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    All you need to know about School Drains

    13th April 2022

    When you think of drains you don’t think about schools, but schools are one of the more complex systems because they are on such a large site and get used more than most. School drainage systems will be forced to deal with a high volume of waste over the years.

    The British standard for schools is 1 toilet/urinal per 20 pupils and 2 sinks per 3 toilets/urinals. It is common for school drainpipes to struggle with such a high volume of water from toilets, sinks, showers, and rainwater, plus pupils can easily dispose of all kinds of waste, sometimes even deliberately causing blockages in the sinks and toilets.

    In many cases, they will start to suffer all kinds of damage, many of which can cause serious structural problems, having routine maintenance and an emergency contact at hand is always a good idea and helps keep the schools up and running without causing unwanted long-term drainage issues.

    How can drainage problems be prevented? 

    Regular maintenance is key, keeping the drainage system maintained and getting ahead of the curve to spot any potential damages or issues before they make themselves known is the best way to avoid a major disaster. Some emergencies can’t be foreseen or prevented but regular maintenance will significantly reduce the risk of problems occurring. Pre-planned maintenance is the ideal tailored solution for schools, they are designed to meet the individual requirements of your schools and the work will be best carried out during half-term and summer holidays.

    What if the problem is buried deep? 

    Sometimes a more in-depth investigation is necessary to get to the root cause of a problem. This is where our CCTV service comes into its own. The CCTV drain survey will identify the problem area and we can quote accordingly. It will give us a full understanding of the condition. You will receive a full written report, a drawing with the layout of the drainage and a quote for any of the works that need to take place.

    How Can Cotsowld Drainage Help?

    For over 15 years, Cotswold Drainage has been on the Wychavon County Council Property Services select list and has attended numerous schools in the Worcestershire area. We provide a range of school drainage services to minimise disruption to teaching staff and pupils throughout the school year and have vast experience and knowledge of the drain systems of many schools. Our experienced and expert team are here to help, whether it’s for blocked drains, or replacement of damaged pipes or drain lining we will deliver first-class reparation and installation work. 

    Cotswold Drainage has more than 25 years of experience, is a Constructionline member and CHAS approved for health and safety. We also have all of the required insurance levels along with every team member being DBS certified so you can rely on us for the servicing, maintenance and installation of your school’s drainage systems.

    Call us on 01386 882324 to find out more.


    Get in touch

    Contact our friendly and professional team via form, phone or email for any drainage issues you may have.

    From blocked drains to septic tank repairs and replacements, we're here to help. We have over 25 years of experience and offer 24/7 emergency callouts.


    Cotswold Drainage Ltd came out on a Saturday and spent a long time trying to clear a stubborn drain blockage. They then returned early the following week and managed to fix what could have turned into a huge, stressful job — especially impressive as two other companies had been unable to resolve it. The 6-month guarantee is a great reassurance, and the team were friendly, accommodating and genuinely made me feel like nothing was too much trouble. They will absolutely be my go-to company from now on. Highly recommended.
    - lin bill
    They provided me with a prompt and efficient service when a drain at the back of my house was blocked. The two people I spoke with on the phone and in person were reassuring and helpful. Would recommend.
    - Chris Sharp
    Reliable, professional and trustworthy. Adrian resolved the issue of a blocked drainage system, identifying the problem and taking the appropriate action to resolve it, leaving the drain free running and all blockages removed.
    - Andy Bassett
    We recently had some work done to our pump chamber which was in need of some significant upgrade. Cotswold Drainage did a great job. Their engineers were professional, knowledgeable and kept us updated on progress. The office staff were great too. Very responsive to sending out the quote and planning the work. Overall workmanship and price was spot on. Will be using them again for the annual service. Well done and thank you.
    - Lak Jaspal
    Attended our emergency in under2 hours on a Sunday, life savers, thankyou
    - Gary Hutton
    We had a very positive experience with Cotswold Drainage. The team were professional, knowledgeable and friendly throughout, and communication was clear from start to finish. Adrian went above and beyond during the site visit; taking the time to explain everything clearly, answering questions thoroughly, and ensuring nothing was overlooked. We recommend Cotswold Drainage to anyone needing reliable, professional support with their sewage treatment plant.
    - Hayley Gathercole
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