Collapsed or Broken Sections of Pipes
A collapsed or broken section of pipe is one of the most serious drainage problems a property owner can face. When drain pipes fail, they can cause blockages, leaks, and even structural damage to your home. Common causes include tree roots infiltrating the pipes, corrosion over time, and accidental damage from construction or heavy vehicles. If a collapsed drain is not repaired quickly, it can lead to costly repairs, including the need to replace the damaged pipe and address any damage caused to your property’s foundations.
Identifying the exact location and extent of the damage often requires a CCTV drain survey, which allows a professional plumber to inspect the inside of your drainage system without invasive digging. With expert advice, you can determine the best course of action—whether that’s repairing the existing pipe or opting for a full replacement. Acting quickly is essential to prevent further blockages, leaks, and structural issues, ensuring your drainage system remains in good working order.
Tree Root Ingress
Tree roots are a hidden threat to drainage pipes, capable of causing significant damage beneath the surface. Attracted by the moisture inside pipes, tree roots can infiltrate even the smallest cracks, leading to blockages, leaks, and, eventually, structural damage to your property. Over time, unchecked root ingress can cause pipes to collapse or become severely blocked, resulting in costly repairs and extensive drainage problems.
Regular maintenance, including CCTV drain surveys, is key to detecting tree root ingress before it leads to serious damage. A professional plumber can offer expert advice on preventative measures, such as installing root barriers or choosing tree species that are less likely to invade underground pipes. Property owners should also be mindful of where trees are planted in relation to drainage pipes and ensure that routine inspections are carried out. By staying vigilant and seeking professional assistance when needed, you can protect your property from the costly consequences of tree root damage.
• Collapsed or broken sections of pipes
Common warning signs and signs of collapsed or broken drains include slow drainage, foul smells, visible wet patches, unusual sounds, or increased water bills. Recognising these warning signs early can help prevent more serious drainage problems.
Collapsed drains can occur from a number of sources and can be very problematic since it means that wastewater can be seeping into the surrounding area! If left unchecked by a professional drainage specialist, this can evolve into other issues, such as subsidence, mould in your property, or even damage to your home's foundations and the structure of the building. Collapsed or broken drains are usually caused by excess pressure from ground movement that adds weight on top of the drains, as well as corrosion inside older drains, and can result in blockage of the drainage system. A collapsed pipe can also cause a block, impeding the flow of wastewater and leading to further drainage failures. Collapsed drains tend to be more common in older buildings (although they can certainly occur in newer properties), but the effect of age brings on normal wear and tear that can cause damage. Fixing broken or collapsed pipes is imperative if you want to stop flooding, mould, or more extensive damage from affecting your home!
It is important to look for visible signs of drain damage and address them promptly to prevent further issues.
• Tree Root Ingress
If you live near a forested area or have trees in your yard, chances are that you will experience the effects of root ingress at some point! Tree roots are actively looking for water sources and nutrients, which means your drains, sewage pipes, and even the main sewer lines are exactly what they want to break into. Root ingress will usually go for the joints of your pipes, or they can simply crack and break holes into the pipework itself, including sewer pipes, which causes damages and can allow sewage water to leak out into the surrounding area. Roots can equally grow and spread in previously broken drains or sewer pipes that have been left unfixed, and fill them with soil.
It is important to know who is responsible for repairing root ingress: if the affected pipe is within your property boundary, you are responsible for repairs; if the root ingress affects the main sewer outside your property, the water company is responsible for maintenance and repair.
It is critical to repair these drains as quickly as possible to prevent further and more damaging side effects to occur, such as subsidence.
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• Cracks and Fractures
Cracks and fractures can appear in your drainage system and are definitely a cause for repair! These issues can be caused or worsened by the buildup of debris, grease, and soap scum inside the pipes, which can lead to blockages and increased pressure. Harsh chemicals used to clear a clog can also damage pipes, causing corrosion and making cracks more likely. Poor plumbing maintenance, including improper use of sinks, toilets, and showers, can contribute to both cracks and blockages. Flushing wet wipes and other non-degradable items down the toilet can cause severe clogs, resulting in cracked or clogged pipes. In the bathroom, sinks and showers are common places where soap scum and hair accumulate, leading to stubborn blockages and potential cracks. Kitchen sinks are also prone to grease buildup, which can cause clogs and damage to your plumbing system. Regular plumbing maintenance is essential to prevent clogged pipes and avoid costly repairs. Since many of the buildings and homes in London are over 20 years old, at the very least, the drainage systems within them are subject to wear and tear over the years. Victorian clay pipes, for example, are particularly susceptible to cracks over time from ground movement or vibration from construction or heavy vehicles. These cracks allow wastewater to flow out of the pipes and can cause erosion of the ground around your home. If you notice any of the indications of a broken pipe, call our specialists for emergency drain repair!
How Environ Drainage Services can help locate and fix your damaged drains!
At Environ Drainage Services, our highly trained drainage professionals are able to offer a number of solutions for drain repairs in London. A CCTV drain survey is the first step in evaluating whether or not you are suffering from damaged or collapsed pipes. From there, we can determine what the source of the problem is, from root ingress to cracks and fractures, in order to plan the most effective course of action so that you have guaranteed long-term relief! Our services include:
Call our office now or to talk to one of our knowledgeable office staff so that we can set up an appointment at a convenient time to tackle your drain repairs immediately!
