Hidden Drain Trouble? Signs, Causes & Expert Diagnosis

Beyond the Blockage: Signs You Need a Drainage Inspection

A problem with your drainage system is obvious in the form of a blocked toilet or over-spilling manhole chamber. However, there are many other signs that something is not quite right and is not the result of an obvious blockage within an underground pipe. You may notice foul odours within your property, sink and toilet traps are siphoning, some rising damp issues, a crack has appeared on a wall or some external surfacing has become damaged or dropped these are the experiences of our clients which prompt a professional drainage system investigation.

Our investigations are undertaken applying our industry know-how of firstly recognising the issues and assessing with our years of experience all of the possible causes we have previously dealt with. We then back up our professional opinion with technology by gathering evidence with the use of our drain inspection equipment so that when we present our findings and diagnosis the property owner is assured our investigation was a success.

Not only can we efficiently investigate a problem drain we will provide a guaranteed diagnosis and cost effective remedial works quotation to put it right, We are complete drainage industry contractors who are competent not only in identifying the cause but also undertaking the necessary repair, replacement or addition to a drainage system that will solve the issue.

Drain Odours and Leaks: Common Culprits and Expert Solutions

Common tell-tale signs of a problem drain and some of our diagnosis include:
Unpleasant odours or “drain smells” within a property can be simply caused by a lack of an air admittance valve on an internal stack pipe or the requirement to replace such a valve. We have also uncovered stack pipes with open ends behind stud walls to be the source of foul odours. Incorrectly capped of redundant drains or buried manholes beneath raised extension floors has also on numerous occasions been found to be the source of such problems.

Rising damp or cracks appearing on internal and external walls is something we investigate on a regular basis to either confirm it is the manifestation of a problem within the drains or to rule out a link to the drainage system for a structural surveyor. When we have confirmed this type of damage to be caused by a drain the culprit is usually an open pipe joint or broken drain allowing waste water to run to ground which intern either saturates the ground and or the supporting ground to wash away resulting in a cavity.