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Repairs

What is a bellied drain?

A bellied drain is a section of pipe that has sagged below the correct gradient, creating a dip that holds standing water. Solids settle in the dip instead of being carried away, so the run silts up and blocks repeatedly until the gradient is corrected.

Bellies are caused by loss of support under the pipe — washed-out bedding, ground movement, poor compaction during original installation, or subsidence near trees.

On CCTV a belly shows as standing water that does not drain away between camera passes. It is one of the most commonly missed defects because it is not a crack or a break.

A shallow belly can sometimes be managed with regular jetting; a significant one needs excavation and re-lay to restore the fall, as lining will simply follow the existing shape.

Still not sure? Just ask us.

We're a small, family-run team based in East Grinstead, on call 24/7 across East Grinstead and a 20-mile radius. No obligation — tell us what you're seeing and we'll tell you straight what it is.

0330 1331 347

Related service: Drain Repairs & Patch Lining

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