A local customer was dealing with persistent foul odours and heavy scale buildup in their drainage system. BDS Drainage stepped in to meticulously descale the active pipes without causing downstream blockages, while also replacing the old, leaky manhole with a new airtight cover. The result was a clean, odour-free drainage system and a very happy customer who could finally enjoy their property without the nasty smells.
Introduction
Here at BDS Drainage, we spend our days navigating the intricate network of pipes and drains across London and the South East. Whether it’s a residential property or a commercial site, we frequently encounter older drainage systems that have suffered from years of wear, tear, and heavy mineral buildup. When a local resident contacted us about persistent bad smells around their property, we knew exactly what to look for. Our experience in the area told us that degrading manhole covers combined with scaled-up pipes are a classic recipe for drainage headaches.
The Problem
When our engineers arrived on site, the core issues quickly became apparent. The primary challenge was twofold: descaling a pipe and manhole entry points, and replacing the degraded manhole cover and frame.
The old manhole cover was no longer sealing properly, which was allowing highly unpleasant odours to escape into the surrounding area. Below the surface, the pipes were suffering from severe scale buildup. The tricky part of this specific job was that the pipes were currently in use. When you descale an active pipe, there is a massive risk that bits of broken-off scale will simply fall downstream, creating a much larger and more stubborn blockage further along the network. We needed a strategy that would remove the scale completely without compromising the rest of the drainage system.
The Solution
To tackle the buildup safely, we used a metal chain attached to a rotary machine to efficiently descale the pipe walls. Rather than letting the debris wash away, our engineer carefully used a hammer, chisel, and a manual scooping tool to extract all the awkward bits of scale by hand. This meticulous approach ensured that absolutely no debris travelled downstream to cause future blockages.
Once the pipes were flowing freely, we turned our attention to the source of the bad smells. We broke around the old manhole frame using a hammer drill and carefully removed it. To ensure a perfect, long-lasting seal, we pasted extra-strong, ready-mix cement around the edges and seated the new airtight frame and cover on top. Finally, we filled in the broken sides with more cement and smoothed over the edges for a neat, flush finish. The airtight nature of this new cover was the key to completely stopping the foul odours from escaping.
Result
The transformation was immediate. The pipes were completely clean and running smoothly, and the brand-new manhole was securely in place. Most importantly, the airtight cover instantly solved the bad smell issue that had been plaguing the customer.
Because so much of our work happens underground where the customer can’t see it, our engineer took comprehensive pictures of the descaled pipes and the newly cemented frame to show the final result. The customer was incredibly happy with the transparency, the tidy finish, and the immediate relief from the odours.
Conclusion
This job is a perfect example of why thorough, professional drainage work matters. Simply blasting the pipes might have seemed quicker, but our careful scooping method prevented a secondary blockage, saving the customer time and money down the line. Paired with a properly cemented, airtight manhole cover, the drainage system is now robust, secure, and completely odour-free.
At BDS Drainage, we take pride in doing the job right the first time. We back all our work with a 100-day guarantee and operate 24/7 with no extra weekend charges. If you’re noticing bad smells or suspect your drains are slowing down, don’t wait for a total blockage. Get in touch with our local team today to arrange an inspection or request a free quote.
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