Varmfronten tenant-owner’s association: Relining gives new life to sewer

When an unexpected burst pipe hit the Varmfronten tenant-owner’s association in Skarpnäck, Stockholm, an urgent renovation of the sewer pipes became necessary. The association chose relining – a fast and cost-effective solution that extends the life of the pipes with minimal impact on the environment and less disruption for residents.

The association manages a listed property from the 1980s, located on the edge of a lake in Skarpnäck. The property’s vulnerability to subsidence makes maintenance particularly important. 

A burst pipe in December 2023 forced the association to bring forward the renovation of their sewer system. 

”Renovating in 2024 was not in the budget, but we needed to act quickly and initiated a dialogue with Sortera,” says Axel Beermann, chairperson of the Varmfronten tenant-owner’s association.  

Relining – a sustainable alternative

Instead of a traditional sewer replacement, where the pipes are completely replaced, the pipes are renovated with a new protective layer from the inside during relining. 

“Relining is both economically and socially sustainable. It produces less waste and has less impact on residents than a pipe replacement,” says Johan Mikkelsen, Production Manager at Sortera.  

Decision on renovation

For housing associations, renovating typically involves large costs. And the association often does not have the experience of similar work before. Therefore, Beermann recommends seeking help from an external expert. 

“We have had a neutral party involved in the project. They gave us recommendations both during the procurement and during the project. It has been a good support for us,” says Beermann. 

Mikkelsen emphasises the importance of having relevant documentation from the beginning: 

“Many parts of a property are hidden, and therefore it is important that we can give the customer clear information about the condition of the property, so that the right decision can be made.”  

A contact person for communication

Sortera was responsible for project management and dialogue with the residents to simplify the process. Despite the short notice for the renovation, the work progressed according to plan. 

“It has been a beneficial that all communication was handled by Sortera. There is only one number to call,” says Beermann.  

Tips for tenant-owner’s association 

Beermann shares his advice to other housing associations facing similar projects: 

• Have a close dialogue with the supplier about budget and financing. 
• Ensure that the supplier understands the association’s perspective, such as that costs are paid including VAT. 
• Plan for the complete renovation of the sewer but take one stage at a time for better control. 
• Allocate time for the project – from procurement to implementation, commitment from the association’s board is essential.