Sadly you won’t probably know if you have pitch fibre drains until you have a problem. And then the fun and games start with your insurance company possibly refusing to cover the cost of repair.
Sadly with the life expectancy of pitch fibre drainage only approximately 40 years we are now finding more are more customers are calling us with drainage problems caused by pitch fibre.
Most people do not know they have pitch fibre drains until something goes wrong. And when a problem does appear, you may then find your insurance company will not cover the cost of repair.
With the life expectancy of pitch fibre drainage being only approximately 40 years, we are now finding more and more customers calling us with drainage problems caused by pitch fibre.
What is pitch fibre?
Pitch fibre was developed in the 1940’s when materials were in short supply and was made from wood cellulose impregnated with coal tar pitch and was a cheaper, more lightweight alternative to traditional vitrified clay drainage. Pitch fibre drainage was used in much of the post-war building period until the 1970s, when plastic drainage took over. As many of these pipes are now beyond their expected lifespan, pitch fibre drains can be prone to deterioration, deformation and blockages.
Does pitchfibre contain asbestos?
Some pitch fibre pipes may contain asbestos-contaminated materials, depending on when and how they were manufactured. If you know or suspect your property has pitch fibre drainage and work is required, it is important to ensure the pipe material is properly assessed before it is cut, disturbed or excavated.
A professional drainage company can advise on the safest approach and any appropriate precautions required.
What are the drawbacks?
Pitch fibre collapses when exposed to external pressure and delaminates internally producing blisters. Prolonged contact with water can also cause the drain to soften, blister and deform.
Hot water and fats, oils and grease regularly entering the drainage system can contribute to this deterioration. As the pipe deforms and the internal diameter becomes narrower, wastewater cannot flow through as freely, increasing the likelihood of blockages.
The photo below shows a section of pitch fibre pipe with a large blister that was causing blockages in the line.
Pitch fibre pipes can also be affected by external pressure, ground movement and tree root ingress. If the pipe is already weakened or damaged, tree roots can enter the drainage line and cause further blockages and deterioration.
If you discover a blocked drain caused by an issue with pitch fibre pipework, our drain unblocking experts will be able to assist.
How do I know if I have pitch fibre drains?
You may not know you have pitch fibre drainage until a problem occurs. However, there are some signs that could indicate an issue with older pipework, including:
• Frequent or unexplained blockages
• Slow-draining sinks, baths or toilets
• Persistent, bad smells from your drains
• Damp patches around the property
• Recurring drainage problems affecting the same area
• A property built between approximately 1940 and the early 1970s
The clearest way to confirm whether you have pitch fibre drains, and assess their condition, is with a CCTV drain survey. This allows an engineer to inspect the inside of the drainage system and identify issues such as blistering, deformation or root ingress.
How are pitch fibre drains repaired?
If you have a problem, we would initially carry out a CCTV drain survey to understand the extent of the damage in detail. Depending on the CCTV results, we would recommend one of the following solutions.
No-dig repair
Ideally, we would undertake a no-dig repair as this is quicker, cheaper and less disruptive. Also known as a CIPP repair, or cured-in-place pipe repair, this option involves specialist re-rounding of the existing pitch fibre line to remove any blisters or deformities.
This is followed by the insertion of a liner, which, when impregnated with epoxy resin, hardens to provide a new, structurally sound line inside the existing pitch fibre pipe.
Excavate and replace
Where the pipe cannot be repaired using the no-dig solution, we can excavate and replace it with new plastic pipework.
Each option has its benefits and, in some cases, a partial excavation is required where there are junctions. These requirements can be fully clarified using the CCTV drain survey.
What should I do if I have pitch fibre drainage?
If you have, or are considering buying, a house built between approximately 1940 and the early 1970s, we suggest having a CCTV drain survey carried out to check whether the drainage is pitch fibre and whether there are any existing problems.
If you have pitch fibre drainage, we also suggest checking your insurance policy regarding cover, as this can vary enormously from company to company.
If you are buying a house, a CCTV survey of the drainage can provide peace of mind about what you are taking on. Repairs can be costly regardless of the type of drainage, and damage caused by root ingress is very common. This is often not covered by insurance, so it is worth checking the state of your drainage beforehand.
If you are not experiencing any problems, you may choose to leave things as they are. However, much of the pitch fibre drainage still in use is now beyond its expected lifespan, so it is worth being aware of the potential for problems to develop.
Help is at hand
Drain Doctor are here to help so if you require further advice or would like to book a CCTV survey to check for pitch fibre drainage, our local engineers can assess the condition of your drains and recommend the most suitable solution.
Whether you are experiencing recurring blockages or slow drainage, or simply want to understand the condition of the drainage before buying a property, we can help identify potential issues before they develop into more costly repairs.
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