Drain cleaning
Surveys and diagnostics
Blocked drain right now?
Engineer on call 24/7. Typical Dublin arrival approx 90 minutes.
Full drainage civils capability for excavation, pipe replacement, duct laying and reinstatement across Dublin and surrounding counties. Quoted after a CCTV survey, never over the phone.
At a glance
Civils and groundworks is the side of drainage work that happens below ground: trenching, excavation, replacing collapsed or broken underground pipe, backfilling and reinstating the surface. We also dig trenches and lay ESB and utility ducting as a job in its own right, for new connections, rewires and site services, as well as where a drain trench is already open, and we apply for road opening licences where work affects a public road or footpath. A typical domestic job runs one to two days from dig to reinstatement; larger civils runs three to five days depending on depth and access.
The scope varies considerably from one property to the next. A broken clay pipe on a 1970s Dublin semi-d sits at a very different depth to a collapsed sewer lateral under a commercial car park in Naas. What material the pipe is, how much cover there is above it, whether it passes under a driveway or a public footpath, and whether reinstatement means gravel or tarmac all affect both the method and the price. That is why we never price civils over the phone.
5-year civil works guarantee
All dig-ups and replaced pipework are guaranteed for 5 years. The guarantee is on our own work; manufacturer warranties on materials are passed on.
Safe Pass and CSCS certified
Our engineers hold Safe Pass and CSCS excavator tickets required for machine excavation work.
Road opening licence capability
We apply for road opening licences from the local authority per job, so you don't have to manage that process.
Licensed waste removal
All spoil is removed by a licensed waste carrier; the site is left clean and tidy on completion.
Collapsed pipe found on a CCTV survey
A camera survey that shows a fully collapsed section of underground pipe cannot be jetted clear or relined in most cases. Excavation to replace the affected length is the only lasting fix.
Sewage backing up into the property
When a drain backs up repeatedly despite jetting, the cause is often structural: a bellied, offset or collapsed pipe that traps solids regardless of how clear the line is. A camera survey confirms it; civils fixes it.
Trench needed for ESB or utility ducting
New builds, extensions and rewires often need a trench dug and ducting laid before the groundwork is closed up. We combine that with any drainage work already underway so you're not paying for two separate digs.
Excavation under a driveway or footpath
Pipes that run under a tarmac or block-paved surface need the surface carefully cut, the pipe accessed and replaced, and the surface reinstated properly. We include reinstatement in the quoted price.
Road opening licence required
Work that affects a public road or footpath requires a licence from the local authority. We apply for the licence per job and manage the process for you.
Every civils job starts with a CCTV drain survey so we know exactly where the fault is, what caused it, and what pipe material we are working with before a single sod is lifted. Our engineers hold Safe Pass and CSCS excavator tickets for machine work, and spoil is removed by a licensed waste carrier so the site is left tidy. Where a road opening licence is needed, we apply for it per job and factor the lead time into the programme.
Customers often worry about cost, timeline, and the state of their garden or driveway once we are done. We price every job in writing after the survey, so you know the full figure before work starts, and reinstatement is included in that quote. Before the survey we cannot give you a reliable number. If you have had a CCTV survey elsewhere and already know the fault location, get in touch and we can work from that report.
All civil works carried out by Dylex Drains & Plumbing, including dig-ups and replaced pipework, are guaranteed for 5 years. That guarantee is on our own work, the dig-up and the replaced pipework. On the materials we install we pass on the manufacturer's warranty rather than giving our own.
Where the excavation crosses or affects a public road or footpath, a road opening licence from the local authority is required by law. We apply for that licence per job. The licence application adds lead time before work can start, typically longer than a straightforward private-property dig, so factor that in when planning. We handle the application on your behalf and keep you updated on the timeline.
Homeowners
A broken underground pipe found during a pre-purchase survey or after years of recurring blockages is the most common reason a homeowner calls us for civils. We quote in writing after the survey and guarantee the repair for 5 years.
Commercial property owners and managers
Collapsed drainage under a car park, loading bay or commercial yard needs fast, planned excavation to avoid disruption to operations. We work around access requirements.
Builders and developers
New drainage connections, duct laying and groundworks during construction or renovation need a contractor with Safe Pass, CSCS tickets and the ability to apply for road opening licences.
CCTV survey to locate and confirm the fault
From €250 + VAT where one has not already been done; no price is given without it.
Excavation to the affected pipe
Machine or hand dig depending on access, depth and surface type.
Removal and replacement of the damaged pipe section
ESB or utility ducting laid in the open trench where required
Backfill and compaction
Surface reinstatement
Gravel, tarmac or block paving reinstated to match the existing surface.
Spoil removal by a licensed waste carrier
Road opening licence application
Applied for per job where works affect a public road or footpath.
Pricing
Upfront fixed-price quote. No hourly rates, no surprises on the invoice.
Starting from
From €1,500 + VAT
Camera survey first
We run a CCTV survey to confirm the fault location, pipe material, depth and surrounding conditions before pricing the job.
Written quote agreed
You receive a written quote covering excavation, pipe replacement, reinstatement and spoil removal before any work starts.
Licence applied for if needed
Where works affect a public road or footpath, we apply for the road opening licence and confirm the start date once it is granted.
Excavation and pipe replacement
We open the trench, remove the damaged pipe, lay the replacement section and any ducting required, and backfill and compact the trench.
Reinstatement and sign-off
The surface is reinstated, spoil is removed, and you receive confirmation that the works are complete and guaranteed.
Coverage
We cover Meath, Wicklow, Dublin and Kildare. Fast response times across every area listed here.
You may also need
01
We use waterproof cameras to inspect your drains from the inside, identifying blockages, cracks, root damage and collapsed pipes without any digging. You get a full written report and video footage.
02
We repair damaged drains from the inside using trenchless pipe relining technology, fixing cracks, leaks and root damage without disturbing your garden, driveway or paved surfaces.
03
We repair cracked, collapsed and misaligned drains across Dublin and surrounding counties, and offer planned maintenance programmes to keep problems from coming back.
A small domestic dig-up and pipe repair starts from €1,500 + VAT. Most full excavation and replacement jobs land between €2,000 and €5,000 + VAT depending on depth, access and reinstatement. We never price civils over the phone; every quote follows a CCTV survey so you know exactly what you're paying for before work starts.
Yes, always. The camera tells us the exact fault location, pipe material, depth and what's around it, all of which directly affect the price and method. If you've had a survey done by another company and have the report, send it to us and we can work from that.
A road opening licence is required from the local authority whenever works affect a public road or footpath. We apply for it per job on your behalf. The licence adds lead time before work can start, so factor that in when planning.
A typical domestic dig-up and pipe replacement takes one to two days, including backfill and reinstatement. Larger civils jobs or work requiring a road opening licence run three to five days. We give you a clear timeline in the written quote before work begins.
Yes. All civil works, including dig-ups and replaced pipework, are guaranteed for 5 years. The guarantee is on our own work, the dig-up and the replaced pipework. On materials we install we pass on the manufacturer's warranty rather than giving our own.
Yes. If a trench is already open for a drain repair, it makes sense to lay ESB or utility ducting at the same time rather than opening the ground twice. Let us know at the survey stage and we'll include it in the quote.
All spoil is removed by a licensed waste carrier. It doesn't get left in your garden or skipped on the public footpath. The site is left clean and tidy on completion, and disposal is included in the quoted price.
Sometimes, yes. A no-dig repair using trenchless lining technology can fix certain types of structural damage without excavation. After reviewing the camera footage we'll tell you whether a no-dig method is suitable or whether the damage needs a full dig. See our no-dig repairs page for more detail.
Most CCTV drain survey guides tell you what a camera sees. This one tells you when you actually need one, what a good report looks like, and why Dylex runs surveys 24/7, 365 days a year across Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow.
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Buying a house is likely to be one of the biggest investments you'll ever make. At Dylex Drains & Plumbing, we believe a CCTV drain survey is one of the smartest investments a homebuyer can make before purchasing a property.
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