When a CCTV survey makes sense
We recommend a survey whenever a drain keeps blocking, when there is a persistent smell with no obvious cause, when you notice damp, subsidence or sinking paving near a drain run, or when rats are getting into the property. A survey is also worth having before buying a house, particularly an older property with original clay drains.
Builders and extension projects often need one too, to confirm the route and depth of an existing drain before foundations go in or to agree a build-over with the water company.
What the camera shows
The camera travels along the pipe and records live footage. We look for the common faults that cause most drainage problems.
Cracks and fractures
Ageing clay and pitch fibre pipes crack over time, letting water out and soil and roots in.
Root ingress
Roots from nearby trees and hedges find their way into joints and grow into dense masses that catch waste.
Displaced and open joints
Ground movement can push pipe sections out of line, creating a lip that snags debris.
Collapses and deformation
Where a section of pipe has partly or fully collapsed, excavation or relining is usually needed.
Clear reporting you can use
After the survey we explain what we found in plain English and show you the footage. Where a written report is required, for example for an insurer, a buyer or a building project, we can provide one with the location of each defect and our recommended next step.
Because remedial work is a big part of what we do, the survey is not a sales pitch. If the drain is sound, we will tell you, and if it needs work we will explain the options, from a localised patch repair to a full relining or replacement.
Pre-purchase drain surveys
A standard home survey does not look inside the drains. Hidden defects can turn into a costly repair shortly after moving in, and in some cases the cost of the work can be used in price negotiations. A pre-purchase CCTV survey gives you that information before you commit.
Surveys for extensions and building work
If you are planning an extension, a garage or a new patio, it pays to know exactly where the drains are before the design is fixed. A camera with a locating sonde lets us trace the line of a drain from the surface and mark its depth, so your architect or builder can plan foundations around it rather than finding it halfway through the dig.
Where building over or close to a public sewer is unavoidable, the water company will usually want to know the pipe's condition first, and recorded footage is the clearest way to show it. A survey after the build can also confirm that nothing was damaged during the work.
Buying rather than building? Our pre-purchase drain survey page explains how a survey fits into a house purchase. For a breakdown of what shapes the price, see CCTV drain survey costs, and if a smell sent you here, start with why drains smell.
Surveys are also useful once a building project is under way. If a pipe is uncovered unexpectedly during groundwork, a quick camera inspection shows where it goes, whether it is still live and what condition it is in, so the builder can decide whether to protect it, divert it or replace it.
Book a drain survey
Call 07799 153198 or send the form with your postcode and the reason for the survey. Let us know if you need a written report so we can plan the visit around it.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to dig to carry out a survey?
No. The camera goes in through an existing inspection chamber, gully or access point.
Can you survey a drain that is blocked?
We normally clear the blockage first so the camera can travel the full length and see the pipe clearly.
Will I get the footage?
Yes, we can share the recorded footage and, where needed, a written report.
Can you mark the line of a drain on the ground?
Yes. A sonde on the camera head can be traced from above, so the route and approximate depth can be marked on the surface.
Do I need a survey before building an extension?
It is strongly advisable if a drain runs near the planned footprint. Knowing its route and condition early avoids changes once building has started.
How long does a typical household survey take?
It depends on how many runs and access points there are. Most homes can be surveyed in a single visit.