Local drainage team

Drain Excavation in Poole

For badly damaged pipes, we offer full digging and pipe replacement.

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Drain Excavation across Poole

Drain excavation is the last resort for drainage too damaged to reline. We use it when a pipe has fully collapsed, lost its shape, or suffered serious damage. Our teams dig with a mini-digger or by hand, depending on the ground and how close we are to a building. We plan the dig from camera footage first, since this means we disturb as little as possible, then lay new pipe to the right fall and restore the surface to match.

Before you send a request, our guide Why Every Home Buyer Needs a CCTV Drain Survey explains what to look for and what your options are. It also covers the questions we usually ask when you get in touch.

Signs you need drain excavation help

✓ A CCTV survey has confirmed a complete pipe collapse or loss of pipe shape that cannot be relined
✓ There is visible subsidence or a sinkhole forming above a drainage route in your garden or driveway
✓ Sewage is leaking into the surrounding ground, causing contamination or persistent damp
✓ Previous relining or patch repairs have failed because the underlying pipe structure is too degraded
✓ You need to replace a section of pipe to accommodate a new connection for an extension or development

Our process

1.
Survey and Plan
We review the camera footage to plan the dig precisely — marking out the area, confirming pipe depth, and checking for nearby utilities or obstacles. Since this footage shapes the whole plan, you get a clear scope of work before we start.
2.
Excavation
We dig down to the damaged pipe with the right kit for the spot — a mini-digger for open areas, while hand-digging suits tight spaces or areas near buildings. We fit shoring as needed for safety.
3.
Pipe Replacement
We remove the damaged section and fit new pipe laid to the correct fall. We connect it to the existing pipe upstream and downstream with the right fittings and sealed joints.
4.
Backfill and Reinstatement
We backfill the trench in packed layers to stop future settlement. We then restore the surface to match its surroundings — turf, paving, concrete, or tarmac — for a neat, tidy finish.

Pricing guide

Drain excavation costs vary with depth, length, ground type, and how much surface repair it needs. We give a detailed quote after a camera check, so you know what to expect, and surface repair is always included.

Drain Excavation — frequently asked questions

How long does drain excavation take?

A short section at a moderate depth is typically done in one day. Longer runs, deeper pipes, or tricky ground may take two to three days instead. We always give a realistic timeframe before we start.

Will excavation damage my garden or driveway?

Excavation does mean digging a trench to reach the pipe, although we keep it as small as we can using precise camera data. We restore the surface once the new pipe is in.

Is excavation the only option for a collapsed drain?

If the pipe has fully collapsed and lost its shape, excavation is usually the only reliable fix. We can sometimes reline a partly collapsed pipe instead, though this depends on how bad the damage is. A camera check tells us which method suits your case.

Related services

Drain repair services Pipe relining CCTV drain surveys

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