What is Pipe Patching?
Pipe patching is a remedy offered in conjunction with our CCTV drainage inspection services. Essentially, it’s a point repair method for damaged drainage or sewer pipes that allows for repair without excavation. The traditional method of repair for a damaged pipe would be excavation and replacement which can be costly and time-consuming. Patching allows for repair of minor issues such as joint leaks, cracks, and root damage without the need for potentially risky digging amongst other buried services and the costly replacement of surfacing materials. The patches take the form of a silicate resin-impregnated glass fibre mat. This is wrapped around an inflatable packer, pushed to the precise location of the defect (identified via our CCTV survey), and bonded to the internal wall of the pipe.
This creates a permanent, structural repair that is often stronger than the original pipe, completed in hours rather than days, with zero surface disruption.
When is a patch repair suitable?
Patch repairs are appropriate wherever the structural integrity of the pipe is largely intact but there is a specific localised defect that is impacting function. The following issues, once identified by a CCTV drainage survey, can be remedied using a patch repair:
- Longitudinal or circumferential cracks.
- Damage from root ingress.
- Roots are removed using our mechanical cutter. The silicate patch creates a permanent, impenetrable barrier impeding regrowth.
- Displaced or leaking joints.
- Ground movement often causes pipe sections to shift slightly, leading to “stepped” joints that catch debris and cause blockages. Provided the displacement isn’t so severe that the packer can’t pass through, a patch smooths the transition and seals the leak.
Patch repair is not appropriate where the pipe has collapsed and there is nothing to form a bond to, or if more than 25% of the run is defective.
Why choose Interlocks for patch repairs?
Eliminate costly downtime – Most repairs are completed within a few hours, allowing your site to remain fully operational with no damage to surfacing material.
RICS-level precision – We eliminate guesswork using high-definition CCTV surveys to pinpoint the exact defect area before deploying the patch.
Structural integrity – Our patches are resistant to chemicals and root ingress, effectively creating a “pipe within a pipe” that exceeds the lifespan of the original material.
Environmental efficiency – By avoiding excavation, we significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the repair and eliminate the need for heavy machinery on-site.
Why choose Interlocks?
Interlocks delivers targeted, no-dig pipe repairs with minimal disruption and maximum reliability. Using precise CCTV diagnostics and proven patching methods, we fix defects quickly without the cost and risk of excavation. The result is a durable, long-lasting repair that keeps your drainage system performing as it should, with less downtime, lower environmental impact, and no compromise on quality.
