Roots are one of the many problems that can cause a drain blockage. They infiltrate the drainage system and if left to their own devices can quickly block the route of waste water completely.

Drain maintenance companies can remove roots from the inside of drainage pipes using specialist drain cleaning equipment.

How do drain maintenance companies get rid of roots?

If a drain maintenance company believe that roots are the cause of the drain blockage, they may first carry out a CCTV survey inspection of the drain to determine the extent of the blockage. During this procedure a CCTV camera is pushed along the length of the pipe and real-time images relayed to a computer screen so they can be viewed by a drainage expert.

When the survey is complete, the engineer will use a spinning root cutter, which is the same diameter as the pipe, to cut though the roots. When the roots have been removed, a further inspection may be required to determine the extent of the damage caused. If the pipes structural integrity has been compromised, a liner repair may be needed to bring the pipe back to its full waste carrying capacity.

Drains don’t always have to be excavated to make repairs; they can be lined using a structural drain lining material.

If your drainage company has found that a drainage pipe leading away from your home is damaged, they will offer various solutions to repair the problem. The first being to excavate the pipe and replace the damaged section. This is the more traditional approach to broken drainage pipes and can be a good solution in some instances. However if the drainage pipe is inaccessible due to it running under your newly laid driveway, or if excavation is not possible due to space constraints, the drainage company may suggest a liner repair.

To carry out a liner repair, the drainage company will insert a resin impregnated liner in the pipe. This is blown along the pipe to the desired location and the liner is then inflated so it moulds to the internal dimensions of the pipe. This is then allowed to set in situ until completely dry.

A pipe with a liner fitted will be slightly smaller in diameter than it was when new, but the increased flow will mean that the difference will be unnoticeable.

Drainage pipes can become damaged over years of use at the sections where they join together. The connection points of drainage pipes are unfortunately one of the weak points in the drainage system. However, if you discover that one of these points is damaged in your drainage system, you don’t have to worry about a messy excavation. Sometimes, this damage can be repaired in situ by carrying out a liner repair.

A drainage pipe liner repair is a method of repairing a drainage pipe in situ. A liner is inserted into the system at the point of damage and bonds the damaged pipe together fully repairing the pipe.

The liner, much like a sock, is blown into the damaged pipe and sited at the exact point of damage. It is coated with epoxy resin which sets hard and bonds the liner to the pipe walls. This means that even small cracks and fractures can be sealed using a liner repair.

When a liner is inserted into the pipe, a small amount of cross sectional area will be lost, but what you get in increased flow of waste products, outweighs this loss in diameter.

A liner repair is a brilliant way to repair damaged drainage pipes, without the mess or trouble of completely replacing the section of damaged pipe.

If your drain maintenance company diagnoses a cracked or damage pipe, your initial thoughts may turn to concern regarding the excavation that may be necessary to make the repair. Excavation is not always necessary however as other solutions to repair damaged pipes can be found.

Pipe lining and repair

Drain lining involves the process of installing a resin impregnated liner into the damaged pipe. The liner is then inflated in the pipe and left to set. Whilst the pipe will lose a little in diameter with the liner in place, the increased flow will make the up for that loss. The liner repair will stop ingress of roots into the pipe and will also stop waste matter seeping through the damaged wall of the pipe into the ground.
Whilst a damaged pipe can cause lots of problems for the homeowner, the necessary repairs can be undertaken quickly and efficiently. And even if the section of damage pipe is unsuitable for a liner repair, the modern technology used by drain maintenance companies can locate the exact position of the problem so only a small section will need to be excavated to locate and repair the damage.

Need Drain Lining?

After recentlt being called in by a North London accountancy firm, we were asked to investigate a re-occuring damp patch at the base of a soil stack to the side of their building. London Drainage Facilities first carried out CCTV survey which revealed a broken bend to the base of the leaking stack.

Excavtion would have proved to costly and disruptive so we were instructed to carry out a small epoxy lining repair to seal and strengthen the fault.

A section of stack was cut away to allow suitable access, then a piece of flexible liner was installed downstream beyond the previosly noted defect. The liner was inflated using pressurised air which allows maximum cohesion to pipe host pipe.

Upon completion, new Timesaver couplings were used to re-instate pipe work which was cut away, and site was left clear and clean.

A full water test was then carried out which showed no further defects.

In this instance the full lining repair cost just £350+vat, whereas an excavtion would have cost closer to £1000+vat, and taken two-three days to complete.

Lining is a far more cost effective and simple solution than old fashion digging, hence the reason insurance companies and alike all opt for lining if the option is available.

Should you have any further questions or would like to discuss, please feel free to call at any time during office hours CONTACT.