Drain Relining vs Replacement: Which is Best?
Faced with a broken pipe? Compare the pros, cons, and costs of drain relining versus full replacement, and learn why a CCTV drainage survey is the first step.
Discovering you have a cracked, leaking, or root-infested drain is stressful. The immediate worry is often the cost and the potential disruption to your property.
When it comes to fixing damaged pipes, you generally have two options: Drain Relining (a no-dig solution) or Drain Replacement (traditional excavation). At CleverWorks, we always start with a CCTV drainage survey to determine which method is appropriate. Here is a comparison to help you understand the difference.
What is Drain Relining?
Drain relining is a trenchless technology. Instead of digging up the old pipe, a flexible, resin-impregnated felt tube (the liner) is inserted into the damaged drain.
Once in place, an airbag is inflated inside the liner, pressing it tightly against the walls of the old pipe. The resin is then cured (hardened) using heat or UV light. This creates a seamless, watertight, and structurally sound "pipe within a pipe."
The Pros of Relining
- No Digging Required: Your driveway, patio, and garden remain completely untouched.
- Cost-Effective: You save significantly on labor and the cost of reinstating surfaces.
- Fast: Most relining jobs are completed in a matter of hours, not days.
- Improves Flow: The new resin surface is incredibly smooth, often improving the flow rate of the drain.
- Stops Root Ingress: Because the liner is seamless, tree roots have no joints to exploit and enter the pipe.
What is Drain Replacement?
Drain replacement involves traditional excavation. A trench is dug to expose the damaged pipe, the broken section is physically removed, and brand new PVC or clay pipes are installed in its place. The trench is then backfilled and the surface restored.
The Pros of Replacement
- Fixes Anything: It is the ultimate solution. It can fix complete collapses, severe displacement, and incorrect gradients that relining cannot.
- Brand New System: You are left with entirely new infrastructure.
The Cons of Replacement
- Highly Disruptive: Digging trenches is messy, noisy, and disruptive to your daily life.
- More Expensive: The labor, machinery, and surface repair costs make it the more expensive option.
Which is Best for You?
The "best" method depends entirely on the condition of your existing pipe.
If your pipe has cracks, minor fractures, or root ingress, but still holds its basic shape, drain relining is almost always the best, most cost-effective choice.
However, if your pipe has completely collapsed, is severely misaligned, or has lost its downward slope (gradient), a liner will simply take the shape of the broken pipe. In these cases, drain replacement via excavation is the only option.
The Importance of a CCTV Drainage Survey
You cannot choose between relining and replacement by guessing. A CCTV drainage survey is mandatory.
By sending a camera down the drain, our engineers can assess the structural integrity of the pipe. We will show you the footage and provide honest, expert advice on whether relining will work, or if excavation is necessary.
Need to repair a broken drain? Book a CCTV drainage survey today or call CleverWorks on 01932 544 095 for expert advice in London.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is drain relining a permanent fix?
Yes, high-quality drain relining is considered a permanent repair. The cured resin forms a structural pipe within the old one, often coming with guarantees of up to 50 years.
Can all pipes be relined?
No. Pipes that have completely collapsed, have severe gradient issues, or extensive structural displacement cannot be relined and must be replaced via excavation.
Which is cheaper: relining or replacement?
Drain relining is almost always cheaper than replacement because it avoids the high costs of excavation, heavy machinery, and reinstating surfaces like driveways or patios.