Drain repairs, unblocking and new drainage installations
Drainage Services
Drainage services cover clearing blocked drains, repairing or replacing damaged drainage runs, CCTV drain surveys to diagnose problems, and installing new drainage as part of extension, new-build or groundworks projects.
Definition
What drainage involves
Domestic drainage covers the below-ground pipework that carries foul and surface water away from a property. Work ranges from clearing a blocked drain and repairing a cracked or root-damaged run, through to designing and installing new drainage for an extension or new building, including connections to the public sewer or a private drainage system.
Suitable for
- Blocked or slow-running drains and recurring blockages
- Cracked, collapsed or root-damaged drainage runs identified by a survey
- New drainage connections for extensions, outbuildings or new-build projects
- Pre-purchase or pre-extension CCTV drain surveys
Not suitable for
- Blockages on the public sewer beyond your property boundary, which are a matter for your water company
- Emergency sewage flooding, which needs an immediate specialist response — contact your water company or an emergency drainage contractor directly
Process
How the work is carried out
- 01
Diagnosis
Establishing the cause of a blockage or fault, using a CCTV drain survey where the cause isn't obvious.
- 02
Access
Locating and excavating access points where a repair (rather than clearance alone) is needed.
- 03
Repair or clearance
Clearing blockages, repairing damaged sections, or relining or replacing pipework as required.
- 04
Testing
Confirming the drain runs freely and any repair is sound before reinstating ground and surfaces.
- 05
Reinstatement
Making good any surfaces disturbed to access the drainage run.
Typical timescale
A straightforward blockage is usually cleared within a visit; a repair involving excavation typically takes one to several days depending on depth and access. New drainage installations follow the wider project programme.
Cost guidance
Cost depends on the cause, depth and location of the fault, and whether excavation is needed. A CCTV survey is often the first step to give an accurate, itemised repair quotation rather than an estimate.
Limitations and exclusions
- Work on the public sewer network is the responsibility of your water company, not a domestic contractor
- Reinstatement of specialist surfaces (e.g. resin driveways) above an excavated drain run is quoted separately
- Tree root damage may recur if the tree itself isn't addressed, which is outside a drainage repair's scope
Areas we cover
Drainage across Sussex, Surrey, Kent and South London
Local property styles, planning authorities and neighbourhood coverage for drainage in each town we work in.
Evidence
Related projects
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FAQs
Drainage FAQs
How do I know if I need a CCTV drain survey?
Recurring blockages, slow-draining fixtures across the property, or unexplained damp near ground level are common signs. A CCTV survey identifies the exact cause and location before any excavation is planned.
Who is responsible for a blocked shared drain?
Shared drains serving more than one property are usually the responsibility of the water company, while private drains serving a single property are the owner's responsibility. We can advise on which applies once the drain run is surveyed.
Discuss your drainage project
Tell us about the property and what you have in mind, and we'll arrange a site visit.
Last reviewed 2026-07-19.