Not every defect needs a repair
Older clay drainage in Scotland will nearly always show some wear. Fine cracking, minor displacement at a joint and light scaling are common and often need nothing more than keeping an eye on. What matters is whether the defect is affecting flow now or is likely to within a few years.
The three practical categories
- Act now: collapse, severe displacement, heavy root mass or anything already causing blockages.
- Plan for it: open joints, moderate cracking and areas holding water that will worsen with time.
- Note and monitor: minor wear that is worth recording and re-checking in a few years.
If you are buying
A report with defect locations, depths and costed repairs turns a vague worry into a number, and a number is something a solicitor can act on. Buyers commonly use it to renegotiate the price, to ask for a retention until work is done, or simply to walk in knowing what the first year holds.
Because missives move quickly, we write reports so that a non-specialist can read them, and we turn pre-purchase work around fast for that reason.
If you already own the property
You are under no obligation to do everything at once. We rank the findings, price them separately and tell you honestly where the do-nothing option is reasonable. Anything urgent is flagged clearly, and anything that can wait is left for you to budget.
Who does the repair
The same team that surveyed the run carries out the repair, whether that is a patch liner, a full length liner or excavation. Nothing is subcontracted, so nobody is reinterpreting somebody else's footage.
Questions we get asked
Will a drainage defect stop my mortgage?
It is uncommon. Lenders are usually satisfied by a report that sets out what the defect is and what it costs to put right, which is why costed options matter.
Can I use the report to renegotiate the price?
Yes, and that is one of the main reasons buyers commission one. Locations, depths and repair costs give your solicitor something specific to argue from.
How urgent is a cracked pipe?
It depends on the crack. A hairline crack with good flow can often be monitored, while a crack letting roots in or holding water needs dealing with before it becomes a blockage.
Do I have to use you for the repair?
No. The footage and report are yours and any competent contractor can price from them.