Drain Relining & Repairs

No-dig drain repair and pipe rehabilitation for commercial and industrial sites throughout the UK — using approved cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) technology

Approved CIPP Drain Relining Installers

Drain Alert are approved installers of cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) drain relining — a proven, no-dig technology that restores the structural integrity of damaged drainage pipes without the disruption, cost, and time associated with conventional excavation. Our CIPP relining solutions are suitable for all pipe diameters from 100mm upwards, covering the full range of commercial and industrial drainage applications.

Whether your pipework has suffered structural failure, is affected by tree root ingress, or has deteriorated over time, drain relining offers a durable, cost-effective repair that performs like a new pipe — and is designed to last. Our structural CIPP liners carry a 100-year design life.

Approved CIPP installers. Pipe diameters from 100mm upwards. 100-year design life. Suitable for commercial and industrial drainage systems of all types.

Common Causes of Structural Drain Damage

Commercial and industrial drainage systems are subject to a range of stresses that can cause pipes to crack, fracture, displace, or collapse over time. Understanding the cause of the damage is an important first step in determining the most appropriate repair method. The most common causes we encounter include:

  • Ground settlement: Gradual movement of the ground around buried pipework can cause joints to separate, pipes to crack, and in severe cases, sections of drain to collapse entirely
  • Tree root ingress: Tree roots are drawn towards moisture and nutrients in drainage systems. Over time they penetrate pipe joints and cracks, causing fractures, blockages, and accelerated structural deterioration
  • Displaced or misaligned joints: Ground movement, poor installation, or age can cause pipe joints to separate, creating gaps that allow groundwater ingress and the formation of voids in the surrounding ground
  • Corrosion and chemical attack: Industrial drainage systems are often exposed to corrosive substances, acids, alkalis, and high-temperature effluent that can degrade pipe materials over time
  • Age-related deterioration: Older clay, brick, and vitrified pipe systems in particular can develop widespread cracking, spalling, and structural weakness that compromises drainage performance
  • Void formation and partial collapse: Leaking joints or cracked pipes allow water to escape into the surrounding ground, washing away bedding material and creating voids that can lead to partial or total pipe collapse

Starting With a CCTV Drain Survey

Before any relining or repair work is carried out, Drain Alert will typically undertake a CCTV drain inspection of the affected pipework. This is a critical step — it allows our engineers to gather the precise information needed to design the most appropriate and cost-effective repair solution.

The CCTV survey provides detailed data on:

  • The nature and severity of the damage
  • Pipe depth, diameter, and material
  • The function and duty of the drain (foul, surface water, combined, or trade effluent)
  • The presence of root ingress, displaced joints, or structural collapse
  • Any pre-existing blockages or debris that must be cleared prior to lining

Where root ingress is present, specialist cutting jets are used to remove root mass and prepare the host pipe before the liner is installed. The survey data is then passed to our design team, who specify the correct liner type, thickness, and installation method for the specific conditions.

How CIPP Drain Relining Works

The cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) process is a well-established, nationally recognised method of pipeline rehabilitation. Here is how the installation works, step by step:

STEP 1 – Design

Based on the CCTV survey data, our design team calculates the precise liner specification required — including material type, wall thickness, and installation method. For pipework carrying aggressive effluent, we specify liners rated for chemical resistance, high pH, low pH, or elevated temperature as required.

STEP 2 – Liner Preparation

A resin-impregnated felt tube (the liner) is prepared to the exact dimensions of the host pipe. The felt tube is thoroughly saturated with a two-part resin system, which will cure in place to form the new pipe wall.

STEP 3 – Installation

The wet liner is installed into the host pipe either by inversion (pushing the liner through using water or air pressure, turning it inside out as it travels) or by pulling it through using a winch. Both methods ensure the resin-saturated felt is pressed firmly against the interior wall of the damaged pipe along its full length.

STEP 4 – Inflation and Curing

A calibration tube is inflated inside the liner to press it firmly against the host pipe and hold it in place during curing. The resin is then cured using heat, hot water, or UV light, depending on the system used. Once fully cured, the calibration tube is removed — leaving a hard, seamless new pipe wall bonded to the inside of the host pipe.

STEP 5 – Reinstatement and Final Inspection

Any lateral connections are reinstated using robotic cutting equipment. A final CCTV inspection is carried out to confirm the installation is complete, watertight, and fully compliant. For localised repairs — such as a single circumferential fracture — shorter epoxy patch liners (typically 0.6–1.0m in length) can be used as a targeted, cost-effective alternative to full-length relining.

Better Performance Than the Original Pipe

A common misconception about drain relining is that the liner reduces the flow capacity of the pipe. Whilst the liner does marginally reduce the internal diameter, the smooth, seamless interior wall of a CIPP liner typically improves the hydraulic characteristics of the drain compared to the aged, rough, or corroded pipe it replaces.

The benefits of the liner’s interior surface include:

Improved flow rates

The smooth bore reduces friction and turbulence, increasing the effective hydraulic capacity of the pipe

No joints or connections

The continuous, jointless liner eliminates the risk of future joint separation — a common cause of infiltration and structural failure in older pipework

Excellent abrasion resistance

The cured resin surface resists wear from suspended solids, grit, and abrasive industrial effluents

Chemical and corrosion resistance

CIPP liners are resistant to a wide range of chemicals, acids, alkalis, and aggressive industrial effluents — making them ideal for commercial and industrial applications

The Benefits of CIPP Drain Relining

No Excavation Required

The no-dig process eliminates the disruption, cost, and reinstatement associated with traditional open-cut repair methods.

Minimal Operational Disruption

Work is carried out with access through existing manholes — your site, car park, or road surface remains largely unaffected.

100-Year Design Life

Our structural CIPP liners are engineered to last, providing a permanent, long-term solution rather than a short-term fix.

Rapid Installation

Most relining projects can be completed significantly faster than conventional excavation and replacement — reducing downtime on your site.

Cost-Effective

The no-dig approach is typically less expensive than open-cut repair, particularly when you account for reinstatement, traffic management, and operational disruption costs.

Nationally Recognised Standards

All Drain Alert relining processes are carried out in accordance with nationally recognised standards and industry best practice.

Bridges Cracks, Gaps, and Holes

The liner bonds to the host pipe and spans defects — sealing leaks, preventing infiltration, and restoring full structural performance.

Suitable for All Pipe Materials

CIPP relining is compatible with clay, concrete, cast iron, pitch fibre, PVC, and other common pipe materials – regardless of age or condition.

Repair Your Drains Without the Dig

If you have damaged, leaking, or structurally compromised drainage on a commercial or industrial site, Drain Alert can provide a fast, cost-effective no-dig repair solution. Contact us today to arrange a CCTV survey and receive a full assessment and design recommendation.

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