Permanent Leak Repair on Aging Lead and Oakum Pipe Joint

KHIA ID: 9902
Industry: Buildings & Structures (BSTR)
Application: VPF-Valves, Pipes and Fittings (VPF)
Substrate: Other
Customer Location: North Bay, Ontario
Application Date: July 2025
Products: Belzona 1984,Belzona 4141 (Magma-Build),Belzona 4911 (Magma TX Conditioner)
Problem: During the refurbishment of an old piping system within a commercial building, the customer discovered an active leak at a lead and oakum joint. These joints, common in older plumbing systems, had degraded over time, compromising the seal and allowing water to escape.

Leak through the hydraulic cement

Hydraulic cement removed and pipe cleaned with power tools to bare metal

Belzona 4141 to smooth out transition area

Full system wrapped and seal with Belzona SWII

Application Situation
Due to the age of the system and the joint’s location, a full pipe replacement would have been costly and disruptive. The customer needed a reliable, long-lasting repair that could be done quickly without dismantling the existing pipework. They initially attempted to seal the leak with hydraulic cement, but the leak persisted, so a more robust solution was required.
Application Method
The failed hydraulic cement was first removed, and the area was cleaned and roughened using power tools to eliminate rust and create a suitable surface profile for bonding. Once the substrate was properly prepared, Belzona 4141 was applied to rebuild and level the surface around the joint. This created a solid and uniform base for the application of the Belzona SuperWrap II system, which was installed using three layers of reinforcing wrap to fully seal and strengthen the joint.
Belzona Facts
Replacing the pipe would have involved significant demolition, higher material and labor costs, and extended downtime. Instead, the Belzona solution offered a fast, non-invasive repair that avoided those disruptions. The application was completed on a Saturday morning, and the pipe was back in service by Sunday. The contractor was very pleased with how straightforward the system was to apply, especially compared to more complex or invasive alternatives. Belzona provided a durable, long-term repair with substantial time and cost savings.
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