When you buy a house, you check the roof, the windows and the wiring. Drains run underground, so they are easy to forget. Yet a CCTV drain survey lets you see inside them before you commit.
What is a CCTV drain survey?
A drain survey sends a small waterproof camera along the pipes. It records the pipe condition as it goes. The engineer can then spot blockages and damage without digging, since the camera does the looking.
Why drains can be missed
Drains sit underground, so a visual check cannot see inside them. Ask your surveyor whether your report covers the drains, because reports differ. If it does not, a separate survey can fill the gap.
Problems a survey can show
Tree root growth
Roots look for moisture, and drains can supply it. They can grow into joints and cracks. In time, they may block the pipe, since roots catch debris as it flows past.
Cracked or collapsed pipes
Pipes can crack or sag as they age. A camera can show a break or a collapse. These faults often need a repair, while an engineer can tell you how serious a small crack is.
Slipped joints
Ground movement can pull pipe joints apart. Waste water can then leak into the soil. As a result, the leak may go unnoticed for a long time.
Wrong connections
Sometimes a pipe joins the wrong system. For example, a rainwater pipe may feed into the foul drain. A survey can flag it, so you can ask the seller about it.
Fat and debris build-up
Heavy build-up can mean repeat blockages. You may want the pipe cleaned before you move in. A survey shows how much is there, yet it cannot say how fast it will return.
What a survey can help you decide
Drain repairs vary a lot, and some need digging. A survey helps you see which type of fix, if any, the drains may need. Then you can ask for quotes before you commit, since you will know what to ask for.
These are the usual options, from lightest to heaviest. The right one depends on what the camera finds, because each fault is different.
- Drain unblocking for a simple blockage
- Pipe relining for a damaged section, without a trench
- Drain excavation when a pipe has collapsed or lost its shape
- A larger replacement when the drain is beyond repair
Using the results
If the survey finds faults, you have several choices. Your solicitor can advise on how to raise them with the seller. However, the best step depends on how serious the fault is.
- Ask the seller to fix the problem before completion
- Ask for the repair cost to be taken into account
- Reconsider the purchase if the faults look serious
- Go ahead, and plan for the repair
Whichever route you choose, ask for any repair quote in writing before work starts. A written quote helps you compare offers, since prices can differ.
What to ask a survey provider
Before you book, check what you will receive, because reports differ. A good provider can explain each point in plain words.
- Camera footage you can keep
- A written report of what the camera found
- A clear explanation of any fault
- A written quote for any repair
Book and read more
The pre-purchase survey page explains what a survey covers. If a fault turns up, see the drain repairs page. While you plan, you can also read 7 warning signs of a blocked drain.
For more on clearing pipes, see drain jetting vs drain rods. Since sewage backing up is urgent, use the drain emergency guide first.
Find your local page
Each town has its own page, since drain services are listed by area. For Plymouth, see CCTV drain surveys in Plymouth. In Kingsbridge, try the Kingsbridge page.
Torpoint has a page for CCTV surveys in Torpoint too. You can still browse the full list of drain services or the areas covered.
Send a request online and say you are buying a property. Add your postcode, because it helps the engineer plan.