How Long Does Drain Relining Take? An Honest Look at Timelines and Costs

The Real Timeline for Drain Relining

When you have a damaged drain, you want a permanent fix that doesn't mean weeks of disruptive excavation. Drain relining (or cured-in-place pipe lining) offers that solution. A common question we get is: how long does the whole process actually take? The honest answer is that it's typically a one to two-day job on-site, but the full process from initial assessment to completion has several key stages. We believe in being upfront about timelines, just as we are with our itemised pricing, so you can plan accordingly.

The Stages of a Drain Relining Project

The first and most critical stage is the CCTV drain survey. Our engineers need to see the exact condition, location, and length of the damaged pipe. This survey allows us to give you an accurate diagnosis and a fixed-price quote for the relining work needed. We don't proceed without this step, as it ensures the repair is necessary and correctly specified. This survey usually takes between one to two hours, depending on access and pipe length.

Once you approve our quote, we schedule the relining work. On the day, our team will set up, which includes any necessary access preparation and safety measures. The core process involves inserting a resin-saturated liner into the old pipe and inflating it. It is then cured, usually using hot water or UV light, which hardens it to form a new, jointless pipe within the old one. For a standard residential section, this installation and curing phase often takes a single day. For longer or more complex runs, it may extend into a second day.

What Factors Affect the Relining Time?

Several variables can influence the timeline. The most significant is the length and diameter of the pipe being relined. A 10-metre section under a patio will be quicker than a 30-metre run under a driveway. The location and access to the drain are also major factors. Easy access from a standard manhole is ideal; if we need to excavate to create an access point, this adds time. The type of resin and curing method we use is chosen based on the survey results and can affect curing times. We account for all these variables in our initial survey and quote, so there are no surprise charges for extra time on the day.

The final stage is a post-relining CCTV survey to confirm the new liner is perfectly installed and watertight. We provide this video evidence to you as part of our service. After this, the site is cleared, and the job is complete. The major advantage over traditional digging is that there's no lengthy reinstatement of landscaping or paving—you're left with a fully repaired drain and minimal disturbance.

Our pricing for drain relining is based on the metre of pipe relined and the diameter required. We present this cost clearly after the initial survey, breaking down the cost of the liner, resin, labour, and post-installation survey. There is no hourly rate guesswork. You pay the agreed price for a completed, guaranteed repair, whether it takes our team six hours or ten. This transparent, fixed-price approach is how we ensure fairness and let you know exactly what you're getting, in both time and cost.