Drain Lining vs Full Replacement: Which Is Right for You?
If you’ve just been told you’ve got a cracked or damaged drain, your first thought is often: “That means digging everything up, right?” Not always.
At ASL Limited, we’ve been repairing drains across Surrey, Hampshire, Sussex, and Berkshire for over 50 years. One of the best modern methods is drain lining — a way to repair drains from the inside without the disruption of digging. Here’s what homeowners need to know.
1. What are my options if my drain is cracked or damaged?
Old drains made of short clay pipe sections with multiple joints are the most common culprits. Over time, joints open, cracks form, and blockages follow. Water can leak out of the pipe, weakening the surrounding ground and causing bigger problems if ignored.
But here’s the good news: drain lining is often a practical alternative to replacement.
2. What is Drain Lining?
The process is straightforward but skilled:
- We start by jetting and cleaning the pipe internally with high-pressure water.
- If the pipe edges are lifted, we use a powerful grinder on a protected steel cable to smooth them down.
- A resin-impregnated flexible liner is slipped into the pipe and positioned to cover the problem area.
- The liner is inflated with air or water, pressing it against the pipe walls.
- Once cured, it hardens to form a strong new pipe inside the old one — smooth, watertight, and flexible enough not to crack.
The result: a sealed pipe that restores flow and prevents further leaks or blockages.
How does it compare to replacement?
- ✅ Faster: typically 2–3 hours including setup.
- ✅ Cheaper: less costly than excavation, especially where hand digging would be required.
- ✅ Less disruptive: no digging up gardens, driveways, or floors.
Most customers are amazed at how little disruption lining involves.
3. When does lining work best (and when not)?
Lining works best for:
- Open joints in old clay pipes.
- Cracks that haven’t yet caused subsidence.
- Root ingress through joints (roots can be cut out first with specialist machines).
Lining is not suitable when:
- The pipe has collapsed completely.
- There’s significant subsidence.
👉 In rare cases, even with a poor gradient, lining is used when the only alternative would be digging up the floor of a house. In those cases, the pipe may still need jetting every six months, but it avoids massive disruption.
4. Costs & Value £95 a linear meter plus VAT
Lining is almost always cheaper than full replacement.
- Typical lining jobs take 2–3 hours including setup.
- The only “inconvenience” is a resin smell on the day, which soon disappears.
- Full replacement can mean days of work, heavy machinery, or hand digging at high cost.
Real-world example:
One customer with a high water table had constant problems with their treatment plant being overwhelmed in winter. Water was seeping in through open joints in old pipes. By lining those pipes, we stopped the excess water entering the system. The result? Fewer tanker visits, no winter smells, and a treatment plant that could finally do its job properly.
5. ASL’s Advantage
Because we carry out lining so often, our team has decades of experience with the materials, preparation, and process. We take pride in doing the job properly every time.
What makes ASL different is integrity. We’ll never recommend lining if replacement is the only lasting fix. We’ll always explain clearly what we see, provide options, and let you decide.
Our training, pride, and long-term relationships mean customers trust us to do what’s right, not what’s quickest. Many have stayed with ASL for over 20 years because they know our repairs are built to last.
6. Local Service
If you’ve been told your drain needs replacing, don’t panic. Within our 15-mile Guildford service area, we can assess your drain quickly and let you know if lining is an option.
Our office staff connect you straight to someone who understands drains, not just a call handler. With our well-stocked yard, prepared vans, and trained engineers, we can carry out lining with minimal disruption — often the same week.
Don’t assume a cracked drain means weeks of digging and a wrecked driveway. Drain lining could be the solution — faster, cheaper, and far less disruptive.
📞 Call ASL today to book your drain survey and repair.
