Want to know how to protect your garden makeover before it turns into an expensive nightmare?
Homeowners spend THOUSANDS each year renovating gardens up and down the UK. UK homeowners spent an average of £3,047 on home and garden improvements in 2025. That’s right, you read that correctly. £3,047.
They invest this money into plants, landscaping and design. Not what is lurking underneath the soil.
That’s the problem:
Poor drainage is one of the leading killers of garden makeovers. Regardless of how aesthetically pleasing the outside may look, if something goes wrong underneath then the whole project could be ruined.
Blocked drains, broken pipes and badly built underground systems can cost homeowners dearly.
Let’s cover:
- Why Drainage Problems Destroy Garden Makeovers
- Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore
- Why Underground Pipe Inspection Is Important
- How to Protect Your Garden Makeover From Drainage Problems
Why Drainage Problems Destroy Garden Makeovers
If your drainage system fails, your garden makeover won’t last.
Okay, maybe that’s a bold statement. But it’s worth paying attention to.
The drainage system in your garden is like the foundation of a house. If that foundation is damaged or weak, then nothing you build on top of it is going to stay there for long.
Your garden’s drainage system does the same job. Underground pipes move water away from your property and help keep your soil healthy. When damaged or blocked, that water has nowhere to go.
Waterlogged soil, flooded gardens and rotting flowers are the result.
Do you know how you can avoid this?
By hiring a professional to investigate damaged drains prior to starting any work on your garden. This allows a drainage expert to examine your pipes using a camera survey and pinpoint where cracks, blockages or damage are located underground.
Without digging up your brand-new garden, this is the best way to gain peace of mind.
You may think cracked pipes and problems with waterlogging aren’t a concern. Think again.
According to the Environment Agency, 6.3 million homes in England are situated in areas at risk of flooding from a river, the sea or surface water. This is 4.6 million properties specifically at risk from surface water.
That’s water that has nowhere to drain through underground.
That number has increased by 43% from the previous assessment.
Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore
These problems don’t occur overnight.
Yes, severe storms and extreme weather can cause havoc for drains that have been working perfectly fine for years. But most damage is uncovered slowly over months and even years.
If you know what to look out for, you can stop water damage destroying your dream garden.
These are the warning signs:
- Water pooling on the surface after heavy rain
- Areas of grass that are greener/boggy than the rest of the garden
- Foul odours coming from drains or garden areas
- Visible cracks in pathways or walls around ground level
- Slow draining sinks/toilets inside your property
While it’s not always obvious, each one of these is an indication that you could have damaged or blocked pipes hiding underground.
Damage will only get worse if left unchecked. Whether that’s tree roots making their way through cracks in search of moisture or worn joints allowing soil to seep in and cause blockages. And remember, this damage won’t be visible from the surface.
Unless you dig up your garden… Which brings us back to underground pipe inspections.
Why Underground Pipe Inspection Is Important
Why should you schedule an underground pipe inspection pre-garden makeover?
Because it takes the guesswork out of the process.
Inspecting drains with a CCTV drain survey involves sending a camera through your underground pipes. The camera will identify cracks, collapses, blockages or root intrusion. It gives homeowners peace of mind and tells them EXACTLY what they need to know about the condition of their drains.
Here’s why it’s important for garden projects.
Any makeover or renovation is going to include groundworks. Digging up soil, laying down patios and paving and installing new water features will put additional strain on the pipes below. If they are already damaged or degraded, the extra pressure could cause them to fail.
Which leads to:
- Flooding on lawns and flower beds
- Subsidence on new patios and pathways
- Costly excavation to fix the problem after completion
- Risk of damage to your property
Don’t let your dream garden turn into a nightmare.
An underground pipe inspection WILL prevent those problems. Compared to the price of renovating a garden, it’s a minor cost to ensure there aren’t any problems lurking underneath.
How to Protect Your Garden Makeover From Drainage Problems
You can protect your garden makeover from drainage related disasters. But it does require a little forward-thinking. Follow these steps and you can’t go wrong.
Conduct An Underground Pipe Inspection
It might sound repetitive at this point. But it’s worth it.
Speak to a professional drainage company about surveying your pipes prior to renovating your garden. Most surveys take a couple of hours and provide a full report including camera footage.
Repair Any Problems
If the survey identifies problem areas, get them fixed PRIOR to renovating your garden. Fixing issues with your drainage system after landscaping work has been completed is always more costly. Repairing/fixing in advance will save you time and money.
Factor Drainage Into The Design
If you’re designing your dream garden from scratch, consider how water will drain through the space. It’s not always something people think about. Think about areas where water may pool or if you need to add additional drains like French drains or soakaways.
Don’t Neglect The Soil
Did you know the soil could be causing you drainage problems?
Heavy clay soil absorbs water slowly. This means when rain falls onto clay soil it can pool on the surface for much longer. Try mixing in some organic matter to improve the drainage in your garden.
Annual Maintenance Checks
Underground drainage systems are just like any other system in your property. They require maintenance to ensure they keep functioning correctly.
Arrange annual underground pipe inspections to stay on top of any drainage problems.
Wrap Up
Making over your garden is exciting. Turning your outdoor space into something you truly love should be enjoyed.
But if you don’t take the time to research what lies beneath the soil, you could end up ruining your hard work.
Getting an underground pipe inspection is the best thing homeowners can do. It’s not something most people think about. But just like you wouldn’t build a house without checking if the foundations are strong, you shouldn’t be renovating gardens without knowing the condition of your underground pipework.
Take away points:
- Always get an underground pipe inspection done
- Take notice if you see pooling water or smell foul odours
- Conduct maintenance and repairs as needed
- Consider water drainage when planning your design
- Keep your drains healthy with yearly inspections