The warning signs you shouldn’t ignore

A broken drain can cause more than just a nuisance, it can lead to flooding, structural damage, damp, foul smells, and even health hazards. Unfortunately, not all drain damage is obvious. That’s why it’s important to know the subtle warning signs, so you can act quickly before a minor issue turns into a costly emergency.

In this post, we’ll walk you through the key signs that your drain may be broken and what steps you should take next.

1. Persistent bad smells

Foul odours near sinks, toilets, manholes, or outdoor drains could be a red flag. If you’re catching whiffs of sewage or stagnant water, it could mean a pipe has cracked or collapsed, allowing waste to leak into the surrounding ground.

2. Damp patches or mould

Damp spots on walls, floors, or ceilings especially around bathrooms or kitchens can be caused by leaking drainpipes. Over time, this moisture can lead to mould, structural damage, or rising damp.

3. Slow-draining water

If your sinks, toilets, or showers are draining slowly and it’s happening consistently (even after trying to clear a blockage), this may be a sign of a deeper problem in your drainage system such as a broken or misaligned pipe.

4. Cracks, sinkholes, or subsidence

Are you noticing dips in your driveway, lawn, or patio? Sinking ground or visible cracks can suggest that water is leaking underground and washing away the soil. This is often caused by a collapsed drainpipe beneath the surface.

5. Rodents or drain flies

An increase in pests like rats or flies around your property particularly near drain covers could mean a broken pipe is allowing access to food and moisture underground. Rodents can enter through gaps in broken drains and cause further damage.

6. Repeated blockages

If you’re constantly dealing with drain blockages even after clearing them, the issue could be more than just debris. A cracked or collapsed drain can trap waste and cause regular build-ups that won’t stay cleared for long.

How to confirm a broken drain

The most reliable way to diagnose a broken drain is with a CCTV drain survey. This involves feeding a small camera into your pipework to inspect for:

• Cracks and fractures
• Root ingress
• Collapses or holes
• Displaced joints
• Obstructions or corrosion
  

You’ll receive a full report, including video footage and repair recommendations, so you know exactly what’s going on.

Fixing a broken drain

Depending on the extent of the damage, your drain may be repairable using one of the following methods:

• Drain Relining – a no-dig technique that creates a new pipe within the old one
• Patch Repair – used for isolated cracks or holes
• Drain Excavation & Replacement – for fully collapsed or severely damaged drains
  

All of these services can be carried out with minimal disruption, and many are completed within a day.

Let the experts handle it

If you’re seeing any of the signs listed above, don’t wait. The sooner a broken drain is identified and repaired, the less likely it is to cause expensive or hazardous damage.