Drain repairs in Broxbourne, East Herts and Waltham Abbey

When does a drain need repairing?

Clearing a blockage cleans the pipe. It does not mend it. A drain needs repair when it is physically damaged, for example a cracked pipe, a joint that has come apart, a section that has collapsed or sunk, or a run that leaks into the surrounding ground.

Signs include repeated blockages in the same place, damp or sunken patches in a lawn or driveway, a persistent drain smell outside, rats or pests drawn to the area, and a camera survey that shows defects.

What causes drains to fail?

• Age. Many homes in this area have clay pipes laid with short lengths and many joints, and the joints can crack or open over time.
• Tree roots. They seek out moisture and enter through joints, then thicken and block the pipe.
• Ground movement. Clay soil can shrink in dry summers and swell in wet winters, which can pull pipes out of line.
• Heavy loads. A drain that runs under a driveway, extension or parking area may not have been laid to take the weight.
• Poor workmanship. Pipes laid at the wrong fall or with badly made joints can fail early.

Whose responsibility is the repair?

A drain that serves only your property, within your boundary, is normally yours to repair. Since October 2011, the shared drains that serve more than one property, and the lateral drains between the boundary and the public sewer, have generally belonged to the water company, which is then responsible for repairing them.

In this area the sewerage company is usually Thames Water, even if your water bill comes from Affinity Water. Your bill shows who handles your sewerage. If a CCTV survey shows damage, the recording helps to show which pipe is affected and where.

How are drains repaired?

The right method depends on the type, position and condition of the damage. Engineers commonly choose between:

• Excavation. The ground is opened, the damaged pipe is cut out and a new section is laid. It suits severe damage or collapsed pipes, though it disturbs lawns, paths and driveways.
• Patch lining. A resin-coated liner is placed inside the pipe at the damaged spot, creating a new surface without digging up the whole run.
• Full-length relining. A flexible liner is drawn into the whole pipe and hardened, forming a new pipe within the old. It can suit pipes with several defects.
• Joint repair or re-sealing, where the pipe is sound but a joint has failed.

An engineer who has seen your survey can explain why a method suits your drain, and which options are not available.

Will the work need permission?

New drains and changes to existing drainage can be building work under Part H of the Building Regulations, set out in Approved Document H. A new connection to the public sewer needs the sewerage company's consent, and here that is usually Thames Water. Ask the engineer what applies to your job before it begins.

If the drain runs under a neighbour's land, you may also need their permission to dig.

Will it disturb my garden or drive?

It can. Excavation affects whatever is on the surface, and lined repairs need only small access holes. Mention in your enquiry any patio, driveway, extension or mature tree above the pipe, because this affects which repair is practical. Ask the engineer how they plan to make good any surfaces they open.

What should I ask for in writing?

• what is wrong with the drain, and where
• the repair method proposed and why it suits
• whether permission or consent is needed
• how the surface will be put right afterwards
• how long the work will take
• what documents or recordings you will receive after the work

Can I get a second look afterwards?

Many engineers run a camera through the pipe once the work is finished, to confirm it is sound. Ask whether that is included, and request a copy of the recording if so. Keep it with your property papers, because a buyer may want to see it later.

What should I put in my enquiry?

• your postcode and the type of property
• what was found, and whether you have a survey recording or report
• whether the drain is shared with a neighbour
• what is above the pipe, such as a drive, patio or tree
• any dates you are working to

What happens after I send it?

Enquiring is free and you are not committed to anything. Any work and its cost are agreed between you and the engineer.