Collapsed Drain Repair

A collapsed drain is repaired in two steps: we find the exact break with a CCTV camera, then either dig down and replace the broken length or, where the pipe is still holding its shape, fit a no-dig patch from inside. Call 07427 195142 to arrange the survey first, so the repair fixes the real fault.

Warning signs

A collapse rarely announces itself all at once. More often you notice a pattern:

• The same drain blocking again and again, even after it has been cleared
• A dip, soft patch or small hole appearing in a lawn, path or driveway
• Damp patches or a sewage smell near the line of the drain
• Water slow to leave the bath, sink or toilet across the house
• Rats around the property, which can get in through a broken pipe

Why drains collapse

Age is the biggest factor. Many older homes still run on clay pipes laid in short lengths with mortar joints, and over decades the ground moves, joints open and the pipe cracks. Roots find those gaps, grow inside and split the pipe further. Heavy vehicles over a shallow drain, nearby digging, and soil washing away around a leaking joint can all leave a section without support until it gives way.

Finding the collapse with CCTV

Guessing where to dig is expensive. A CCTV drain survey puts a camera through the pipe and records the whole length, so we can see whether it is a single cracked joint, a partly deformed section or a complete collapse, and measure its position and depth from the nearest chamber. If the pipe is blocked solid, we clear what we can first so the camera can get through.

Digging or no-dig: how we decide

If the pipe has fully collapsed, lost its shape or is badly displaced, the lasting fix is to excavate down to it and replace the broken length with new pipe. We do that work ourselves; see drain excavation repairs.

If the pipe is cracked or has an open joint but is still round enough for a liner to sit against, a patch repair can seal it from inside without lifting the surface. That is covered on our no-dig drain repairs page. We will tell you which applies once we have seen the footage, and why.

Living with the problem in the meantime

If a collapse is confirmed but the repair cannot start straight away, there are a few sensible precautions. Use water sparingly, avoid putting fat, wipes or anything bulky down the drain, and keep heavy vehicles off the line of the pipe if it runs under a driveway. A collapsed section can still pass some flow, but anything that catches on the broken edges will make the next blockage come sooner.

If the drain blocks before the repair date, we can clear it to keep you going. That buys time; it does not fix the break.

What affects the cost

Every collapsed drain is different, so we price after the survey rather than guess. The main factors are:

• How long the damaged section is
• How deep the pipe sits
• Access: open garden, tight side path, under an extension or in a shared area
• What has to be lifted and put back, such as lawn, slabs, monoblock or tarmac
• The repair method the pipe condition allows

After the repair

Once the new pipe or patch is in, we run the camera through again so you can see the repaired section and the flow through it. You can read more about how repair work is priced in our drain repair and relining cost guide, or get in touch through the contact page.

Questions