A cracked, collapsed or displaced pipe won't fix itself. Left alone, it gets worse, and the ground around it starts to move. If you've had a CCTV survey with a fault confirmed, or you're seeing repeated blockages, wet patches or subsidence near a drain run, the pipe needs looking at properly.
We carry out drain repairs and relining across Andover and the surrounding villages. Where the pipe's condition allows it, we'll reline without digging. Where it doesn't, we'll excavate only what's needed.
What the repair process involves
Every job starts with a camera inspection if one hasn't already been done. We need to see the fracture, the root intrusion, the joint displacement, whatever the fault is, before we can decide on the right fix. There's no point committing to a method before you know what you're dealing with.
From there, the two main routes are:
| Method | What's involved | Best suited to | Disruption |
|---|---|---|---|
| No-dig relining | A resin-impregnated liner is pulled into the existing pipe and cured in place, forming a new pipe within the old one | Cracked, fractured or root-damaged pipes that retain their basic shape | Minimal. No excavation, no reinstatement costs, usually done in hours |
| Excavation and replacement | The affected section is dug out and replaced with new pipe | Collapsed sections, severe displacement, or pipe too far gone to accept a liner | Higher. Involves breaking out surfaces and reinstating them afterwards |
Relining work we carry out is backed by a 20-year guarantee, which applies to the repair itself. Excavation-and-replace repairs are also guaranteed for 20 years on our workmanship. Liner manufacturer warranties vary separately and we'll confirm what applies to your specific job on the phone.
When a repair is actually the right call
Not every drainage problem needs structural work. A straightforward blockage usually doesn't. But certain signs point to pipe failure rather than a build-up:
- Recurring blockages that clear briefly then come back within weeks
- Damp patches on walls or floors close to a drain run
- Sunken or cracked paving above a pipe route
- Rats getting into the property through drainage
- Tree roots visible in an inspection chamber or toilet
If you're seeing any of those, a camera survey will tell you whether there's a fracture or joint failure. We can carry that out on the same visit if the situation warrants it.
Common scenarios we see around Andover
Older clay pipe systems are widespread across Knights Enham, Charlton and Foxcotte. Clay is brittle, and decades of ground movement, frost and root pressure do real damage. Collapsed sections on pre-1980s properties aren't unusual.
Newer estates aren't immune. Picket Twenty, East Anton and Saxon Fields all have PVC systems, but poor original backfill, heavy vehicles on unmade ground, or roots from boundary trees can cause joint failure or pipe deflection faster than you'd expect.
Out in the villages, properties in Wherwell, St Mary Bourne and Whitchurch often have longer drain runs across gardens or fields, sometimes with no accessible inspection chambers. That makes diagnosis harder, which is exactly why a camera survey matters before anyone starts guessing. We also cover Ludgershall and Tidworth for domestic and commercial drainage on accessible sites, though access to MoD-controlled areas on those patches is something we'll discuss with you directly.
What to expect from a relining job
If the survey shows the pipe can be relined, no excavation is needed at all. A felt liner saturated with a two-part resin is pulled or inverted into the damaged pipe through an existing access point, inflated, and cured until it's set solid. The result is a smooth, continuous pipe inside the old one.
Cure times vary. A short domestic section might be finished in a couple of hours. A longer commercial run takes more time. We'll give you a realistic estimate on the phone and confirm it once we've seen the survey footage.
Relining works on most pipe diameters found in residential and light commercial drainage across SP10 and SP11. The one case where it won't work is a pipe that's collapsed to the point where there's no void left to pull a liner through. That's when excavation is the only route, and we'll tell you plainly which applies to your job.
Where we work
We cover Andover town and the surrounding area: Picket Piece, Walworth, Harroway, Smannell, Andover Down, King's Furlong, Millway and beyond. Villages including Thruxton, St Mary Bourne, Wherwell, Whitchurch and Stockbridge are within our regular working area across SP10 and SP11.
Engineers are on call 24 hours a day. Every job is priced individually, agreed on the phone before we lift a cover, with no call-out fee. Call 01264 312680.