Drainage Guide
Drain Relining vs Excavation: Which Repair Do You Need?
If a CCTV survey has found damage in your drain, the next question is how to fix it. There are two broad approaches, and which one applies depends entirely on what the survey actually found.
What Is Drain Relining?
Relining is a no-dig repair. A resin-coated liner is inserted into the damaged section of pipe and cured in place, forming a new structural pipe within the old one. It seals cracks, root entry points and minor displacement without digging up a garden, driveway or floor.
What Is Excavation Repair?
Excavation means digging down to the damaged section and replacing or repairing the pipe directly. It's more disruptive and takes longer to complete and reinstate, but it's the only option for certain types of damage that relining can't fix.
When Relining Is the Right Choice
- Cracks or fractures that haven't caused the pipe to lose its shape
- Root intrusion through joints
- Minor displacement at a joint
- You want to avoid disrupting a driveway, patio or garden
When Excavation Is Necessary
- A full or significant structural collapse
- Severe misalignment that relining can't bridge
- Pipe that's crushed or deformed, not just cracked
- Access doesn't allow a liner to be fed through properly
How We Decide
We always start with a CCTV survey before recommending either option — guessing at a repair method without seeing the actual damage risks paying for the wrong fix. Once we know exactly what's wrong and where, we'll explain which approach applies and give you a fixed price for it.
Cost and Time Differences
Relining is generally quicker and less disruptive, often completed within a day with no reinstatement work needed afterwards. Excavation takes longer and usually involves reinstating whatever surface was dug up — factor this into your expectations if a survey points towards a more serious repair.