Drain blockage is a common problem in most residential and commercial settings. Unless drains are regularly cleaned, they will likely get clogged as waste builds up over time. Most blockages are cleared using drain cleaners or power-washing the inside of pipes. If that doesn’t solve the problem, the next step is to look at drain relining as an option to give old pipes a new lease of life. But if the situation is so bad that drain relining isn’t an option and the drain has completely collapsed, drain replacement may be your only option. It is recommended that blocked drains be repaired as soon as possible before the situation worsens and progresses to drain relining or replacement.

What are the signs of drain collapse?

Poor drainage: If your drains get regularly blocked even after being cleared, this is a sign of drain collapse.

Damp/Mould: A collapsed drain will allow wastewater to leak from it, forming damp patches on walls and floors. Dampness creates a mould that is bad for health and should not be left untreated.

Sewage smell/backups: If you can smell sewage odour near a drain inside or outside the house, this could be due to backups and blockages. If this happens too often, then this could be due to a broken pipe.

Structural damage: Signs of collapsed drains may appear in the form of cracks on floors and walls. If the affected pipes are running underneath your floor foundations, then you should take any appearance of cracks seriously. Cosmetically repairing them won’t solve the underlying problem of cracked drains.

Subsidence: If the water has been left to leak through a broken pipe for long, this could result in subsidence. Sinking ground in the garden or slumping in the floor is a visible sign.

Rodent infestation: Rats thrive in sewers and can infest a property by entering through broken pipes looking for food. If you suddenly experience rat infestation, it could be due to a drain collapse. In this case, you will need drain replacement and a professional pest control service provider.

What things can damage pipes/drains?

Drains can collapse due to several reasons. Some of them are listed below:

Old age: Pipes deteriorate over time, and if you have old pipes, they may collapse due to wear and tear.

Tree root ingress: Tree roots growing around drain pipes can cause them to break.

Freezing: During the cold winter months, the earth freezes and expands, and when the temperatures rise, it melts and settles down again. This process causes drains to sag, which can cause them to collapse.

Ground movement: Any ground movement can cause pipes to break or misalign.

How to repair collapsed drains?

If you see signs of drain collapse, you should conduct a CCTV drain survey to assess the damage. The survey will identify the extent of the damage, and it is possible that a replacement isn’t necessary, and drain relining will be enough.

Clearground has been in the business of providing drainage-related services for nearly two decades. Our staff can conduct a CCTV survey of your drains and discuss its results with you. We will provide a no-obligation quote for all works identified and proceed further once you give us the go-ahead. Get in touch with our friendly team today on 0151-652 8010.