Drain inspection (exploratory digging)

Ashworks

Hi all,

We have an issue with our drains, which run to a soakaway. We had a camera inspection but it would only go so far due to a blockage which jetting wouldn't clear (possibly roots).

The contractor needs to come back and dig up a small square of tarmac drive to expose the drain, jet it and insert a camera so they can see what is going on. If it's easily fixable by jetting, they will do that at the same time. 

They have quoted us £900 for this, which apparently is one day's work for two men. They say they have to charge us the full day as they can't book in any other jobs (which seems fair).

If jetting doesn't solve it, we will then need to get them back to line the drain or (worse case) replace it and/or create a new soakaway, at additional cost.

Does a £500 per person day rate seem fair for this job?

Thanks for your help.

Jellynailer

It seems a bit odd that the camera could not identify clearly the nature of the blockage.  Suggest you locate the source of any roots.  The culprit in my case was a self seeded rowan sapling in my neighbour's garden. Also, check if you are covered on insurance.  The 2 men will need equipment + other overheads but 500 per person day seems expensive so recommend you get more quotes.  Last but not least I found the soakaway was shared with neighbours and was over 20 yrs old = life expectancy, so that it could not cope with heavy rain.  I arranged for a 3 metre long aco channel to be installed and the other soakaway owners shared the cost of less than £400.  It traps leaves so has to be cleaned of these periodically but this will extend the working life of the soakaway, 

I hope some of this at least is helpful,

Ashworks

Jellynailer said:

It seems a bit odd that the camera could not identify clearly the nature of the blockage.  Suggest you locate the source of any roots.  The culprit in my case was a self seeded rowan sapling in my neighbour's garden. Also, check if you are covered on insurance.  The 2 men will need equipment + other overheads but 500 per person day seems expensive so recommend you get more quotes.  Last but not least I found the soakaway was shared with neighbours and was over 20 yrs old = life expectancy, so that it could not cope with heavy rain.  I arranged for a 3 metre long aco channel to be installed and the other soakaway owners shared the cost of less than £400.  It traps leaves so has to be cleaned of these periodically but this will extend the working life of the soakaway, 

I hope some of this at least is helpful,

Thank you, that is helpful. The camera couldn't see much as the drain is full of murky water (they showed my husband). Some roots were visible but they aren't sure if that is the only problem. There are several trees/shrubs near the line of the drain and we don't yet know where the soakaway is (but it won't be shared). The house is 1960s so it's quite likely they have just run out of life.

We had an insurance assessor involved, due to cracking in the house. He says it due to the drain not coping, but as we are not on mains drainage and its probably an age issue its not covered by insurance. We will go back once we know the cause though, if it looks like it might be covered.

Jellynailer

Its odd that they did not pump out the water to get a better look.  I found the location of the soakaway in the 1980 building control plans.  Different trees have different root habits.  Another way to identify the culprit is to start with the tallest one and dig a test hole on the side facing your drain.