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Home › Blocked Drains › Drain Repair

If a drain is cracked, collapsed, or damaged beyond jetting, it'll keep causing problems, blockages, slow drains, smells in the garden, or sinkholes appearing in the lawn. You can't ignore a damaged drain because it'll only get worse. Older clay pipes in Nottingham's Victorian properties are prone to collapse, especially where tree roots have pushed through or the ground has settled unevenly. The longer you leave it, the more damage spreads.

We handle both traditional excavation and modern trenchless repairs. For severe damage, we'll excavate, remove the damaged section, and install new pipe, it's the permanent fix. For less invasive repairs, we can line the inside of the existing pipe using epoxy resin, no digging required, minimal disruption. It's a problem we see regularly across Nottingham, from Victorian properties in Sneinton to newer builds in West Bridgford. We use CCTV to see what we're dealing with and choose the best approach for your situation.

Either way, it's a proper, long-lasting repair, not a patch.

Signs Your Drain Needs Repair

⚠️

Cracks visible in the clay pipe

If you can see the pipe and it's cracked, it's losing water and allowing soil in. This will only get worse and should be repaired sooner rather than later.

⚠️

Collapsed or crushed pipe (confirmed by CCTV)

When a pipe is partially or fully collapsed, no amount of jetting will fix it. You need excavation and replacement or pipe relining.

⚠️

Damp patches getting worse

If the ground above a drain stays damp or wet, the pipe is leaking. This damages foundations and creates ideal conditions for roots to push through.

⚠️

Foul smell from the garden

A strong smell of sewage over the drain line usually means the pipe is broken and leaking. The smell will persist until it's repaired.

What to Do Before We Arrive

1

Have a CCTV report ready

If you've had a survey done, bring the report and any photos. It tells us exactly where the problem is and what we're dealing with.

2

Clear the area above the drain

If the drain runs under a garden, patio, or driveway, we may need to excavate. Clear away plants, bins, and mark where you know it runs.

3

Discuss repair options

Ask if pipe relining is possible (non-invasive) or if excavation and replacement is needed. Costs differ significantly. We'll advise on the best option for your situation.

4

Plan access for equipment

Excavation work needs access for a digger or grab. Confirm which side of the property we can work from and whether gates or fences need opening.

How We Repair Drains

We use two main approaches depending on the damage:

1

Pipe relining (for cracks and minor collapses)

We push a resin-coated sleeve into the damaged pipe and inflate it. The resin hardens, creating a new pipe inside the old one. No digging, lower cost, usually one day job. Good for cracks and minor damage.

2

Excavation and replacement (for severe damage)

We dig down to the damaged section, remove the old pipe, and install new plastic or concrete pipe. More disruptive but necessary for severely collapsed or misaligned pipes. The new pipe is stronger and will last 50+ years.

3

Pressure test and certification

Once repaired, we pressure test the pipe to ensure it's watertight and doesn't leak under normal sewage flow. We'll provide a certificate for your records.

4

Reinstate the surface

If we've dug a trench, we backfill and make good. Paving, turf, or tarmac can be reinstated to match the existing surface.

Drain Repair Costs and Options in Nottingham

Repair costs depend on the damage type, pipe length, and access difficulty. Here's what affects the price:

Pipe relining

If suitable (cracks, small collapses), relining costs £300-£600 and takes 1-2 days. No digging required. Works well for properties where excavation would damage patios or driveways.

Excavation and replacement

Costs £500-£1000+ depending on depth and pipe length. The more severely damaged the pipe, the larger the section we need to replace.

Access difficulty

Pipes under tarmac driveways or established gardens cost more to excavate and reinstate than pipes in open ground. Tight spaces where a digger can't fit increase labour costs.

Shared sewers and connections

If the damage is in a shared pipe (between properties or to the public sewer), the cost is sometimes shared or covered by the water company. We'll advise.

Drain Repair Pricing

Upfront prices, no nasty surprises

We'll always tell you the cost before we start. These are typical price ranges, your exact quote depends on the job.

ServiceTypical Cost
CCTV survey + diagnosis£150-£250
Pipe relining (per meter)£300-£600
Excavation and repipe (per meter)£400-£800
Surface reinstatement£100-£300
Pressure test and certification£75-£150

All prices are estimated. Final costs depend on the specific job. We provide detailed quotes before starting work.

Common Questions

Got questions? Here's the quick answers.

How much does drain repair cost in Nottingham?
Minor repairs like resealing joints cost £150-£250 across Nottingham and surrounding areas. Section replacement (2-3m) costs £300-£600. Full drain replacement depends on length and depth, typically £800-£2000 for a standard garden run. We quote after surveying the damage.
How long does drain repair take?
Minor repairs take 2-3 hours. Section replacement takes 4-6 hours including excavation and backfill. Full drain replacement can take 1-2 days depending on length, depth, and access. We'll give you a realistic timeframe after assessing the damage, whether you're in City Centre, West Bridgford, or Beeston.
Can you repair drains without digging up my garden?
Sometimes, yes, if it's a small crack or joint issue, we can use patch lining or resin injection. But collapsed pipes or severe root damage need excavation and replacement. We'll use the least invasive method that gives a lasting fix We cover all Nottingham areas including NG1, NG2, and NG9 postcodes.
My drain survey found a crack, does it need repairing now?
Depends on severity. Small hairline cracks can wait and be monitored. Larger cracks or sections where soil is entering need fixing soon to prevent collapse. We'll advise on urgency based on what the survey showed We cover all Nottingham areas including NG1, NG2, and NG9 postcodes.
What's patch lining and does it work?
Patch lining uses resin-soaked material inserted into the drain and inflated to cover cracks or holes. It cures hard and seals the damage. It works well for small defects but isn't suitable for collapsed sections or severe root intrusion We cover all Nottingham areas including NG1, NG2, and NG9 postcodes.
Should I replace clay pipes with plastic?
If you're excavating anyway, yes. Modern plastic pipes are stronger, flexible, root-resistant, and last 50+ years. Clay pipes are prone to cracking and root intrusion. The cost difference is minimal when you're already digging We cover all Nottingham areas including NG1, NG2, and NG9 postcodes.
Will you reinstate my garden after drain repair?
We backfill the trench and level it off, but we're not landscapers. You'll need to reseed or relay turf yourself, or hire a landscaper. If we've disturbed paving, we'll reinstate it as close to original as possible We cover all Nottingham areas including NG1, NG2, and NG9 postcodes.
How long do drain repairs last?
Modern plastic pipe replacements last 50+ years. Patch lining lasts 10-15 years depending on use and ground conditions. Our 12-month guarantee is included with our membership plan, which also includes £50 off all our services, discounts on parts, £80 off our appliance store, and priority service against the same fault recurring, whether you're in City Centre, West Bridgford, or Beeston.
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