Drain Repairs explained
A drain repair fixes a pipe that has cracked, moved, taken in roots or collapsed. The right method depends on how badly the pipe has failed. A camera survey shows the damage, since nobody can judge a buried pipe from the ground. Ask for one first.
Two main methods exist. Relining seals the pipe from the inside, while excavation digs out the damaged section and replaces it. Each suits different damage, so ask the engineer to explain why they chose one.
Relining or excavation: how to choose
Use this table as a guide. The camera footage matters more than any rule of thumb, since every pipe fails differently.
| Damage | Usual method | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Cracked pipe that holds its shape | Relining | A resin liner seals the crack without digging |
| Open or shifted joint letting roots in | Often relining | The liner can bridge the joint |
| Collapsed section or squashed pipe | Excavation | A collapsed pipe cannot take a liner |
| Damage under a drive, patio or extension | Relining where it fits | It avoids lifting hard surfaces |
| Short run with easy access | Either | Ask for both quotes and compare |
Read more on pipe relining and drain excavation. Each page explains the steps and the costs, since the two methods differ a lot.
Typical UK costs for drain repairs
The sources below disagree, because jobs differ so much. Treat them as typical UK ranges, not York quotes. Each figure names its guide.
| Repair | Typical UK range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Relining, per metre | £80 to £150 | MyJobQuote |
| Relining, per metre (same page, other section) | £60 to £100 | MyJobQuote |
| Relining, per metre | £70 to £250 | WP Drainage |
| Typical residential relining job | £1,500 to £4,000 | WP Drainage |
| Patch repair | £150 to £300 | MyJobQuote |
| Excavation, per metre | £250 to £650 | MyJobQuote |
| Fully collapsed pipe needing partial or full replacement | £1,000 to £3,000 | MyJobQuote |
Ask for a written quote before work starts. Ask what it covers, including any surface repair, and ask what any repair warranty covers. A CCTV drain survey usually comes first, since the price depends on what the camera finds.
Rules and permissions
Approved Document H is the government guide to drainage and waste disposal under the Building Regulations. It covers pipe sizes, the protection of pipes, manholes and inspection chambers. Ask the engineer whether your job needs any permission, since some drain work does.
If you plan to build over or near a public sewer, read Yorkshire Water's build-over page first. It sets out the process, and any fee. This site prints no fee figure, so check the water company's page.
Older homes and roots
Older homes often have older drains. A 2008 City of York Council survey of private-sector housing found 17.9% of dwellings were built before 1919, and 36.0% before 1945. Pipes of that age can crack or shift.
Roots can enter a cracked or open joint while they search for water. Once inside, they trap waste and cause repeat blocks. Cutting the roots clears the pipe, but only a repair stops them returning. Read the warning signs guide for more.
Drain Repairs guides
Pipe Relining
Relining seals a damaged drain from the inside, so you need little digging. It does not suit every fault. This page explains how it works and typical UK costs.Drain Excavation
Digging out a failed drain section suits pipes that have collapsed. A survey keeps the trench short. This page explains when a pipe needs a dig.Local pages for this service
Local pages explain drain repairs for each town. Start with drain repairs in York, which is the main page. If you are further out, see repairing a damaged drain in Easingwold or drain repair advice for Malton. Each of those pages links back here.
Ask for help
Use the request form at the top of the page. Say what the problem is, where it sits and whether it is urgent, so the engineer can plan. Then ask for a written quote before work starts.
Go to the request formDrain Repairs questions answered
How much does drain relining cost?
WP Drainage gives about £70 to £250 per metre. MyJobQuote gives two different relining ranges on one page, shown in the table above. WP Drainage puts a typical home job at £1,500 to £4,000. Ask for a written quote, since the length of pipe sets the price.
How long does drain relining last?
It depends on the liner and the job, because materials differ. Ask the installer what design life the liner has, and ask for that in writing. A survey after the work shows the finished lining.
Can tree roots damage drains?
Yes. Roots can enter cracks and open joints. They then grow inside the pipe and trap waste. A camera survey shows where they entered, and a repair closes the gap.
Do I need a build-over agreement for an extension?
You may, if the extension sits over or near a public sewer. Yorkshire Water runs its own build-over process, so read its page before you build. Approved Document H also covers building over sewers.
What are pitch fibre drains and are they a problem?
Pitch fibre pipe is made of fibre bonded with pitch, and it can soften or deform with age. Not every pitch fibre run has failed. A camera survey shows its state, and the survey report helps you decide on a repair.