Clay pipes under driveway replacement

[Oldmrswasherwoman]

We are getting quotes to have our driveway done and I asked the company about replacing the clay sewage/drains under the drive. We have had some leaky gulleys replaced previously, house is 90 years old and it seemed to me to be worth doing it while the driveway was up.
The company quoting said it would be a lot more expensive and they don't normally dig that far down.
Any idea how much extra cost/work it might be and if it would be worth doing?

No, but you could have a CCTV survey of the inside of the pipes done by a drain company to see if they are cracked or broken. It is suprisingly easy.

Driveway companies have no reason to know how to do drains. It is a straightforward job for builders or groundworkers though. If the drains need digging up, have it done before the driveway. Gullies and bends near the house are the ones most likely to be broken.

Also consider having your water supply pipe replaced with a new, larger plastic one, while you have your shovel out. Old pipes are liable to leak, or be made of lead, and a bigger pipe can give much better flow for an unvented cylinder or big combi to give better showers and no hot/cold/hot shocks. There may be a lead replacement subsidy.

Thank you, replacing the old leas pipe is definitely in our list! Will investigate getting the cctv survey.