What your building survey does not cover
A homebuyer report or full building survey is a valuable check of the structure, roof, walls and visible services. The surveyor will usually lift a chamber cover if one is accessible and note whether water appears to be running, but they do not put a camera inside the pipes. Cracks, root growth, misaligned joints and old repairs stay hidden.
A drain survey fills that gap. It does not replace your building survey; it sits alongside it.
Properties where it is most worth doing
Any purchase can benefit, but some homes deserve a closer look. Older properties often still have clay pipes with mortar joints, or pitch fibre from the post-war decades, both of which deteriorate with age. Large trees close to the line of the drain are a common source of root damage.
Extensions and conservatories
Where a later extension has been built over the original drain, it is worth knowing what condition the pipe beneath it is in.
Signs of past trouble
Fresh patches in paving, a recently replaced chamber cover or staining around a gully can hint at earlier blockages.
Long or shared runs
Homes with long gardens or drains that join neighbouring properties have more pipe to go wrong.
Arranging access with the seller
We need to reach the inspection chambers, so the visit is arranged through the estate agent or seller. It helps to ask them to confirm where the chamber covers are and that they are not buried under gravel, decking or plant pots. Running water from taps and toilets is useful during the survey, so the property needs to be connected and accessible inside as well as out.
What gets recorded and how it is explained
The camera travels from each accessible chamber along the runs it can reach, recording the pipe material, its general condition, the position of each defect and the distance from the access point. We talk you through what the footage shows in everyday language, pointing out what is normal wear and what needs attention. A written report can be prepared if you need one to share. More detail on the equipment is on our CCTV drain surveys page.
Using what the survey finds
Most buyers simply want to know whether the drains are sound. If they are, that is one less worry. If faults turn up, the findings give you something concrete to discuss with your solicitor, the seller and anyone you ask to quote for a repair. How you use that information is your decision; the survey just makes sure it is based on what is actually there.
It also helps to know which pipes would be yours to look after once you own the property. Our guide on who is responsible for drains explains the usual split between owners and water companies.
Footage is easiest to understand with the engineer there to explain it, so if you cannot attend, we can go through the recording with you afterwards and answer any questions.
When to book it
Arrange it after your offer is accepted and before you exchange contracts, ideally around the same time as your building survey so the results arrive together. If you want to know what affects the price of the visit, read our guide to CCTV drain survey costs.
Book a pre-purchase survey
Send us the address postcode and your agent's details using the enquiry form, or call 07799 153198 to talk it through with George. For coverage, see areas we cover.
Frequently asked questions
Does my mortgage lender require a drain survey?
Lenders do not normally ask for one. It is something buyers choose to arrange for their own peace of mind.
Do I need to attend the survey?
It is not essential, but many buyers like to. If you cannot be there, we can go through the findings with you afterwards.
What if a chamber cannot be found or opened?
We survey from the access points that are available and make clear which parts of the drain could not be reached.
Can I share the results with the seller?
Yes. The footage and any written report are yours to share with your solicitor, the seller or another contractor.
Is this the same as a survey for a blocked drain?
The equipment is the same, but the aim is different: a buyer's survey records the general condition of the drains rather than chasing one known problem.