fast drains

Blocked Culvert Clearance

A culvert drain is like a tunnel that helps water flow under a road or pathway. It’s usually made from pipes or concrete and placed in the ground. They connect one side of the road to the other, allowing water to go under the road instead of overflowing on top of it.

You can often find culverts under roads, which are usually empty when no water flows through them. They are used to prevent flooding and let water pass through easily. But blocked, they require culvert clearance immediately, and we can help you with the process.

Safeguard Your Infrastructure with Culvert Clearance Experts

Fast Drains prioritise your immediate drainage needs. Our 24/7 call-out blocked culvert clearance ensures we’re there for you whenever emergencies, like floods, strike to minimise damage swiftly.

Equipped with powerful vacuum and water blasting technology, we efficiently clear debris and sludge, ensuring your culvert functions smoothly. At Fast Drains, we pride ourselves on using top-of-the-line equipment, allowing us to handle contracts of any size.

Why Is Regular Culvert Clearance Vital?

  • Ensures the safety of those on the structure above.
  • Eliminates obstructions that can block water flow and cause overtopping.
  • Protects the culvert from erosion, maintaining its structural integrity.
  • Prevents toxic gas build-up from waste, ensuring safety for maintenance workers.
  • Strengthens eroded spots and prevents collapse.

We are ready to assist you 24x7

How Do We Clear Your Culvert Drains?

Inspection

We begin by inspecting the culvert drain to evaluate the scope of the blockage. We use advanced CCTV cameras to get a clear view of the inside, identifying the issue accurately.

Access

If the culvert drain is accessible, we employ various cleaning methods based on the specific situation:

  • High-pressure water jetting: A widely used technique, high-pressure water jets break up debris, effectively flushing it out of the culvert.
  • Root cutting: In case of root intrusions, we remove the roots to clear the path for proper cleaning.
  • Manual cleaning: For smaller or hard-to-reach culverts, our experts skillfully use shovels, rakes, and other tools to manually remove debris.

Disposal of Debris

We understand the importance of responsible waste management. All debris removed from the culvert is disposed of properly, either by burying it in a landfill or recycling it, adhering to environmental regulations.

What Is Included in Culvert Clearance?

Fast Drains offers a complete culvert cleaning and maintenance service to ensure your drainage system operates flawlessly.

  • Culvert Surveys: Thorough inspections using advanced techniques, like CCTV cameras, to identify any issues or blockages within the culvert.
  • Silt Removal: Efficient removal of silt and sediment build-up to enhance water flow and prevent clogging.
  • Lining & Patch Repairs: Expert repairs and reinforcement of the culvert lining and patching any damaged areas to maintain its structural integrity.
  • Leak Sealing: Skillful sealing of leaks and potential weak points to prevent water seepage and further deterioration.
  • Vegetation & Root Cutting: Removal of vegetation and cutting down intrusive roots to prevent blockages and damage.
  • Structural Brickwork Repairs: Expert brickwork or masonry components repairs, ensuring stability and preventing water infiltration.
  • Concrete Repairs: Specialised repairs for concrete culverts, extending their lifespan and preventing further deterioration.
How we Clear your Culvert Drains

How Can Culverts Get Blocked?

Culverts can get blocked due to a number of reasons, including:

  • Debris: This is the most common cause of culvert blockages. Debris can include leaves, branches, rocks, trash, and animals.
  • Soil: Over time, soil can wash into a culvert and block it. This is more likely to happen in culverts that are not properly lined.
  • Ice: In cold climates, ice can build up in culverts and block them. This is especially likely to happen during freezing rain or snowmelt.
  • Roots: Tree roots can grow into culverts and block them. This is more likely to happen in culverts that are located near trees.

Areas We Cover

FAQs

A culvert has two main jobs:

  1. It supports the weight of the structure above it, including people and vehicles that pass over it.
  2. It allows water to flow through it, preventing water from overflowing onto the structure above.

Drain pressure jetting is a method of cleaning drains using a special piece of equipment called a drain pressure jet. This equipment works by rapidly expelling water through a hose under high pressure. The powerful water blasts effectively clear debris that is blocking the drain, ensuring smooth water flow.

Yes, drain pressure jetting is generally more effective than a drain snake. While a drain snake can be useful for breaking a single clog and can be used by individuals, it may not fully clear the drain as thoroughly as pressure jetting. Pressure jetting clears the entire length of the pipe from debris build-up, reducing the chances of future blockages.

Responsibility for unblocking the drainage system depends on the location of the blockage:

  1. If the blockage is in the drains on your premises, you (or your landlord) are responsible for fixing it.
  2. If the blockage is in a private sewer shared by multiple premises, all property owners collectively share the responsibility unless the local water authority has adopted the private sewer.
  3. If the blockage is in public sewers, it is the responsibility of the water authority to handle and resolve the issue.