Drain relining repairs a damaged pipe from the inside, so nobody has to dig it up. A new lining sits inside the old pipe, which seals cracks and joints. We use it where it suits the fault, because it often causes less mess than digging.

What relining does

An engineer soaks a flexible liner in resin and pulls it into the damaged pipe. The liner then presses against the wall and hardens. The result is a smooth new pipe inside the old one. Because the work happens through existing access points, the garden and drive stay largely untouched. How we can improve your drain with drain lining explains the method in more detail.

What relining can fix

Relining suits a pipe that has damage but still sits in place. Cracks, open joints and root entry are typical examples. It can also seal a pipe that leaks into the ground. However, it cannot rescue a pipe that has fully collapsed or moved out of line. In those cases, the pipe may need a repair at the damaged point, and collapsed drain repair explains the options. Our drain repairs page gives an overview.

Why we survey first

A camera shows what a pipe really looks like, so we survey before any lining. The pipe lies underground, so without a survey nobody can say whether relining is right. About the CCTV drain survey explains the process, and what a CCTV drain survey is covers the basics. Do you need a CCTV drain survey helps you decide whether to book one.

Pipe sizes and condition

Relining works on many pipe sizes, but the pipe must be clear first. The engineer must remove debris, roots and heavy scale, otherwise the liner will not sit properly. The pipe’s shape matters too, because sharp bends and collapsed sections limit what can be done. The survey records these details, so the plan fits the pipe.

When relining is the right choice

Relining makes sense when a pipe keeps blocking because of a defect. It also suits a drain under a building, a patio or a mature garden, where digging would be costly. Main drain keeps clogging explains why a repeat blockage often means a hidden fault. Blocked drain in Edgware: what 70-year-old clay drains need shows why older clay pipes often benefit. For simpler blockages, clearing blocked drains explains cheaper options first.

What relining does not fix

Relining is not a cure for everything. It cannot straighten a pipe that has sunk, and it cannot replace a section that has broken apart. A pipe with a solid object stuck in it also needs clearing first. Therefore, the survey matters more than the liner, because it tells you honestly whether relining will work.

Relining compared with digging

Digging up a drain means breaking ground, and that can mean damaged paving, lawns and borders. Relining avoids most of that, since the work happens inside the pipe. Even so, digging is sometimes the right answer, for example where a pipe has collapsed completely. A good engineer explains both routes and lets you choose. If you want a closer comparison, ask for it in writing.

After the lining is in

Once the liner has hardened, the engineer checks the result with a camera. The video shows a smooth pipe and sealed joints, so you have a record of the finished work. Keep it with your property papers, because a buyer or surveyor may ask for it later.

Who does the work

What a drain specialist does describes the people involved. Still, ask any firm to explain the survey, the work and the price before you agree.

Help in North London

Although we are based in Enfield, we carry out surveys and relining across the area. That includes blocked drains work, such as drain unblocking in Enfield, blocked drains in Barnet and drain clearance in Edgware. If you have a recurring problem, or a defect confirmed by camera, contact us via the enquiry form to discuss whether relining suits your drain.