A damaged drain doesn’t get better on its own. Cracks let roots in, broken joints catch waste, and a collapsed pipe can stop your drains working altogether. Prime Drainage Solutions repairs cracked, broken and collapsed drains across Poole. We find the damage with a camera, explain your options in plain English and fix it properly.
Call 0330 043 2648 to talk about a drain repair.
Signs your drain needs repairing
- The same drain blocks again and again, even after it’s been cleared
- A drain smell outside that doesn’t go away
- Damp patches on walls or wet ground along the line of the drain
- Paving, a patio or a patch of lawn sinking over the pipe
- Rats in the garden or around the house
- Water draining slowly from everything at once
Any one of these can mean the pipe itself is damaged. A CCTV drain survey confirms what’s wrong before you spend money on a repair.
What damages drains
- Age. Older clay pipes become brittle, and the joints between sections can crack or shift apart.
- Tree roots. Roots grow into small cracks and joints looking for water, then widen them as they spread.
- Ground movement. Settlement and changes in the soil can push pipes out of line or crack them.
- Weight from above. Vehicles parking over shallow drains can crush or fracture the pipe.
- Building work. Digging, piling or heavy machinery near a drain can damage it without anyone noticing at the time.
Drain repair methods
The right repair depends on what’s wrong, how much of the pipe is affected and what’s above it. Where we can, we repair the drain from the inside, which avoids digging up your garden, drive or patio.
Patch lining
For a crack, a broken joint or a single point where roots have got in, we fit a patch repair. A short sleeve soaked in resin is pushed into place inside the pipe and pressed against the damage. Once it sets, it seals the break.
Drain relining
When a longer stretch of pipe is cracked or leaking, we reline it. A resin-soaked liner is fed along the whole length and left to cure, forming a new, smooth pipe inside the old one. There’s no need to dig the old pipe out.
Excavation and pipe replacement
Some damage can’t be fixed from the inside, such as a fully collapsed pipe or one that has dropped badly out of line. In those cases we dig down to the damaged section, replace it with new pipe and reinstate the ground.
Root cutting
Before any repair, roots inside the pipe need to come out. We cut them back and jet the pipe clean so the repair can bond to sound pipe wall.
How we repair your drain
- We survey the drain. A camera inspection shows exactly where the damage is and how far it goes.
- We explain your options. You’ll know which repair we recommend, why, and what it costs.
- We prepare the pipe. We clear any roots, debris or build-up so the repair can be fitted properly.
- We carry out the repair. Lining, patching or replacement, depending on what the pipe needs.
- We check our work. A second camera run confirms the repair is sound and the drain flows freely.
- We hand over.
Who pays for a drain repair?
You’re responsible for drains that serve only your property and sit within your boundary. In Poole, Wessex Water looks after the public sewers, and since October 2011 that includes most shared drains and the sections of pipe beyond your boundary. If you rent, the repair is usually your landlord’s responsibility.
Some buildings insurance policies cover accidental damage to underground pipes. Survey footage showing the damage can help when you make a claim.
Drain repairs for Poole homes
Poole’s housing ranges from Victorian and Edwardian terraces to post-war estates and new builds. Older properties often still have clay drains, which crack and lose their seals with age. Newer homes usually have plastic pipes, but these can still be damaged by ground movement, heavy loads or nearby building work. Wherever you live, a survey shows what you’re dealing with before you commit to anything.
Areas we cover
We repair drains throughout Poole. We also work in Bournemouth and across Dorset.
Related drainage services
- CCTV drain surveys to find and measure the damage before a repair
- Blocked drains Poole if your drain is blocked right now
- Emergency drain unblocking for overflowing drains and sewage backing up
Book a drain repair in Poole
Call Prime Drainage Solutions on 0330 043 2648. We’ll start by finding out exactly what’s wrong, then give you a clear price for putting it right.
Drain repair FAQs
How much does a drain repair cost in Poole?
It depends on the type of damage, how much pipe is affected, how deep it is and what’s above it. A patch repair to one crack usually costs much less than digging up and replacing a collapsed section. We’ll give you a price once we’ve surveyed the drain.
Can a drain be repaired without digging?
Often, yes. Patch lining and relining repair the pipe from the inside, working through existing manholes. Digging is usually only needed when a pipe has fully collapsed or dropped too far out of line for a liner to work.
What is drain relining?
Relining puts a new pipe inside the old one. A flexible liner soaked in resin is fed through the damaged drain and left to harden. It seals cracks and joints along its whole length without digging.
How do I know if my drain has collapsed?
Common signs are a drain that keeps blocking or won’t clear at all, ground sinking over the pipe, persistent smells and rats. The only way to be sure is a camera inspection, which shows the collapse and exactly where it is.
How long does a drain repair take?
A patch repair can often be done in a single visit. Relining longer runs and excavation take longer, depending on the length of pipe, how deep it is and what has to be lifted to reach it, such as a driveway or patio.
Who is responsible for repairing a drain?
You’re responsible for drains that only serve your property and sit within your boundary. Shared drains and public sewers are usually Wessex Water’s responsibility. If you rent your home, your landlord is usually responsible for drain repairs.
Will a repair stop tree roots coming back?
Roots get in through cracks and joints. Lining seals those openings, which is why it’s a common fix for root damage. The roots are cut out first, and the lined section gives them no gaps to grow back through.