Tavistock is a market town with a long history. Older properties can hide older pipework. A camera survey shows what state your pipes are in, so send a request if you plan to buy or repair. Because reports differ, check what yours will include before you book.
A CCTV drain survey puts a small camera inside the pipe. It shows cracks, roots, broken joints and build-up that you cannot see from above. You can then plan repairs with real pictures in front of you. Ask for the recording, because you can then share it with a solicitor or a second engineer.
Tavistock stands on the River Tavy, below the western edge of Dartmoor. The town calls itself a gateway to the mining World Heritage Site. Devon County Council is the lead local flood authority, while South West Water runs the sewers.
A survey helps you see which pipe has the fault. A drain that serves only your home is yours, up to your boundary. A shared pipe may belong to South West Water, which took over many private sewers on 1 October 2011, so ask the engineer to note where each fault sits, because that tells you who pays.
A survey starts at an access point such as a manhole or gully. The engineer feeds a small camera along the pipe while a screen shows the picture. Cracks, roots and displaced joints show up on the recording.
Tip for Tavistock: A survey helps you plan repairs before you commit. Ask for the video as well as the written report. Keep the files safe, because you may need them again later.
Say why you want the survey, such as a purchase or a repeat blockage. Add the age and type of the property if you know them. Since the engineer needs to know the access, mention any manholes you can see.
Since every engineer sets their own terms, ask before work starts. These questions help you compare quotes fairly. Keep the answers, because they are easier to compare in writing.
The price depends on the length of pipe, the access and the type of report. Ask for a written quote that says what the survey includes. Also ask whether you get the video and a written report, because both help.
A survey can show cracks, roots and broken joints that a home survey may only judge from above ground. That helps you plan repair costs before you commit, since a hidden fault can be costly. Ask your solicitor how the findings could affect the sale.
A report usually lists the pipe material, its condition and any faults the camera found. It may include still images and a link to the video. Ask the engineer what format you will get before the survey starts, because formats differ.
The same service is also listed for CCTV drain surveys in Saltash and CCTV drain surveys in Plympton. Each page has its own notes on drains and flooding, while the basic steps stay the same. You can read either one to compare.
For background, read the signs of a blocked drain. You can also browse all drainage pages for Tavistock or the CCTV drain surveys overview, since each one covers a different angle. Whichever page you choose, the request form at the top of this page stays the same.