Drainage systems are vital in terms of keeping out, managing and removing excess rain and wastewater. Additionally, these solutions safeguard your home against damp, structural damage and flooding. They also provide protection for your property’s foundations from soil erosion and improve hygiene while easing pressure on public sewers.
So it’s definitely worth understanding the worth of your drainage solution and how best to look after it. Here, we give an overview of some of the key aspects that homeowners need to be aware of.
Common Causes of Drainage Damage
There are various reasons why your drainage system may fail. These include the intrusion of tree roots seeking water, ageing pipes, ground movement or subsidence, especially in clay-heavy soil, plus persistent blockages from fats and oils or other foreign objects. The problem is that, over time, issues such as these weaken pipe structures and impede the flow of liquid, so that you end up needing professional drainage repair to restore full functionality.
Equally, you may come up against structural issues such as collapsed or cracked pipes, corrosion or poor installation or design, while extensive vehicle movement can also cause breakage or misaligning to drains.
Signs you may need drainage repair
There are a number of these that you should never ignore, since these symptoms could ultimately result in flooding, contamination or leaks. Signs to look out for include:
- Slow-draining showers, sinks or baths, which are frequently due to damaged pipes or partial blockages.
- Gurgling sounds, again often down to blockages, from plug holes or loos, indicating blocked air.
- Bad smells, especially if these persist, potentially indicating broken, dried-out or cracked pipes.
- Water backing up into toilets or basins or something like a washing machine. Again, this could suggest a collapsed pipe or a significant blockage.
- Unanticipated damp, mould on water stains on floors or walls, can often be signs of a leaking underground pipe.
Meanwhile, outside your property, you may notice:
- Pooling water – this could mean a pipe below the liquid has broken.
- Strange vegetation growth such as green grass or fast-expanding moss on a lawn’s dry patch, could indicate the ground is being watered by a leaking pipe.
- An increase in pest activity, such as insects or rodents, might be because they’re being attracted to sewage leaks.
- Small sinkholes, indentations or cracks in the paving or ground could signify a collapsed drain.
If you notice several of these indicators at once, and if standard methods such as plunging fail to resolve the issue, seek the help of a skilled professional. Early inspection and repair are crucial – so it’s always worth keeping a regular eye out.
How are drainage repairs carried out?
Modern drainage repair methods typically involve CCTV drain surveys for the swift and accurate identification of the problem at hand. Today’s techniques are aimed at efficient fixes with minimal disruption at all times.
Depending on the damage which has occurred, your drain-repair expert may suggest one of the following methods:
- Drain lining: This trenchless, non-invasive repair technique restores broken, cracked or leaking pipes with no excavation needed. A felt liner impregnated with resin is inserted into the existing pipe, which is then inflated to create a new pipe inside the old one.
- Patch repairs: Again, this method doesn’t use trenches and is non-invasive – plus there is no need for any digging. With these repairs, you can seal localised issues. Resin-saturated fibreglass matting goes inside the pipe via a packer, which is then inflated to form a watertight structural seal.
- Pipe replacement: This process removes severely damaged, collapsed or deteriorated underground pipes before new, high-quality, long-lasting replacement pipes are fitted.
Talk to Clear Drains 4 U
At Clear Drains 4 U, we offer an extensive line-up of drainage solutions for commercial and domestic customers. Make us your one-stop-shop for a variety of drainage needs and services, from cleaning to flood response. Our skilled teams operate across Essex and Suffolk from our base in Colchester, we also cover Mersea.
What’s more, we never charge for callouts. You’ll be quoted a fixed fee including a year-long guarantee. Get in touch today for a quote. Or if your query is urgent, call us now on 01206 763353.
