Fibre Optic Remedial Works & Fault Resolution
Fixing broken, failed and underperforming fibre installations
When Fibre Fails, We Fix It
Fibre optic cables are remarkably reliable, but they are not indestructible. Construction damage, water ingress, rodent activity, failed terminations and poor installation practices can all render a fibre link unusable. When that happens, you need engineers who understand the technology, carry the right equipment, and can diagnose and repair the fault quickly and cleanly. Vertex AV provides fibre remedial works for homes, offices, data centres and ISP networks across London and the Home Counties.
Our remedial service covers every major fibre network type. We repair BT Openreach fibre-to-the-premises installations where the customer-side cabling has been damaged by building work or landscaping. We resolve issues in Hyperoptic and CityFibre building distribution networks where fibres have been broken during tenant fit-outs or maintenance access. We fix Virgin Media cable routes that have been severed by road works or excavation. And we repair private fibre installations in smart homes, commercial buildings and estates where the original installer is no longer available or the installation has failed prematurely.
The diagnostic phase is critical. Many fibre faults are invisible to the naked eye: a microscopic crack in a fibre, a contaminated connector, or a bend radius that is just slightly too tight can all produce signal loss that renders the link unusable. We use an OTDR to send a light pulse down the fibre and analyse the returning trace, which shows us exactly where the problem is located and what type of fault we are dealing with. For copper companion cables, we use a Fluke DSX-8000 to identify opens, shorts and crosstalk. This diagnostic precision means we can target our repair work accurately, avoiding unnecessary disruption and cost.
In period properties around Chelsea, Kensington and Hampstead, we often encounter fibre that has been routed through vulnerable locations: under floorboards that contractors later lift, through wall cavities that builders drill into, or along external walls where window fitters install new frames. We repair these faults using the same sensitive techniques we apply to new installations in historic homes, preserving original plaster, mouldings and floorboards wherever possible. In new build apartments around Canary Wharf and Southwark, we repair the damage caused by subsequent trades who have disturbed the fibre runs installed during first fix.
Every repair we complete is tested end-to-end and certified to the relevant standard. We do not simply restore connectivity and leave: we verify that the repaired link meets or exceeds the original specification, we clean and inspect every connector, we update the cable records to reflect any route changes, and we provide a completion report with OTDR traces and test results. For insurance claims, disputes with previous contractors, or building control sign-off, this documentation provides the evidence you need. And because we carry portable fusion splicers, OTDRs and a comprehensive stock of connectors and enclosures in our vans, most repairs are completed in a single visit.
How We Fix It
Emergency Callout
Rapid deployment with portable fusion splicers, OTDRs and cleaning kits. Most faults assessed on first visit.
Diagnose & Locate
OTDR trace and visual inspection to pinpoint breaks, bends or contamination with one-metre accuracy.
Repair & Test
Fusion splice, re-terminate or replace damaged sections. End-to-end test to confirm full specification is met.
Document & Warranty
Completion report with OTDR traces, photos and warranty certificate delivered within 24 hours for insurance or claims.
What We Repair
Break & Fracture Repair
Fusion splicing of broken or fractured fibres with OTDR verification to restore full link performance.
Water Ingress Recovery
Drainage, drying and re-termination of flooded splice closures and external enclosures.
Provider Network Repairs
Remedial works on BT Openreach, Hyperoptic, CityFibre and Virgin Media customer-side cabling.
Fault Diagnosis
OTDR and TDR diagnostics locating breaks, bends and connector faults with one-metre precision.
Low-Disruption Repairs
Sensitive repair techniques for occupied homes and period properties preserving original finishes.
Completion Documentation
OTDR traces, test reports and warranty certificates provided for insurance and dispute resolution.
"A construction crew severed the fibre feeding our building management system and security cameras. Vertex had an engineer on site within three hours, found the break under the basement floor with an OTDR, and had everything back online by dinner. The report they provided got our insurance claim approved without a single follow-up question."
Areas We Serve
Provider Networks & Private Systems We Support
Remedial Works FAQs
What types of fibre faults do you repair?
We repair virtually every category of fibre fault that occurs in residential and commercial installations. This includes complete breaks caused by construction damage, excavation or rodent activity, partial fractures and micro-bends that increase attenuation beyond acceptable limits, failed or contaminated connector terminations that produce high return loss, water ingress into splice closures and external enclosures, damaged patch cords and adaptors in distribution panels, and bend radius violations in crowded containment. We also resolve issues caused by incorrect splicing, mismatched fibre types and polarity errors in MPO trunk cables.
Do you repair BT Openreach, Hyperoptic and CityFibre networks?
Yes, we carry out remedial works on networks installed by BT Openreach, Hyperoptic, CityFibre, Virgin Media, Gigaclear and numerous smaller altnet providers. We understand the specific handover points, demarcation panels and testing requirements of each provider. For BT Openreach fibre, we work within the constraints of the Openreach network architecture and can repair the customer-side cabling from the optical network terminal onwards. For Hyperoptic and CityFibre, we manage repairs within the building distribution network and coordinate with the provider when the fault lies on their side of the demarcation. We always test end-to-end after repair to confirm the link meets the provider specification.
How do you diagnose fibre faults in an existing installation?
Our diagnostic process starts with a visual inspection of accessible terminations, panels and splice enclosures for obvious damage or contamination. We clean all connectors with fibre cleaning tools and inspect them under a fibre scope to check for scratches, chips or debris. We then connect an OTDR to the fibre under test and analyse the resulting trace, which shows distance, loss and reflectance events along the entire link. This allows us to locate breaks, bends and bad splices with one-metre accuracy even when they are hidden in walls or underground. For copper faults, we use a Fluke DSX-8000 to identify opens, shorts and crosstalk.
Can you repair fibre in occupied properties without major disruption?
Yes, we specialise in low-disruption repairs in occupied homes and busy offices. For hidden cable breaks, we use existing voids and service routes to run replacement fibre where possible, avoiding the need to chase walls or lift large areas of flooring. In period properties where original plaster or mouldings must be preserved, we work with specialist decorators to make good any unavoidable penetrations. For external repairs, we use mole ploughing or micro-trenching to minimise ground disturbance. We schedule works at convenient times, protect floors and furniture, and leave the site clean on completion.
What documentation do you provide after a repair?
Every repair receives a completion report that includes a description of the fault found and the repair method used, an OTDR trace or Fluke test result showing the link performance after repair, photographs of the repair location and any new terminations, an updated cable record if the route was changed, and a warranty certificate for the repair workmanship. For insurance claims or disputes with previous contractors, we provide a detailed technical report explaining the root cause and the remedial action. This documentation gives property owners and managers the evidence they need for records, claims and future maintenance planning.
How quickly can you respond to an emergency fibre fault?
For emergency callouts in central London, we can typically have an engineer on site within four hours. In the Home Counties including Hertfordshire, Surrey and Buckinghamshire, our response time is usually six to eight hours. For less urgent faults, we offer next-day or scheduled appointments at a convenient time. Our vans carry portable fusion splicers, OTDRs, cleaning kits, patch cords and a range of common connectors and enclosures, allowing us to complete most repairs in a single visit without waiting for parts. We prioritise faults that have taken critical systems offline, such as security networks, business internet connections and building management systems.
Do you offer preventive fibre audits and maintenance?
Yes, we provide annual fibre audits for commercial buildings, data centres and large residential estates. The audit includes visual inspection of all accessible terminations and enclosures, OTDR testing of a representative sample of backbone links, cleaning and re-inspection of connectors showing marginal performance, identification of potential issues such as overcrowded panels, unsupported cable runs or environmental hazards, and a written report with prioritised recommendations. Preventive maintenance reduces the likelihood of unexpected failures, extends the life of the installation, and helps building managers plan capital replacement cycles.
Got a Broken or Failed Fibre Link?
We diagnose and repair fibre faults for all major providers and private networks across London and the Home Counties.