Goldace Industries contacted IDWe Ltd to deliver expert pipe freezing and valve replacement services at their Hemel Hempstead facility. They were experiencing a common issue – calorifier isolation valves were no longer holding. This made future replacements difficult, risky, and disruptive. The faulty isolation valves on the tank-fed cold supplies could not fully isolate the system. To solve this, we proposed a safe, non-invasive approach: use liquid nitrogen pipe freezing to isolate sections without draining the system. Our team completed four controlled pipe freezes, allowing safe access to the valves. We then replaced two faulty valves using crimp fittings, which improved system reliability and allowed future maintenance without full shutdown. Please read our case study below:
Project Overview: Maylands Avenue Industrial Estate, Hemel Hempstead
Pipe Freezing: No Drain-Down, No Downtime
We carried out 4 controlled pipe freezes using liquid nitrogen. This isolated each section without draining the system or affecting operations. Freezing avoided any need to shut down the building’s systems or disrupt staff working onsite. It’s fast, clean, and proven. Our engineers used nitrogen freezes to form solid ice plugs inside the pipes, locking the flow while keeping the system pressurised.
Valve Replacement: Safer, More Efficient Access
Two new crimped valves were installed during the freeze window. These replaced the old, leaking isolation valves. We recommended a 54mm valve to replace an existing 67mm unit. The pipework already reduced at that point, so this option made sense. This not only solved the flow control issue but also improved system efficiency and reliability for future maintenance work.
Crimp Fittings for Cleaner, Faster Work
We used crimp fittings instead of soldered joints. This method is cleaner, faster, and ideal for working during business hours. Crimping allows us to complete the job without flame or excessive noise – reducing risks and ensuring quicker installation times.
Why Pipe Freezing Works
Pipe freezing is ideal for commercial and industrial environments and it allows engineers to isolate a pipe section without draining the system. The service is a smart, non-intrusive way to carry out repairs or upgrades quickly – especially when time and access are limited. At IDWe Ltd, we specialise in live system intervention, including freezing, tapping, and valve replacement across London and the South East. To discover more about the benefits of Pipe Freezing, please read our guide.
Why Chose IDWe Ltd
Goldace Industries needed a reliable solution that could be delivered with minimal disruption. We brought the following benefits:
- No full system drain-down required
- Fast turnaround during normal working hours
- Lower fire risk thanks to crimp technology
- Improved future maintenance with better isolation
We helped their team maintain productivity while upgrading key plant infrastructure—safely and efficiently.
Get in Touch for Professional Pipe Freezing & Valve Replacement Services
Need to replace faulty valves or isolate live pipework in your commercial building? As a leading Pipe Freezing Company severing Hemel Hempstead, we deliver non-intrusive pipe isolation with precision and reliability. For 35 years, we have specialised in professional, pipe freezing and valve replacement services, as well as hot tapping completing projects across countless sectors and sizes.
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Can we help you? Talk to us about your project today, please call 020 8302 7644 or email info@idwe.co.uk
We can adapt our services to suit your industrial and commercial needs, learn more about our pipe freezing services.
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