Soil Pipe Repair, Stack Cleaning & Maintenance

What Are Soil Stacks and How Does the Soil Stack Pipe Work?

Every toilet, sink and bath in a building is connected via a series of interconnected pipes. Together, they all connect to a series of horizontal pipes known as waste pipes or soil pipes. The horizontal pipe transports used water and waste away from a property by joining with a vertical pipe on the outside of the building, this vertical pipe is known as a soil stack.

The soil stack pipe is the long vertical pipe that spans the full length of a building. Designed as an intelligent system, soil stacks are equipped with a vent. The vent, positioned at the top of the soil stack pipe, allows air to enter the pipe to help the water move whilst also letting gases exit the property to avoid lingering smells. On the bottom end of the soil stack, another soil pipe goes underground to connect to the main sewage system.

There are two ways that a soil stack can be installed, they can either run internally or externally and both have their benefits. Internal stack pipes are more aesthetic as they are hidden within walls, this also protects them from the elements and helps prevent them freezing in cold weather. However, they can be difficult to access in the event of a blockage or repair. External soil stacks on the other hand are much easier to access as they are installed on the outside of buildings, however, they can be seen as an eye sore and are vulnerable to the elements which can cause issues.

Here at Metro Rod, we can work on both internal and external soil stacks to ensure they are free-flowing and working effectively.”

How Do Waste and Soil Stack Pipes Get Blocked?

Unfortunately, there are several ways that waste and soil pipes can get blocked, and that is when you may need soil stack repair. Horizontal waste pipes often get clogged with non-flushable items (wet wipes, nappies, sanitary products etc.), as well as fat, oil and grease from kitchens. The vertical soil stack pipe can also become affected by these blockages and the build-up of uratic salt, which narrows the soil stack pipe and blocks waste from flowing freely through the pipe. The common signs of a problem with your soil stack pipe and a blockage in the soil system include:

• Toilets not emptying at their normal speed or remain blocked for some time
• Sinks, showers or baths that don’t drain water efficiently
• A smell emanating from the drains

Blockages are typically worse at the bottom of a soil stack pipe as this is where the waste can collect and form a blockage. If you have a blockage at the bottom of your soil stack, there are a couple of additional signs to look out for; these include:

• Water bursting from the joints of the soil stack pipe
• Overflowing dirty water at the bottom of the pipe

If you notice any of the above problems, it is important to contact your local Metro Rod engineer to inspect your soil pipe, soil stack and drains to make sure the issue gets solved as quickly and efficiently as possible.

How to Prevent Soil Stack Blockages

Blocked waste pipes or soil stacks can bring businesses to a halt and put whole properties at risk. If you have a blocked stack or a clogged soil stack pipe then it is worth considering that simple blockage can escalate to more significant problems later down the line. However, a routine maintenance plan for soil system and soil stack cleaning can help avoid emergency callouts and costly reactive services by identifying any issues early on and keeping the build-up of uratic salt and other debris at bay in your soil stack.

At Metro Rod, we offer free site assessments and no-obligation quotes to provide you with routine maintenance recommendations from the outset.

Our qualified engineers can advise on the best services for your property, including:

• High-pressure water drain jetting
• CCTV drain surveys
• Drain repairs

How Does Soil Pipe and Soil Stack Repair Work?

If your soil stack and waste pipes have been damaged, Metro Rod is available to assess and repair the issue quickly. Using no-dig drain repairs, also known as pipe lining, we can often repair the problem without the need for excavation and a complete replacement. No-dig drain repair is an easier way to fix damaged pipes and drains without the stress and mess of excavation.

No-dig drain repair is a permanent structural repair where a new layer is added inside your drains to reinforce them. Drain relining protects against existing and future drain damage prolonging your drainage’s life.

Why Choose Metro Rod for Soil Pipe Stack Services?

At Metro Rod, we are experts at delivering professional, reliable and quality drainage services at a time that suits you. Metro Rod will save your business money, save your staff time and save everyone the stress of blocked soil pipes and soil stacks.

We’re always happy to arrange free site assessments and no obligation quotations Find your local Metro Rod soil pipe and soil stack cleaning specialist to arrange a quote.

Alternatively, you can call our emergency helpline on 0800 66 88 00 for your emergency drainage needs.