FAQ

Installer Network

No. OBIC is committed to developing and manufacturing high-performance polyurea products, but we do not operate as an installer. OBIC partners with certified, trained and approved installers for the application and installation of our materials.

Contractors/Applicators can contact OBIC to find out qualification requirements and available service areas. Those wanting to become installers need to have a desire to learn the sewer lining repair industry and have the ability to manage their own sales and marketing campaigns.

Click here to learn about our Certified Installer Program

Find a certified installer near you by contacting OBIC at 866-636-4854 or through the website obicproducts.com.

Safety and Environmental Impact

Yes. OBIC is committed to protecting and preserving our natural resources. All OBIC polyurea products are 100% solids and contain no VOC’s.

Yes. OBIC 1100 complies with NSF/ANSI 61 requirements and is certified by Underwriters Laboratories for contact with potable water.

Application and Performance

OBIC products are severe service liners used to prevent highly corrosive environments due to Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) from continued decay and chemical attack to structures.

OBIC products protect the interior of structures from chemical attack, abrasives, infiltration and exfiltration. Unlike some rigid epoxies, our products are strong enough to withstand extreme temperatures and heavy traffic while still retaining enough flexibility to prevent cracking with concrete movement. This characteristic allows them to have a much longer service life than other materials on the market.

Surface prep takes various processes depending on the application substrate. Typically, 4’ manhole rehabilitation projects will be water blasted clean with 3500psi.  Large diameter structures over 6’ diameter will be hydro blasted with ultrahigh-pressure >30,000 psi for surface prep and profile.  Sandblasting or mechanical abrading is required for steel and fiberglass structure lining.

The preparation process depends on the size of the structure as well as defects that may need to be corrected. This includes active infiltration issues. Contact an OBIC representative to discuss your particular project dynamics.

Yes.  Polyurea has excellent adhesion to concrete and steel surfaces such as castings and cones that are in the roadway.  The material’s bond strength and flexibility allow it to withstand the movement of the roadway under heavy traffic and freeze-thaw cycles.

The main benefit of using polyurea is a longer service life. Rigid materials are not forgiving when the ground moves under heavy traffic or during freeze-thaw cycles. In corrosive environments, this movement creates cracks and micro-fractures in concrete and mortar that allow gasses to attack under the coating and cause failure. Alternatively, polyurea’s tenacious bonding and elongation properties allow it to stretch and not crack.

Generally, manhole rehabilitation does not require the manhole to be taken out of service to rehabilitate. Preparation and installation take about 4 hours. Large structure rehabilitation will vary, and you should work with your OBIC representative to get an accurate estimate.

Eliminating 2.5 gallons per minute of infiltration with manhole rehabilitation can return the investment in 1 year. Less infiltration extends that time but still ensures a favorable return. On a larger scale, corrosive environments can destroy a structure in 7 to 10 years. OBIC saves the structure and eliminates the need for the disruption and costs of replacement. Clearly a favorable return on the investment.

OBIC 1000 is part of a multi-layer liner system installed as OBIC Armor.  Generally installed in wastewater structures, manholes, wet wells, headworks, grit chambers, clarifiers, lift stations, wet wells. This includes industrial wastewater structures as well. 

OBIC 1100 is approved for potable water applications and is installed in large tanks and pipe systems. Typical installation as single layer 80-100mil. 

OBIC 1200 is our semi-structural liner system with higher abrasion resistance for culvert lining and large diameter pipe lining in municipal or industrial applications.  Recommended installation into 60” and larger diameter.  Flex mod of 100,000psi and Shore D Hardness of 70.

OBIC 5000 is a structural lining that reinstates structural integrity, provides infiltration control, corrosion resistance and asset life extension of concrete, steel, masonry and other substrates. With its high abrasion and chemical resistance, adhesion and corrosion protection properties, it is ideally suited for the rehabilitation, renewal or proactive protection of wastewater, stormwater and industrial process water system structures.

Quality and Certification

NSF/ANSI Standard 61 (NSF-61) is a set of national standards that relates to water treatment and establishes stringent requirements for the control of equipment that comes in contact with either potable water or products that support the production of potable water. Any manufacturer that sells or distributes water treatment or distribution products in North America are required to comply with NSF/ANSI 61: Drinking Water System Components – Health Effects by most governmental agencies that regulate drinking water supplies.

OBIC 1100 and OBIC Prime 1505PW comply with NSF requirements and are certified by Underwriters Laboratories.

Yes. OBIC polyurea coatings are manufactured in an ISO 9001:2015 complex.

The average shelf life is 12 months under normal conditions in factory sealed containers.

All OBIC products are certified by the manufacturer then sent on for independent, third-party testing. Additionally, the OBIC 1000, OBIC 1200 and OBIC 5000 have all passed ASTM G210 Severe Wastewater Analysis Testing (SWAT).

Yes. OBIC Armor Multi-Layer Liner System provides a 10-year joint (manufacturer/installer) warranty.  The manufacturer will warrant material during the warranty period, and your certified installer will provide a warranty on the proper installation.

Usually, we need manhole locations (maps) and access to water for prep. Otherwise, we are self-sufficient.

Our products cure in 10-15 seconds, allowing us to get you back in service in 1-2 hours. This helps keep bypass times and costs down at pump stations.

Depending on the project, the installation crew will be made up of 2-4 people.

The surface needs to be dry with no leaks or active infiltration.

Yes. Our complete line of OBIC Grouts effectively stop all types of leaks.

Yes, OBIC products are flexible enough to be used for the rehabilitation of manholes of all shapes and materials.

The OBIC Armor Multi-Layer Liner System provides a 10-year joint (manufacturer/installer) warranty. The manufacturer will warrant material during the warranty period, and your certified installer will provide a warranty on the proper installation.

This warranty is only valid for professionally installed OBIC Armor Multi-Layer Liner Systems.

Lunch and Learn Product Demonstration

Lunch and learns and demos are a cost-effective way to provide your staff with insight and information on products and processes. Learning about OBIC sewer lining repair systems can help your staff plan and execute their projects while learning how to avoid common pitfalls.

Yes. We customize the lunch and learn agenda based on your specific needs. OBIC has a wide variety of sewer lining repair products available that cover sanitary sewer, storm sewer, potable water and bridge decks. We understand that your time is valuable, and will work with you to customize the agenda to ensure we are addressing your needs and interests.

Since lunch and learns are customizable based on each client’s needs and interests, they can be of value to audiences that include city and municipal authority personnel interested in maintaining the infrastructure of the city or municipality; as well as engineers, designers, project managers or inspectors who want to learn about the capability of using a high-quality coating system.

Yes.  OBIC will provide lunch for the group as thank you for taking the time to learn about our systems.

Schedule a customized lunch and learn or demo by contacting OBIC at 866-636-4854 or through the website www.obicproducts.com.

Manhole Rehabilitation