What’s Involved in a Drain Excavation for a Blocked Drain

Unblocking the Path

Blocked drains are a common nuisance in households and businesses alike. They can lead to unpleasant odours, slow drainage, and in severe cases, property damage. When traditional methods like drain snaking and hydro-jetting fail to clear the blockage, it may be necessary to resort to more extensive measures. One such solution is drain excavation. And that is where we come in.

The Need for Drain Excavation

Drain excavation becomes necessary when the cause of a blockage cannot be reached or resolved using less invasive methods. Common reasons for needing drain excavation include:

Severe Blockages: When a blockage is located deep within the drainpipe or sewer line and cannot be dislodged with standard tools, excavation may be required to access the problem area.

Structural Damage: If a drain has sustained structural damage due to tree root intrusion, ground settling, or corrosion, it may need to be replaced or repaired, necessitating excavation.

Collapsed Drains: In cases where a drain has collapsed or has been severely compromised, excavation is the only option to replace the damaged section.

The Drain Excavation Process

Assessment and Planning: Before any excavation work begins, a thorough assessment of the blocked drain is conducted. This may involve video inspections using specialised cameras to pinpoint the location and cause of the blockage.

Safety Measures: Safety is paramount during a drain excavation. The excavation site is properly marked and secured to prevent accidents, and protective gear is worn by the workers.

Excavation Equipment: Excavation typically involves the use of heavy machinery such as backhoes or mini-excavators to dig a trench that exposes the affected drain or sewer line.

Pipe Exposure: Once the trench is dug, the damaged or blocked section of the drain is exposed. Care is taken to minimize damage to surrounding structures and landscaping.

Repairs or Replacement: Depending on the extent of the damage, repairs may be made to the affected section of the drain, or it may need to be completely replaced. This step often requires skilled plumbers or technicians.

Backfilling and Restoration: After the repairs or replacement are completed, the trench is filled in with appropriate materials, and the excavation site is restored to its previous state. This may involve replacing landscaping, driveways, or walkways.

Testing: The repaired or replaced drain is tested to ensure it functions correctly and is free of blockages.

Benefits of Drain Excavation

While drain excavation is a more invasive and costly solution compared to other drain clearing methods, it offers several benefits:

Effective Blockage Removal: It can effectively remove stubborn blockages and resolve structural issues that may have caused recurring blockages.

Long-Term Solution: Drain excavation provides a long-term solution, reducing the likelihood of future blockages and damage.

Improved Drainage: It restores proper drainage, preventing backups and flooding.

In cases where a blocked drain cannot be cleared using standard methods, drain excavation may be necessary to identify and resolve the underlying issue. This process involves careful assessment, excavation, repairs, and restoration. If you encounter persistent drain issues, speak to our drainage team and we can advise you on the best course of action.

With no call out charge and all our drainage work and parts guaranteed, our reputation and quality workmanship has seen us constantly grow through the years to become one of the leading drainage experts in Glasgow and the surrounding Towns and Villages to deal with your burst pipes and blocked drain emergencies.

We have grown to become a complete drainage service provider that can match and exceed the service levels offered by some of our more well known rivals.  So when you suffer from a blocked drain in Glasgow and you need to call in the professionals – call JSL Drainage. As our list of testimonials and recommendations would back up – we get the job done!