If you discover that your drain has collapsed, it is vital that you seek the advice of a professional London drainage company such as Flo-Well.
A collapsed drain is a serious problem that needs to be dealt with as quickly as possible, the problem will only get worse over time and the costs to repair your drainage system can quickly mount up.
Unfortunately, a collapsed drain is one of the most severe drainage issues, and often the most complex and expensive to repair.
How do You Fix a Collapsed Drain?
Fixing a collapsed drain requires the expertise of a professional drainage engineer. First, we will begin by conducting a survey of the site to pinpoint the source of the issue.
Sometimes the source of the problem can be easy to spot, but in many cases, it requires the use of professional CCTV drainage survey equipment to locate the source of the problem.
Once we have ascertained the source and cause of the problem, we can provide you with the most cost-effective fix.
Providing the damage isn’t too severe we may be able to fix the issue using no-dig technology such as drain relining or patching the section of damaged pipe Because this is a less labour-intensive solution it will typically be the cheapest collapsed drain repair option.
If the section of drain pipe is completely collapsed or the damage is too severe for relining to be effective, the ground surrounding the damage section will need to be excavated so we can access and replace the section of damaged pipe.
This solution will unfortunately be the costliest, but at least you can rest easy knowing your drainage system is in top condition and unlikely to cause you any more problems in the future.
What are the Warning Signs of a Collapsed Drain?
There are several tell-tale signs that your drain has collapsed. We won’t go into to too much detail here as we have another post covering the warning signs of a collapsed drain.
But some of the signs that your drain has collapsed can be signs of damp, water that is slow to drain from all drainage outlets in your property, structural damage and cracked walls, strong sewage smells, flooding or standing water, sinking ground and subsidence.
What Causes a Collapsed Drain?
Collapsed drains are typically caused by blockages through misuse of your drainage system, above and below ground building works in the vicinity of your drains, tree root ingress, or simply because your drainage system has reached its end of life.
Can a Collapsed Drain Cause Subsidence?
Yes, leaking or collapsed drains are one of the most common causes of building subsidence.
If a drain is damaged near to a property, because the wastewater isn’t draining correctly, it can pool and soften or even wash away soil around the foundation of the building and cause subsidence.
If you have noticed cracks in external or internal walls, you may have a subsidence problem so it’s important you seek professional help as quickly as possible.
Who is Responsible for Repairing a Collapsed Drain?
This will depend on the location of the problem. If you share drains with a neighbouring property, or the drains are located outside of your property boundary, the responsibility for the repair may fall on your local water authority
If the problem is located within your property boundary however, you will most likely be responsible for any repair costs.
For more information please check out our blog post: who is responsible for a blocked drain.
How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Collapsed Drain?
Unfortunately, this isn’t an easy question to answer as it will depend on the severity and location of the problem. For more information, please contact us for a drain repair quote.
Does my home insurance cover the repair costs of a collapsed drain?
Possibly. You would need to check the details of your home insurance policy to see if drain repair costs are covered. Check out our post: does my home insurance cover drainage issues for more information.
Contact Flo-Well for 24/7 Drain Repair Services Across London and the South East
The professional and friendly drainage engineers at Flo-Well are equipped to resolve even the most severe drainage problems. If you suspect your drain has collapsed and need a professional repair, were available 24/7!
Please call us at 0800-197-8803 or complete our contact form for a free, no-obligation drain repair quote.