If there are suspected cracks in a drain, a CCTV camera is inserted into the drain for inspection. If cracks or fractures are found in the drain, there are two choices. The first is to excavate the drain, while the second is to line the drain. The whole drain may need lining, or patch lining may suffice.

Drain Lining

If drain lining is required, the drain is cleaned using a water jet and any intruding roots are cut with specialist root-cutting equipment. A structural liner is impregnated with either a polyester or silicate resin. The liner is inserted into the drain either by using air pressure or by dragging the liner into place.

It can help to contact a professional in drain lining Oldbury to find out which methods will be used for your drains. Once the liner is in place, a calibration hose inflates it to the shape of the drain and it remains inflated until the resin in the liner cures. Once cured, the calibration hose is removed, and the drain is checked again with CCTV.

Drain Patch Lining

As with drain lining, the drain is checked and cleaned beforehand. Fibreglass matting is cut to the correct size. An inflatable packer is connected to air rods and the repair position is marked. The patch liner is wrapped around the inflatable packer and is then inserted into the pipe.

CCTV is used again to check the position and ensure nothing has moved. Finally, the patch is inflated with air pressure until the patch liner is cured. You can find out more about this process from specialists such as www.wilkinson-env.co.uk/sewer-repairs-drain-lining-concrete-cutting/drain-repairs/drain-repairs-oldbury/.

How Long Will the Repair Last?

Drain liners are designed to be a long-lasting repair, and your installer should be able to tell you the expected lifespan of the liner they use. If your pipes have frozen or burst, here is some advice.

If you believe you have cracks, fractures or roots in your pipes, it’s important to contact an expert as soon as possible. The quicker you get the problem fixed, the less likely a crack is to cause further damage.

Related: What can CCTV drain surveys reveal?

Common causes of drain damage

Lining is often needed because of damage that builds up over time. One of the most dramatic causes is tree roots. Trees seek out water, and roots can force their way through pipe joints and into the drain. Another is the weight of the surrounding soil, which can make a pipe collapse in on itself.

More often, the cause is what goes down the drain. Fat and food waste poured down the sink set hard as they cool and can form an almost impenetrable barrier to wastewater. Wet wipes are another culprit, and even those labelled flushable are thought to cause blockages. Nappies should never be flushed, as they have no chance of reaching the main sewer.

Blockages and backflow can lead to flooding, so it pays to act quickly when drains start to misbehave. A camera inspection will show what the problem is and whether lining or patch lining is the right repair.