Pitch fibre drains

Morning all

We're in the process of buying a detached bungalow which (we're told)was built in the early 1980s. On the recommendation of the surveyor, we had a drains survey which identified pitch fibre drains on one side of the property. The run in question is from the bathroom to the main water authority drain and is about 12 m long. The pitch fibre isn't in terrible condition and according to the surveyor (the property is currently empty) the waste and water is currently running freely. However, there are blisters in the pipe and having done some research and spoken to the drains company, I know they're nearing the end of their useful life.

We've had two prices from the company who did the survey. One was for re-rounding and relining the existing pitch fibre, the other for capping off the old drains, excavating and laying new drainage in PVC. The company don't give a guarantee on the first option, 10 years guarantee on the second. Both options are very expensive: the latter being just shy of £6k. I do intend to get further quotes.

My question is this: is it normal for drainage companies not to give guarantees on re-rounding/ relining work, and how likely is it that this option will work? Probably a "how long's a piece of string" sort of question, but I'd welcome any expert observations.

Cheers.

Just replaced mine made out of the Same materials as yours after next door started having problems with it blocking,had a camera put down and didn’t seem to bad but when it was excavated it revealed several issues so we replaced with new, cost was €330 for gear and2 k for labour only took 2 days .
15 meters long

cross thread said:

Just replaced mine made out of the Same materials as yours after next door started having problems with it blocking,had a camera put down and didn’t seem to bad but when it was excavated it revealed several issues so we replaced with new, cost was €330 for gear and2 k for labour only took 2 days .
15 meters long

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Not too far from the price we've been quoted for a similar length of pipework, then.

Probably wise to deal with the issue once and for all and go for complete replacement. Nevertheless, I'll get two more quotes.

Considerably cheaper than the price we were quoted, in actual fact. I somehow managed to read your £330 as “£3300”. Even greater reason to get more quotes.

If they're not willing to put a Guarantee on the Rounding and Relining, then dont bother entertaining them any further, done properly lining should prolong the life of the pipe for many years, (some guarantee 50 years). Its a common practice in the Drainage Industry, and should be bread an butter work to a decent Drainage company.

Second option I would ask why they are proposing to 'cap off' the old drains, the new system should be a direct replacement for the existing, (same route, fall etc), so the Pitch Fibre pipework would be removed during excavation to lay the new drains.

Strongly suggest you seek recommendations for other companies experienced in this type of work in the area and get some other quotes in. Providing the drains are not ridiculously deep and reasonable access for machinery is available, then it shouldn't be difficult to get 12m of pipe in and laid, biggest headache would probably be making the connections either end.

Hugh Jaleak said:

If they're not willing to put a Guarantee on the Rounding and Relining, then dont bother entertaining them any further, done properly lining should prolong the life of the pipe for many years, (some guarantee 50 years). Its a common practice in the Drainage Industry, and should be bread an butter work to a decent Drainage company.

Second option I would ask why they are proposing to 'cap off' the old drains, the new system should be a direct replacement for the existing, (same route, fall etc), so the Pitch Fibre pipework would be removed during excavation to lay the new drains.

Strongly suggest you seek recommendations for other companies experienced in this type of work in the area and get some other quotes in. Providing the drains are not ridiculously deep and reasonable access for machinery is available, then it shouldn't be difficult to get 12m of pipe in and laid, biggest headache would probably be making the connections either end.

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Many thanks, Hugh. Must admit that I was taken aback by the suggestion that I could spend around four grand on re-rounding/ relining with no guarantee that it would work, other than a verbal assurance that "nine times out of ten it'll be OK".

There are at least three alternative drain contractors in this area, so I'll make further enquiries. Presumably if I call another company in they would insist on doing their own drain survey rather than relying on the survey made by the original company.

Does pitch fibre usually contain asbestos? Maybe a part of the cost is towards safe removal if so......

phatboy said:

Does pitch fibre usually contain asbestos? Maybe a part of the cost is towards safe removal if so......

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No idea. I've found references to asbestos being used by some manufacturers to strengthen the pitch fibre material, but that's all.

Hopefully it can be re-rounded and relined, with a guarantee. Then it won't need to be removed.