Here at IDEAL we’re known for discussing the more glamorous side of things in our home and interiors section, from tips on how to add luxury art to your walls to ways you can recreate a 5 star hotel bed experience at home. However sometimes we have to talk about the more practical things in life – enter cracked drains.
Cracked drains aren’t an uncommon problem for homeowners but they can have a range of serious consequences. When pipes are damaged in this way, they’re unable to fully contain the fluid that’s flowing through them. Due to this, leaks become increasingly likely. In addition to this, unpleasant odours and potentially harmful contaminants can also escape from the drain. Worst of all, total collapse may occur, causing structural damage if left unchecked.
Although occasionally badly damaged pipes may be obvious to the naked eye, the vast majority of the pipework in or on your property is concealed. This means you may not be aware that there is a problem present until substantial damage occurs or a professional technician assesses your drainage system. For more on the causes, how to identify the issue and also how to fix it, here are 5 tips for dealing with cracked drains and preventing collapse.
UNDERSTAND THE CAUSE OF CRACKED DRAINS
Domestic pipes can be damaged for various reasons. In some cases, older style drains may simply corrode over time. When this happens, the structural integrity of the pipe is weakened and it is unable to support itself, which may result in cracks developing.
However, newer drains can become cracked or damaged, too. Wandering tree roots or inappropriate materials passing through the drain can easily damage modern, plastic pipes and cause cracked drains, for example. In addition to this, a blocked drain can cause damage to the surrounding pipework if it isn’t rectified quickly. As the blockage increases in size, it places undue pressure on the pipe. When the pipe can no longer contain the blockage, cracks occur. At this point, the cracks may cause a slow leak into the surrounding areas or the drain may collapse entirely. And you don’t want that, ever.
IDENTIFYING CRACKED DRAINS
The most effective way to identify cracked pipes is via a CCTV drain survey. Using specialist equipment, technicians can view the interior of the pipes to determine whether any cracks are present. As most of the drains on your property cannot be visually inspected with ease, this ensures a complete and thorough assessment can take place.
As well as being an effective way to identify cracked drains or other issues, a CCTV drain survey has the added advantage of being a ‘no-dig’ solution. The equipment can simply be fed through the drain, which means there is no need to dig down or excavate the pipework to assess whether or not damage has occurred.
DRAIN RELINING
If your drains are confirmed to have cracks in them, relining might be your best and cheapest repair option. Typically installed in resin form, the liner is carefully moved into place using state-of-the-art technology and techniques. Once in place and fully set, the liner bonds to the interior of the drain and acts as a sleeve within it.
A drain liner ensures that any cracks in the existing pipework are irrelevant, as the contents of the drain now flow through the liner only, rather than the pipe itself. Acting as a ‘drain within a drain’, relining provides a permanent solution to cracked drains.
As well as being an extremely effective way of repairing cracked drains, relining is also relatively low cost, at an average of around £750 for ten metres. The entire process can be carried out using ‘trenchless technology’, which means technicians won’t need to excavate the pipes. This allows the work to be completed more quickly and with far less intrusion, so you can look forward to speedy fixes and efficient repairs.
DRAIN REPLACEMENT
If a drain is very badly damaged, you may be forced to remove and replace it. Although this represents an all-encompassing option and a level of closure, it does mean that excavation work will need to take place, which adds to the cost and complexity of the project. For those hoping to keep any home renovation or maintenance costs down, this spells bad news.
Fortunately, the need for drain replacement can often be avoided. As most cracked drains sustain damage over time, a swift response ensures alternative solutions can be used before extensive damage occurs.
WHEN TO RELINE YOUR DRAINS
If pipework is cracked or broken in some way, a suitable repair must be carried out. Delaying the work simply increases the risk of a drain, and even floor, collapse. Furthermore, cracked and leaking drains allow water, sewage and bacteria to escape, so you could be putting your health at risk if you don’t take action quickly.
However, you may not know that the drains on your property have developed cracks until a noticeable leak or flooding occurs. This is why it’s so important to undertake regular maintenance work. With routine CCTV drain surveys, for example, a thorough assessment of your drainage system can take place and any issues can be quickly identified.
What’s more, routine maintenance carried out by a team of professionals will alert you to any potential problems at the outset. This gives you additional time to consider your options and plan for work to be carried out. If you want to avoid last-minute emergencies and urgent callouts, regular maintenance and inspection are essential.