Without functioning drains, wastewater and other unwanted fluids wouldn’t be flushed away into the sewage system, a situation which would have many consequences not least problems with hygiene. If your drains need repairing, it’s a good thing to get them sorted out straight away because leaving them could make the situation much worse.
How to tell when your drains need repairing
Looking out for the signs that your drains aren’t functioning properly is a good idea, as the sooner the problem is identified the easier it will be to sort out.
Five signs your drains need repairing
Draining slows down
If water takes time to go down the plughole, or the loo backs up, then it’s possible that something is wrong with your drains. It may be that the pipe is simply clogged up, but it could also be an indication that drainage repairs are required.
Nasty odours
The pong emanating from your drains is a warning that your drains are blocked or broken. Imagine all the debris that makes its way into kitchen and bathroom drains. Build ups of hair, cooking grease, food waste, soap etc can cause your drains to malfunction. If there’s a bad odour, which you can’t remedy yourself then there may be a serious reason for this.
Pooling water
Standing pools of water indicate that at least one of the pipes in your drainage system is leaking and that means you should call in a drainage expert pronto. If water is pooling around your property, it could potentially cause structural damage and also become a health hazard.
A drop in water pressure
If your shower or taps are suddenly producing a measly trickle of water, or you the loo isn’t flushing properly, then you could have a problem. Maybe it’s clogged pipes but sometimes it could be an indication of something more serious such as a drainpipe that has broken.
Subsidence
A collapsed drain can result in subsidence, which is a sign that the drains have been damaged over a period of time. The subsidence is caused by water leaking into the ground from the leaking pipe.
What is involved in a drainage repair?
Modern drainage companies will use a CCTV drain survey to identify the cause of the problem. A high-pressure water jet is the way the professional will blast through any blockage to clean out the system however any drainage repairs will depend upon pinpointing the damage and how it has been caused. A detailed camera inspection will be followed by a number of other steps, but if a drain is broken the only real solution is to excavate and repair.
How much do drainage repairs cost?
This all depends upon the work that needs to be done. If the repairs include drain relining, or drain replacement, you are looking at a starting price of around £100 per metre.
Are drainage repairs covered by your insurance?
This all depends upon the kind of house insurance you have and whether it covers your drains. It may be that your home insurance covers accidental damage to your drainage system which sounds adequate enough but if your drain is damaged through something like wear and tear then companies can refuse to pay out.
Need to get your drains checked out? Why not head to our drain repair page and find out how we can help you or get in touch today on 01759380646.