Picote Case Study- Thanet Grange Brush Coating Project

Location:

Thanet Grange Call Centre, Southend-on-Sea

Year:

Summer 2025

Work:

Pipe rehab with Xpress Picote Brush Coating™

Strict Timeframe:

2 days over a single weekend

Pipe Type and Material:

DN100 (4") Cast and Clay Pipe including gullies

Total length renovated

Approx. 40 metres across 15+ sections

The Challenge

During the summer of 2025, Picote’s UK Technical Team was called to Thanet Grange, a busy call centre in Southend operated by a financial institution. The building’s drainage system had been identified as heavily corroded and partially blocked, with sections of clay pipe showing cracks and fractures.

The DN100 cast iron pipework included multiple lateral connections and limited access points. Much of the access was via floor drains and gully pots, with all connections running to a stack pipe and then on to the mains. In total, over 15 individual pipe sections required renovation, covering approximately 40 metres.

Because the building operates as a call centre, all works had to be completed out of hours during a strict weekend shutdown window. Access was granted Saturday morning, with all works required to be completed by close of play Sunday to allow the centre to reopen Monday morning without disruption.

As the property belonged to a financial institution, security was paramount. A guard was stationed at the designated fire door access point throughout the duration of the works.

The Plan

The Lining Division team carried out initial cleaning and structural patch repairs before Picote came in to complete the full system coating. They travelled to Southend on Friday evening, staying across from site to ensure a prompt start. The team worked two 12-hour shifts across the weekend to meet the tight programme.

After site induction on Saturday morning, equipment was loaded in and the Xpress pump system was set up and warmed. The team conducted their own CCTV survey to assess the standard of preparation. It was quickly established that additional cleaning would be required before coating could begin.

Preparation

High-Speed Cleaning

Due to upstream-only access in several areas, careful planning and the right equipment were essential.

A combination of the Picote Mini Miller and Super Midi Miller was used to carry out further cleaning. Various chains and the Picote Smart Spider were deployed to remove corrosion build-up and debris, with progress monitored continuously via CCTV. A wet and dry vacuum ensured all loosened material was effectively extracted.

The Super Midi Miller handled the heavier cleaning tasks and larger sections using a Picote Sweeper, while the Mini Miller’s flexibility allowed the team to navigate tight bends and gullies to reach sub lines.

Once the pipework was cleaned to a satisfactory standard, the team formed a plan to complete coating across multiple sections as efficiently as possible— critical within the restricted timeframe.

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Coating Execution

The pipe system layout meant working across more than 15 separate sections, often moving between gully access points located within male and female WC and shower facilities.

Thanks to the compact footprint of the Picote equipment, the team was able to operate efficiently within the confined spaces of the washrooms. Moving swiftly between access points, including in and out of individual shower cubicles, allowed coating works to progress without unnecessary delays.

By strategically planning the sequence of works, several short sections from gully to sub mains were coated using the same setup, minimising downtime between applications.

The resin’s curing time proved ideal for the project, allowing multiple coats to be applied within the available weekend window. Patch repairs were completed on the cracked and fractured clay sections first, then the entire 40-metre length was coated to seal all joints and provide long-term corrosion protection.

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The Outcome

All works were successfully completed within the agreed weekend closure period. The site was cleared and handed back on Sunday, ready for the call centre to resume normal operations Monday morning.

The project delivered:

Restoration of structurally compromised cast iron and clay sections
Sealing of joints across cast iron and clay pipework
Removal of corrosion build-up and blockages
Minimal disruption to business operations
Secure working within a high-security financial property

Through careful planning, the right combination of equipment, and efficient execution, Picote UK Ltd and Lining Division delivered a fully rehabilitated drainage system within a demanding timeframe and challenging environment.