What Causes Collapsed Drains and How to Fix Them
Collapsed drains are a serious concern for any property owner. They can cause major disruption and potential damage if not fixed quickly. At Drainage & Plumbing LTD, we serve South East England within a 25-mile radius, including areas like Croydon, Sutton, Wallington, and Bromley. We’re experts in finding and fixing all sorts of drainage problems, even complex collapsed drains. Our 24/7 emergency service means we’re always here when you need us most, providing fast and effective solutions to keep things running smoothly.
What Causes Drains to Collapse?
Drains can collapse for several reasons, often without you knowing until the problem gets bad. Knowing what causes these collapses can help you prevent them and act quickly when they happen.
Common Causes of Drain Collapse:
- Ground Movement: If the ground shifts due to things like earthquakes, heavy rain, or even nearby building work, it can put huge pressure on underground pipes, causing them to crack and eventually collapse.
- Tree Root Invasion: Tree roots are always looking for water and nutrients. They can get into even tiny cracks in pipes, grow inside them, and eventually cause the pipes to break or collapse.
- Aging Pipes: Older pipes, especially those made from clay or pitch fibre, wear out over time. Rust, tired materials, and general wear can weaken the pipes, making them likely to collapse.
- Poor Installation: If drains weren’t installed properly, without the right support, they can sag or break under the weight of the soil and water.
- Heavy Loads and Traffic: Drains under driveways, roads, or busy footpaths can suffer from constant pressure and shaking, leading to cracks and collapse over time.
- Chemical Corrosion: Harsh chemicals poured down drains can eat away at pipe materials, making them weaker and more likely to collapse.
Recognizing the Symptoms of a Collapsed Drain
Catching the signs of a collapsed drain early can save you a lot of time, money, and stress. Some signs are obvious, while others can be subtle and might be mistaken for small issues.
Key Symptoms to Look Out For:
- Slow Draining or Blocked Drains: One of the most common signs is water taking a very long time to drain from sinks, showers, or toilets. Or, you might have drains that keep getting blocked even after you try to clear them.
- Bad Smells: A constant, unpleasant sewage smell coming from your drains or around your property is a strong sign that a pipe is broken or collapsed and wastewater is leaking out.
- Sinking Ground or Sinkholes: If you see dips, low spots, or actual sinkholes in your garden, driveway, or paved areas, it could mean the soil underneath has been washed away by a leaking or collapsed drain.
- Waterlogging or Damp Patches: Unexplained wet patches or standing water in your garden, especially when it’s dry, could mean an underground pipe is leaking water into the soil.
- Damage to Your Property: In serious cases, a collapsed drain undermining your property’s foundation can lead to cracks in walls, damp basements, or even make your building unstable.
- Pest Problems: Rodents and insects can get into your property through damaged drainage systems, which is a sign that your pipes are broken.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s very important to call a professional drainage service like Drainage & Plumbing LTD right away. We use advanced equipment, including CCTV drain surveys, to find the exact location and type of damage.
Effective Repair Options for Collapsed Drains
At Drainage & Plumbing LTD, we offer a variety of effective solutions for collapsed drains. We tailor our approach to the specific damage and its location. Our goal is to provide fast, reliable, and professional drainage and plumbing services across all of South East England, ensuring you’re happy with our work.
Our Expert Repair Solutions:
- CCTV Drain Surveys: Before we start any repairs, we do thorough CCTV drain surveys. This lets our highly trained and certified technicians see inside your pipes, accurately diagnose the problem, and decide the best way to fix it without digging everything up.
- Drain Relining: For small cracks or minor collapses, drain relining is a method where we don’t have to dig. We insert a special sleeve soaked in resin into the damaged pipe. This sleeve is then inflated and hardened, creating a strong, new pipe inside the old one, causing minimal disruption.
- Drain Patching: Similar to relining but for very specific damage, drain patching involves applying a patch directly to the broken part of the pipe, strengthening it and making it work properly again.
- Excavation and Replacement: For badly collapsed or very damaged drains, we might need to dig. Our team will carefully dig up the affected area, remove the broken pipe, and replace it with new, high-quality pipes. We make sure to cause as little disruption as possible and get your property back to normal quickly.
- Root Cutting and Barrier Installation: If tree roots are the problem, we’ll use special equipment to cut and remove them. Then, we’ll suggest root barriers or replacing pipes with materials that resist roots to stop future issues.
Contact Us Today
Don’t let a collapsed drain cause more damage to your home or business. Reach out to Drainage & Plumbing LTD for reliable, professional drainage and plumbing services across South East England.
- Phone: 07771200075
- Email: support@drainage-plumbing.co.uk
- Website: https://drainage-plumbing.co.uk
Send us your enquiry anytime via email or the contact form on our website, and we aim to respond within 2 hours.
Why Choose Drainage & Plumbing LTD for Your Collapsed Drain Issues?
When it comes to drainage and plumbing services in South East England, we stand out because we’re reliable, experts, and committed to customer care. We’re your local go-to for drainage solutions for homes and businesses.
- 24/7 Emergency Service: We know drainage emergencies can happen anytime. Our team is available day and night to provide fast and effective solutions when you need us most.
- Experienced & Certified Technicians: Our team is made up of highly trained and certified professionals who use the latest technology to accurately diagnose and fix problems, always following strict industry standards.
- Fast & Reliable Service: With over 900 projects completed, we pride ourselves on quick response times and efficient solutions to minimize disruption to your home or business.
- Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed: Making our customers happy is at the core of everything we do. We go above and beyond to deliver service you can trust, offering affordable prices and guaranteed satisfaction.
- Comprehensive Drainage Solutions: From unblocking toilets and sinks to major drain repairs and leak detection, we offer a full range of services to keep your drainage system working perfectly.
Don’t let a collapsed drain cause more damage to your property. If you think you have a problem, contact Drainage & Plumbing LTD today. You can reach us at 07771200075 or email us at support@drainage-plumbing.co.uk. We aim to respond to your inquiry within 2 hours. We’re here to help, whether you have a quick question or an emergency.
