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Jeff Moriarty of Utility Sales Associates in Missouri was able to secure these excellent before-and-after pictures of Polywater's innovative new PowerPatch Pad N Pole Repair in a field trial. Jeff introduced Pad N Pole to an Ameren facility that was having trouble with damage on the corners of transformer pads. In addition to wanting the holes plugged, they were concerned that the jagged corner ends could be hazardous in the field. Part of the trial was to compare Pad N Pole to a competitive patch they had been using, which was a simple peel-and-apply product. The drawback of that stick-on repair product, however, was that it could also simply be peeled off later. This trial took only 1½ kits and, to better highlight the structure of the repair itself, the results are shown before the patch was spray painted (which, by the way, can be done immediately after the sealant is applied--no need to wait for curing). Part of Jeff's sales pitch was to stress the importance of a "peel test": applying both Pad N Pole and the competitor on a flat fiberglass surface or corner of a cabinet. Brand X peels right off the surface--meaning the repair is vulnerable to gardening equipment, vandals, and curious kids--but Pad N Pole won't. That means that Pad N Pole produces a far more durable and functional repair. Their product is easy to apply, but can't make the variety of fixes that Pad N Pole can do, such as on poles and boxes made of various materials. Also, Pad N Pole can be cut to size, allowing for numerous fixes out of one kit. Its strength or thickness can be varied as well, simply by doubling up the matrix to achieve a stiffer patch, or applying multiple coats. Leveling the ground after applying the patch so that mowers don't break off the repair is a good idea too. Thanks to Jeff, this field trial went very well. Numerous other utilities have standardized on Pad N Pole for the same reasons. |
