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Drain repairs across Chatham

Serving all ME areas including Rochester High Street, Walderslade, Railway Street, Rochester

Call us on 01634 123456
Home › Blocked Drains › Drain Repairs & Relining

Cracked or collapsed drains need excavating and repairing. We'll dig down to the damaged section, cut out the bad pipe, and replace it with new plastic. For drains under buildings or driveways where digging isn't practical, we can sometimes use drain relining (a resin-coated liner inserted into the old pipe).

Drain repairs aren't cheap, but they're a permanent fix. Once the new pipe's in, it'll last 50+ years. We'll dig as small an area as possible, backfill it properly, and reinstate the surface (turf, paving, tarmac).

No call-out fee when you book with us. We'll run a CCTV survey first to pinpoint the damage, then quote you a fixed price for the repair.

Signs Your Drain Needs Repairing

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Recurring blockages despite jetting

If the drain keeps blocking even after high-pressure jetting, there's likely a collapsed section or severe root intrusion. The only fix is excavating and replacing the damaged pipe.

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Sewage smell in the garden

If you can smell sewage outside but there's no visible overflow, there's probably a cracked pipe leaking underground. Over time it'll contaminate the soil and cause subsidence. Needs fixing quickly.

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Wet patch or subsidence in the garden

A persistently wet patch or sunken area in the garden can be a sign of a leaking or collapsed drain. Waste water is leaking into the ground, washing away the soil, and causing the surface to sink.

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CCTV survey showing cracks or collapse

If a camera survey shows cracks, root damage, or a collapsed section, rodding and jetting won't fix it. You'll need the damaged section excavated and replaced.

How We Repair Drains

1

CCTV survey to locate the damage

We'll run a camera through the drain to pinpoint exactly where the damage is and how bad it is. This saves digging up the whole garden trying to find it.

2

Excavate and expose the damaged pipe

We'll dig down to the damaged section, usually a trench a metre or so deep. We'll shore up the trench if needed (if it's deep or the ground's unstable) to comply with safety regs.

3

Cut out and replace the damaged section

We'll cut out the cracked or collapsed section and replace it with new plastic pipe (usually 110mm uPVC for domestic drains). We'll join it to the existing pipe using couplings or jubilee clips.

4

Backfill and reinstate

Once the new pipe's in and tested, we'll backfill the trench with the excavated soil (or Type 1 aggregate if the ground's poor), compact it properly, and reinstate the surface. If it's lawn, we'll turf it. If it's paving or tarmac, we'll match the existing surface as close as we can.

Common Causes of Drain Damage in Chatham

Chatham's older properties have Victorian clay drains that have been in the ground for over a century. Age, tree roots, and ground movement eventually cause them to crack or collapse.

Tree roots cracking clay pipes

Mature trees in older parts of Chatham (Rochester High Street, Military Road, Gillingham High Street) have roots that seek out water. If there's a crack or loose joint in a clay pipe, roots will get in and spread, eventually cracking the pipe wide open or causing it to collapse.

Ground movement and subsidence

Clay soil, which is common around Chatham, shrinks and swells with wet and dry seasons. Over decades, this movement can crack rigid clay pipes or cause them to shift out of alignment. Modern plastic pipes are flexible and handle movement better.

Age and deterioration

Clay pipes from the Victorian era (1850s-1900s) are over 100 years old. The clay itself deteriorates, joints loosen, and cracks form. Eventually they reach the end of their life and need replacing.

Heavy traffic and vibration

Drains under driveways, roads, or paths can crack from the weight of vehicles or constant vibration. Older clay pipes are brittle and can't handle the stress. Plastic pipes are tougher and more resilient to this kind of damage.

Drain Repairs & Relining Pricing

Upfront prices, no nasty surprises

We'll always tell you the cost before we start. These are typical price ranges, your exact quote depends on the job.

ServiceTypical Cost
Drain repair (1-2m section)£400 – £800
Drain repair (2-5m section)£800 – £1500
Drain repair (5m+ or under building)£1500 – £3000+
Drain relining (per metre)£200 – £400

All prices are estimated. Final costs depend on the specific job. We provide detailed quotes before starting work.

Common Questions

Got questions? Here's the quick answers.

How much does drain repair cost in Chatham?
A simple repair (replacing 1-2 metres of pipe under a garden) costs £400 to £800. Longer sections (2-5m) cost £800 to £1500. If the drain's under a building, driveway, or extension, expect £1500 to £3000+ depending on access and how much digging is needed. We'll quote you after running a CCTV survey to pinpoint the damage.
How long does a drain repair take?
A straightforward repair (1-2m of pipe in a garden) takes a day. Longer runs or difficult access (under a drive, through a patio) can take 2-3 days. If we need to break up concrete or tarmac and reinstate it, add another day.
Will you dig up my drive or patio?
Only if there's no other way to access the damaged pipe. We'll always look for the easiest access route first (through a garden, from a manhole). If the drain runs under a drive or patio and that's the only access, we'll cut out as small a section as possible, repair the drain, and reinstate the surface.
Can you reline the drain instead of digging?
Relining works for some situations: if the pipe's cracked but not fully collapsed, and if there's access at both ends. We insert a resin-coated liner into the old pipe, inflate it, and let it cure. It forms a new pipe inside the old one without digging. Costs £200 to £400 per metre. Not suitable for fully collapsed pipes or sharp bends.
Who's responsible for repairing the drain?
You're responsible for the drain from your house to the boundary of your property (or to the point where it joins a shared drain). Yorkshire Water is responsible for the public sewer beyond that. If the damage is in your section, you pay. If it's in Yorkshire Water's section, they'll fix it (eventually).
How long will the repair last?
A properly installed new plastic drain pipe will last 50+ years. Modern uPVC drainage is tough, doesn't corrode, and resists root intrusion much better than old clay. Once it's in, you shouldn't have problems for decades.
What if tree roots come back?
If we replace the damaged section with plastic pipe, roots can't get in (unlike old clay pipes with loose joints). But if there's still old clay pipe elsewhere in the run, roots might get in there instead. If roots are a persistent problem, consider replacing the full run from the house to the sewer.
How long does drain relining last in Chatham?
A properly installed drain liner lasts 50+ years. We use epoxy resin liners that cure to form a new pipe inside the old one. It's guaranteed for 10 years minimum, but the material itself will outlast most traditional clay or cast iron pipes. It's unaffected by tree roots, ground movement, or frost.
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