular use can cause components to wear or require maintenance.

Problems with a high-speed drain cleaning machine may affect:

• Cutting performance
• Shaft operation
• Controls
• Cable Lifespan
• Motors and drive components
• Electrical systems
• Other mechanical components

APS services high-speed millers and drain cleaning equipment, including the Raptor Cutter. Proper repair and maintenance can help keep a drain cleaner or sewer pipe cutter performing consistently and reduce unnecessary downtime between jobs.

Robotic Reinstatement Cutter Repair

Robotic reinstatement cutters are another important part of many trenchless operations. After a CIPP liner is installed, cutters may be used to reinstate lateral connections. Depending on the equipment and application, they may also be used to remove obstructions and perform other trenchless pipe cutting work because these systems combine cutting equipment, cameras, controls, and other specialized components, repairs should be performed by technicians familiar with the equipment.

APS is a certified repair center for Dancutter equipment and provides service for robotic  cutters and other reinstatement equipment.

Common areas that may require service include:

• Cutter motors
• Pneumatic arms
• Camera systems
• Control systems
• Mechanical components

If a robotic drain cutter begins performing differently than expected, addressing the problem early may help prevent additional downtime or damage.

CIPP and Curing Equipment Repair

Successful CIPP rehabilitation depends on multiple pieces of equipment working together. Depending on the installation method, contractors may use a variety of inversion equipment, curing equipment, compressors and other supporting equipment throughout the process. A problem with one component can delay the entire installation.

APS services a variety of CIPP and curing equipment, including:

• UV curing equipment
• Hot-water curing equipment
• Inversion equipment
• Supporting trenchless equipment

Whether a contractor is working with epoxy resin, UV resin, or another CIPP system, dependable equipment helps create a more controlled installation process. Having the equipment inspected and repaired by technicians familiar with trenchless applications can help identify problems before the system returns to the field.

Cable and Jetting Equipment Repair

Cable machines and jetting equipment are regularly exposed to demanding jobsite conditions. These systems may be used to remove blockages, clean pipelines, prepare pipe surfaces, and restore flow before additional inspection or rehabilitation takes place. Regular use can eventually lead to worn components or equipment problems.

Depending on the machine, technicians may need to inspect:

• Cables
• Reels
• Motors
• Pumps
• Engines
• Hoses
• Controls
• Electrical components
• Connections and fittings

Keeping cleaning equipment properly maintained is especially important when the next step is pipe rehabilitation. A properly cleaned host pipe provides better visibility for inspection and helps contractors more accurately evaluate the condition of the pipe.

Locating Equipment Repair

Locating equipment helps contractors determine where cameras, sondes, utilities, and other underground components are positioned. When locating equipment is not working correctly, contractors may have difficulty identifying the exact location of a defect or underground system.

Issues may involve:

• Displays
• Controls
• Signal detection
• Electrical components
• Connections
• Calibration or performance

Professional diagnostics can help determine whether the problem is isolated to a particular component or requires a more extensive repair.

The Importance of Skilled Trenchless Repair Technicians

Trenchless equipment is different from many other types of construction equipment. A robotic reinstatement cutter, pipe inspection camera, high-speed miller, or UV curing system contains specialized components designed for very specific applications.

An experienced technician understands how each component works together, allowing them to accurately diagnose issues and make the right repair to get the equipment back in service.

A specialized trenchless equipment repair center can provide:

• Equipment-specific diagnostics
• Experienced technicians
• Manufacturer-compliant repair methods
• OEM parts whenever possible
• Testing after repairs
• Preventative maintenance recommendations
• Support for specialized trenchless systems

The goal is not simply to make the equipment turn back on.It is to make sure it is ready to return to work.

What Happens When You Send Equipment to APS?

APS has developed a straightforward process for getting trenchless equipment inspected and repaired. The process begins by submitting a repair request and providing information about the equipment and the problem you are experiencing. From there, the equipment can be shipped to APS or dropped off at our Anderson, South Carolina facility.

Once the equipment arrives, our technicians perform a diagnostic inspection to identify the problem. A repair estimate is then provided before the approved work is completed.

The general repair process includes:

• Submit a repair request
• Ship or drop off the equipment
• APS performs diagnostics
• Receive a repair estimate
• Approve the recommended repair
• Equipment is repaired
• Equipment is tested
• Equipment is returned and ready for the next job

Rush repair options may also be available depending on workload, parts availability, and the type of repair required.

You Do Not Have to Purchase the Equipment From APS

One of the most important things contractors should know about the APS Repair Center is that equipment does not necessarily have to be purchased from APS for our team to work on it. If APS supports the brand and model, our technicians can evaluate the equipment regardless of where it was originally purchased.

This can be especially helpful for contractors who:

• Purchased used trenchless equipment
• Bought equipment from another distributor
• No longer have access to their original service provider
• Have older equipment that needs attention
• Need a reliable repair resource for multiple equipment brands
• Are unsure where to send a specialized piece of equipment

If you have a piece of trenchless equipment sitting in your shop because you do not know who can repair it, contact APS. Our team can help determine whether the equipment is something we support.

Ship Your Equipment or Bring It to APS

You do not have to be located near APS to use our Repair Center. Contractors can ship equipment to our Anderson, South Carolina facility for diagnostics and repair. Local contractors or customers traveling through the area can also bring equipment directly to APS.

American Pipelining Solutions
Attn: Repair Center
233 Camson Road
Anderson, SC 29625

Before shipping equipment, contact APS or submit a repair request so our team can provide the appropriate next steps. This allows us to gather information about the equipment and the problem before it arrives.

Preventative Maintenance Matters Too

The best time to think about equipment maintenance is not always after something stops working. Trenchless equipment should be inspected regularly, especially equipment that is exposed to water, debris, resin, dust, grease, and other demanding jobsite conditions.

Contractors should regularly check:

• Cables and connections
• Camera heads and lenses
• Push rods
• Cutting components
• Reels
• Hoses
• Controls
• Electrical connections
• Moving components
• Equipment cleanliness
• Signs of unusual or excessive wear

Small problems can become larger problems when they are ignored. Regular cleaning, inspection, and preventative maintenance can help identify wear before it leads to unexpected downtime on a job.

Keep Your Equipment in the Field

Unexpected equipment downtime can quickly become lost revenue. When critical trenchless equipment is out of service, crews may be unable to complete scheduled work, leading to delayed projects, lost productivity, and fewer revenue-generating jobs.

The longer equipment remains down, the greater the impact can be on your schedule and your bottom line. Having equipment properly diagnosed and repaired by an experienced technician helps minimize unnecessary downtime and gets your team back in the field where your equipment is making you money.

Whether you need sewer camera repair, inspection camera repair, robotic cutter repair, high-speed drain cleaning equipment repair, CIPP equipment repair, or service for other trenchless equipment, APS can help get your equipment back to work.

The APS Approach

At American Pipelining Solutions, we believe support should continue long after equipment leaves our facility.

The APS Repair Center provides professional diagnostics, maintenance, and repair services for a wide range of trenchless and pipe rehabilitation equipment. Our team supports equipment from multiple manufacturers and is a certified repair center for brands including RIDGID, Hathorn, and Dancutter.

Contractors can ship equipment to APS or bring it directly to our Anderson, South Carolina facility for evaluation.

And your equipment does not have to have been purchased from APS for us to take a look at it.

Our goal is simple: identify the problem, make the proper repair, test the equipment, and help get it back into the field as quickly as possible.

Have equipment that needs to be repaired? Contact American Pipelining Solutions at (888) 258-9359 or submit a repair request through the APS Repair Center.

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