Ensuring Pupils Safety Through Broken Drain Removal and New Pipework Installation
Challenge
Our client was experiencing persistent issues with their drainage infrastructure, with crushed pipework, and foreign objects and root ingress in their drains. Our team were engaged to diagnose the problem, and, following recommendations, deliver a permanent solution by carrying out detailed excavation and drain repair across a 3-day period. This was further heightened by the time-sensitive nature of this task, needing to be quoted, approved, scheduled and completed all within the 6-week holiday window.
Overview of Work
Our specialist team attended the site to diagnose the problems as well as quote for the repair. As part of this diagnosis, our engineers completed intensive CCTV drain surveys across the site as well as thorough high-pressure water jetting (HPWJ) of the drains to ensure a clear CCTV drain survey report. This report identified multiple crushed sections of the pipework, as well as root ingress and foreign objects throughout the line, meaning that 8 meters of the drainage network needed to be excavated and replaced to restore flow and prevent the recurrent issues.
Following the CCTV surveys and HPWJ, our expert engineers and excavation team dug down around 2-3m deep and 8m across to expose the damaged pipework in the school field and playground. Once exposed, they began carefully removing it and replacing it with new pipework, connecting it to the existing drainage system to ensure a smooth flow. They then redid the CCTV survey to ensure the new pipework was installed correctly, before reinstating the gravel and topsoil.
Our team ensured that any waste created from this job was removed from the site and was disposed of safely and legally, ensuring the site was left in the same state it was found, only with a functioning drainage system.
Execution: Step-by-Step Highlights
Day 1: Site Preparation
We arrived on-site and jetted the current drainage lines to clear the blockages and standing water so we could better understand the issues. We then performed an in-depth CCTV drain survey of the current drainage lines so we could assess the quality of the system and identify any problems or weaknesses. This survey pinpointed several sections of pipework which needed to be replaced, as well as a section which needed repairing using a localised drain patch.
Day 2: Localised Structural Repair & Excavation
Now that we had established the issues, we began completing the repair work. We cleared and prepared the site, setting up barriers and identifying work zones, before installing a localised drain patch to the area of pipework which was repairable. Once this patch was installed, we then began excavating to the required depth to remove the old, damaged pipework. To ensure this was completed safely, we utilised trench supports due to the unstable nature of the ground we were excavating. After completing this work, we completed a further CCTV survey to check the progress so far and confirmed the successful installation of the patch.
Day 3: Final Pipework Installation & Reinstatement
We finished off installing the rest of the pipework, replacing both foul and surface water lines throughout the school field and playground. We then backfilled in gravel and topsoil to reinstate the ground to how it was prior to the excavation. Lastly, we removed any waste from the site and ensured it was disposed of safely and legally.
Outcome
Thanks to thorough preparation and the right tools, our team resolved the underlying drainage issues by replacing faulty infrastructure with durable, high-performance alternatives. The newly installed and replaced pipes now allow for smooth, uninterrupted flow – eliminating prior drainage issues.
Talk to your local Metro Rod specialist
We are always happy to arrange a free site assessment and no obligation quotations for any work you might need. Alternatively, you can call our emergency hotline number on 0800 66 88 00
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