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New Drainage Installations: What You Need to Know

New underground drainage system being installed in Portsmouth using uPVC and twinwall pipes. Text overlay reads ‘New Drainage Installation – Portsmouth Drains24

Table of Contents

While many issues can be resolved with patch repairs or drain relining, some situations demand a complete new drainage installation. At Portsmouth Drains24, our team of drain experts helps homeowners, landlords, and businesses assess their options clearly.

Whether you’re dealing with repeated blockages, structural failure, or planning a new extension, this guide will explain:

  • When new drainage is necessary
  • Alternatives and why they may fall short
  • Different types of drain systems and materials
  • Pros and cons of each
  • Why a drain survey in Portsmouth should always be the starting point

🚨 When Repairs Aren’t Enough

There are several scenarios where drain repairs just aren’t a reliable long-term solution. Let’s look at common reasons new drain installations are the best — or only — option:

1. 🌊 Collapsed or Severely Deformed Pipework

If a pipe has completely collapsed, been crushed, or deformed beyond recognition, no amount of relining or patching will restore proper flow.

Symptoms:

  • Repeated blockages in the same area
  • Evidence of broken or misshapen pipes on a CCTV drain survey
  • Unstable ground or subsidence around the drain

Repair Alternative:
Patch lining may work for small cracks or isolated sections. But if the pipe is sagging or completely broken, a new installation is the only option.

2. 🏚️ Outdated Materials (Pitch Fibre, Asbestos Cement, Clay)

Older Portsmouth properties often have pitch fibre or clay pipes which degrade over time. Pitch fibre pipes in particular can delaminate, blister, and collapse internally.

Symptoms:

  • Frequent blockages
  • Pipe collapse detected during a drain survey in Portsmouth
  • Visible cracks or leaks

Repair Alternative:
Relining is possible but often fails due to the pipe’s unstable structure. In these cases, digging out and replacing with new plastic (uPVC) or twinwall pipes ensures long-term reliability.

3. 🏗️ Property Extensions or Conversions

Building an extension, converting a garage, or adding a garden office? Your new structure may require additional drainage to connect foul water, surface water, or soakaway systems.

New installations may include:

  • New soil pipes and foul connections
  • Additional manholes or inspection chambers
  • New pipe runs around the building
  • Gully installations for driveways or patios

Repair Alternative:
Not applicable — if you’re expanding, you’ll need new connections anyway, designed to comply with Building Regulations Part H.

4. 🐀 Rodent Infestation from Shared or Broken Pipework

Repeated rodent access, especially via shared or broken clay pipes, often means the best solution is to install a new private drainage line to bypass compromised areas.

Repair Alternative:
Rat blockers can help — but if the upstream or shared drainage is severely compromised, new drainage is often safer and cleaner.

5. 🏘️ Poor Historical Drainage Layout

In some properties, especially those with multiple retrofitted drain repairs or historic modifications, the entire layout may be inefficient, uncompliant, or dangerous.

Issues may include:

  • Incorrect pipe gradients
  • Cross connections (e.g., foul water into a surface water system)
  • Shared drainage confusion
  • Reversed flows

Repair Alternative:
Trying to fix a flawed system piece-by-piece often leads to recurring problems. In these cases, our drain experts recommend a complete drainage reconfiguration with updated pipework.

📷 Why Start With a Drain Survey?

Before any excavation or major work, a CCTV drain survey in Portsmouth helps us:

  • Pinpoint faults and assess condition
  • Confirm pipe materials and sizes
  • Determine flow direction and gradient
  • Check for shared drainage or public/private boundaries
  • Provide evidence for insurers or building control

It’s the most reliable way to make an informed choice between drain repairs and new installations.

⚙️ Common Drainage System Types (with Pros & Cons)

When installing new drainage, we select the best materials for your environment, usage, and budget.

✅ uPVC (Unplasticised Polyvinyl Chloride)

Used For:
Most modern domestic foul and surface water drains.

Pros:

  • Lightweight and easy to install
  • Non-corrosive and durable
  • Compatible with inspection chambers
  • Cost-effective

Cons:

  • Can deform under extreme heat
  • May require gravel bedding for protection

✅ Twinwall HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)

Used For:
Surface water drainage, soakaways, road gullies, and driveways.

Pros:

  • Ribbed outer wall for strength
  • Smooth internal wall for fast flow
  • Strong load resistance — suitable for driveways and vehicle areas

Cons:

  • More expensive than uPVC
  • Not suitable for foul water unless specified

✅ Clay Pipes

Used For:
Older systems or when specified in conservation areas.

Pros:

  • Strong, long-lasting when installed correctly
  • Resistant to chemical attack

Cons:

  • Heavy and fragile during handling
  • Labour-intensive installation
  • Prone to cracking and root ingress

✅ Pitch Fibre (Outdated – For Removal Only)

Used Historically For:
Domestic drains (1950s–1970s)

Issues:

  • Deforms under pressure
  • Delaminates internally
  • Highly prone to collapse

Action:
Replace with modern materials as soon as possible.

🏁 Conclusion: When New Drainage Is Worth It

If you’re dealing with collapsed pipework, planning a property extension, or constantly patching an old system, new drainage installation is a smart long-term investment.

📌 Better flow
📌 Modern, regulation-compliant materials
📌 Lower maintenance costs
📌 Peace of mind

📞 Talk to Portsmouth’s Trusted Drain Experts

At Portsmouth Drains24, we offer:

✔️ CCTV Drain Surveys with full reports
✔️ Honest advice on repairs vs. full replacements
✔️ Fully compliant drainage installations
✔️ No call-out fees
✔️ Experienced, local drain experts

📞 Call us today to book your drain survey or request a quote
🧰 Portsmouth’s trusted name for drain repairs and new installations

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