Drain Repairs

In short: Most drain damage, such as cracks, open joints and root ingress, can be repaired from inside the pipe using no-dig patch lining or full relining, without digging up the garden or driveway. Collapsed or badly misaligned pipes usually need excavating and replacing. A CCTV survey decides which, and shows exactly where the repair is needed.

Drains don't last forever. Clay pipes with mortar joints, still under many older homes, crack and let roots in. Pitch fibre pipes from the post-war decades soften and deform. Ground movement, heavy vehicles over a driveway and building work near a drain all take their toll.

The right repair depends on what the damage is and where. Here's how the options compare.

Repair options

Patch lining. A short sleeve of resin-soaked material is pulled to the damaged spot and pressed against the pipe wall until it sets, sealing a crack, open joint or root entry point. No digging.
Full relining. A liner is installed along a whole length of pipe, forming a new pipe inside the old one. Suited to runs with damage in several places. No digging.
Root and debris removal. Roots are cut out first, then the joint is sealed so they can't come back.
Excavation and replacement. The section is dug out and replaced with new pipe. Needed for collapses, severe misalignment and pipes too deformed to line.

How we decide on the repair

Every repair starts with a CCTV survey, so the decision is based on footage, not a guess. We recommend the least disruptive option that will genuinely last, show you the evidence, and quote before any work starts. If we think a repair isn't needed yet, we'll say so.

Signs your drain may be damaged

Blockages that keep coming back in the same place, a persistent sewage smell outside, damp patches or sinking ground along the line of a drain, rats in the garden or the house, and slow drainage that jetting doesn't fix are all signs that a pipe is broken rather than just blocked.

Who pays for a drain repair?

If the damaged section serves only your property and is within your boundary, it's normally your responsibility, though home insurance often covers accidental damage to underground pipes. If the damage is on a shared drain or the public sewer, it's normally the water company's. The survey shows which, and our who pays guide explains the rules.

Questions people ask

How long does a drain liner last?

Properly installed liners are designed to last for decades. A patch liner seals one defect; if the rest of the pipe is in poor condition, full relining is the better long-term fix.

Can a collapsed drain be relined?

Usually not. A liner needs an open pipe to go through. Collapsed sections are dug out and replaced, then the rest of the run can be lined if needed.

Do I need permission to repair a drain?

Repairs to your own drain don't usually need permission. Work on a shared drain or public sewer is the water company's to arrange, and new drainage work is covered by Building Regulations.