October 10, 2025
Catalyst to showcase drain repair best practice at subsidence training day
Insurance claims specialist Catalyst Services UK will be demonstrating drainage pipe lining techniques at...
Catalyst drainage expertise contributes to subsidence training day success
Drainage expertise from Catalyst Services UK has contributed to the Subsidence Forum Training Day that allowed 150 visitors to learn about latest techniques and innovations in tackling subsidence issues.
Catalyst was one of five specialist companies that hosted demonstrations of technologies for diagnosing subsidence, as well as repairing and supporting structures affected by it.
The Subsidence Forum is the industry home for subsidence, providing a vital opportunity for information about the pernicious risk to structures to be shared and debated.
Opportunity to consider subsidence surge
Visitors to its sold-out annual training day included representatives from subsidence specialists, civil and structural engineering firms, insurance providers, loss-adjusters, law firms and public bodies.
They were welcomed to the event, on Wednesday 15th October at Mythe Barn, North Warwickshire, by the forum’s chairman, Paul Duddle, who is also Catalyst’s operations director.
Paul Duddle said: “The training day was a brilliant event. Visitors said they valued the opportunity to learn from the demonstrations and expert exhibitors, and to network with other professionals.
“It presented a timely opportunity to debate issues relating to the subsidence surge we’re currently experiencing, and the length of time it may last, given variables like weather patterns this autumn and winter.
“Climate change is also a related concern because of its predicted impact on the development of subsidence events, for example potentially extending areas most at risk from the process.”
How drainage relates to subsidence
Subsidence occurs when ground conditions cause soil strata below building foundations to drop. This leaves buildings less well supported, resulting in them becoming damaged.
The most common sign of subsidence is cracking in walls, ceilings and floors, though in extreme cases, buildings can partially of fully collapse.
Catalyst was invited to host a demonstration, led by the company’s managing director, Brad Jackson, about drain repair techniques. Key elements of the demonstration included:
- Drain excavation and replacement.
- Patch lining.
- Radial patch lining.
- Cured in place pipe (CIPP) lining with varying curing methods.
Brad Jackson explained: “Defective drainage systems can cause subsidence by allowing water to wash away material around foundations. They can also be damaged by it, exacerbating structural risks.
“So understanding these dynamics and how to counter the risks through timely drainage surveying, repairs and drain rehabilitation, for example with the use of pipe lining, is often crucial.
“We were delighted to support the Subsidence Forum Training Day, assisted by one of our supply chain partners, RSM Lining Supplies. It was a valuable learning experience for everyone who attended the event.”
Other forum members who delivered demonstrations were:
- Leviat partnered with the Underpin and Makegood Group to demonstrate how micro-piling is used to support buildings at risk from, or affected by, subsidence.
- Flawless Soil Testing, which presented on laboratory testing of soils.
- Shire UK gave a demonstration about innovative approaches to working in space-restricted sites.
- Heidelberg Materials shared information about its development of net zero concrete.
Free training places for apprentices
The Subsidence Forum also made available 20 free places for apprentices to attend the training day, up from 10 places allocated last year, with all 20 places were taken.
All forum members were invited to apply for the free places, which were taken by DAC Beachcroft, Aviva, Richard Jackson Building Consultants, The Forshaw Group, and the INS-PIRE Academy.
Paul Duddle said: “The Subsidence Forum made these free spaces available because we’re committed to helping to tackle the skills gap within the building industry.
“We want to support technicians and engineers as they develop their careers, as well as their knowledge and capabilities when responding to subsidence incidents.”
Catalyst delivers a comprehensive range of drainage, water mains, off-mains drainage and subsidence services on behalf of a growing number of insurance providers, brokers, and loss adjusters, and their claims customers.
Find out more
Talk to Catalyst about its subsidence investigation services. Call: 0333 004 8008. Email: [email protected].
Become a member of the Subsidence Forum. Visit: www.subsidenceforum.org.uk. Call: 01420 471623. Email: [email protected].
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