One of the ongoing challenges in commercial and industrial drain repair is dealing with damaged pipework in locations where excavation is either impractical or prohibitively disruptive. Narrow access routes, constrained urban environments, and the proximity of structures or services can all make traditional open-cut repair methods unworkable.
A recent project gave Drain Alert the opportunity to add a further no-dig solution to our range — the Top Hat repair technique, carried out in partnership with E R Technical Services.
The Challenge
The project involved a damaged 100mm private drain connection into a 225mm public sewer, located in a narrow cobbled rear access road. An excavation to the required depth of two metres in this location was considered impractical — the access road simply could not accommodate the equipment, and the disruption to surrounding properties would have been significant.
The Solution
Following consultation between Drain Alert and Graham Evans of E R Technical Services, the agreed solution was a Top Hat repair — a no-dig technique in which a specially shaped structural liner is installed at the junction between the private connection and the main sewer. The liner reinforces the defective connection point, creates a smooth, watertight transition between the two pipes, and restores the structural integrity of the joint without the need for excavation.
Drain Alert attended site and assisted with the installation, which was completed successfully in a matter of hours — with no surface disturbance and no disruption to the surrounding area.
The Outcome
The repair was completed to an excellent standard, and the Top Hat technique has since been added to Drain Alert’s range of no-dig repair solutions. It is particularly well-suited to localised junction defects on commercial and industrial sites where access is constrained or excavation is not a viable option.
