Drain repairs and replacement on the Isle of Man
When a pipe has collapsed, sagged or needs moving, the right fix is to dig down and replace it. We do the whole job ourselves: excavation, new pipework, testing and putting your surface back.
Or feel free to send a WhatsApp, photos welcome.
- We check first if a no-dig repair would do
- From digging to putting your surface back, one firm
- Tested and camera checked
In short
- When digging is needed
- Collapsed or badly broken pipes, serious sags, damaged manholes, and pipes that need moving, enlarging or a new connection.
- What we do
- Locate the problem on camera, excavate, fit new pipework and chambers, test it, backfill, and reinstate the surface.
- Our first question
- Could it be relined instead? If it can, that's usually quicker and less disruptive, and we'll tell you.
- Afterwards
- You get a camera recording of the finished repair for your records.
- What it costs
- Your first consultation is free, and we give you a free estimate before any work starts.
Which repair suits which problem
The camera survey decides this, not a guess. As a rough guide:
| What the survey shows | Usual repair |
|---|---|
| A crack, a leaking joint or roots at one spot | Patch repair from inside, no digging |
| Cracks and joint problems along the pipe | Full-length relining, no digging |
| A collapsed or broken-apart section | Excavate and replace that section |
| A pipe that has lost its shape badly | Usually excavate and replace |
| A serious dip where water sits | Excavate and relay to the right fall |
| A damaged or leaking manhole | Repair, rebuild or replace the chamber |
| A pipe in the way of new building work | Divert it, designed to meet the regulations |
Underground drainage, start to finish
- Foul drains and sewer connections from the house
- Surface water drains, gullies and channel drains
- Manholes and inspection chambers
- Rodding points and access for future maintenance
- Connections to septic tanks, treatment plants and soakaways
- Pipes that need diverting for extensions and new buildings
Because we do the excavation, pipework and reinstatement ourselves, you're not managing different trades or waiting for one to finish before the next can start.
How an excavation repair is done
Survey and locate
We use the camera to find the exact position and depth of the damage, so we only dig where we need to.
Plan and protect
We check for other buried services, agree where spoil and materials will go, and protect surfaces and planting nearby. Work on a public sewer needs Manx Utilities' approval, and work in the road needs Department of Infrastructure consent. New or altered drainage needs Building Regulations approval, and some repairs count too. We'll check what applies.
Excavate and replace
We dig down safely, remove the damaged section and fit new plastic pipe and flexible couplings, laid at the right fall on a proper bed.
Test and check
We test the new pipework and run the camera through before anything is covered up.
Backfill and reinstate
We backfill in layers and put the surface back, whether that's tarmac, block paving, slabs, concrete or turf.
Why older drains fail
Many older houses on the Island have clay drain pipes with rigid mortar joints. As the ground settles and moves over the years, those joints crack and open up, which lets roots in and water out. Some houses built in the 1950s to 1970s have pitch fibre pipes, which can blister and flatten with age.
Modern plastic pipes with flexible joints cope much better with ground movement. When we replace a section, we connect it to the existing pipe with purpose-made couplings so the old and new work together.
Drain repair FAQs
How do I know whether my drain needs digging up?
A CCTV survey shows the condition of the pipe. If it's collapsed, badly out of shape or sagging, digging is usually needed. If it's cracked or leaking at the joints, a no-dig repair may be possible. We'll show you the footage and explain why.
Will you put my drive or garden back afterwards?
Yes. Reinstatement is part of the job. We'll agree beforehand what the finished surface will be, and let you know if matching an existing material, such as an old paving pattern, could be difficult.
Who pays if the damaged pipe is shared with a neighbour?
That depends on who the pipe serves and whether it's a private drain or a public sewer. Our Isle of Man drainage rules page explains how responsibility works, and the survey shows which part is damaged.
Is a drain repair covered by insurance?
Many buildings insurance policies cover accidental damage to underground drains, but not wear and tear, so check yours. Our camera report shows what's wrong and where, which is what an insurer usually asks for. Whether a claim is accepted is up to your insurer.
Related pages
Been told your drain has collapsed?
Send us the survey, or tell us what you've been told, and we'll explain what the repair involves.