A camera survey shows the inside of your drains. It can pick up cracks, roots and broken joints. Send a request if you are buying in Torpoint or tracing a repeat fault. Since a camera only shows what it can reach, some pipes may need access work first.
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.
Torpoint is in Cornwall, and the Torpoint Ferry links it with Devonport in Plymouth. Cornwall Council is the lead local flood authority for surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses. South West Water, though, manages flooding from 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.
The engineer runs the camera through each pipe run they can reach. They note faults and where they sit. Ask whether you get the video and a written report, since both help when you compare quotes.
Tip for Torpoint: Ask the engineer to mark where the fault sits on the report. That helps you work out who is responsible. 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 Plymouth. 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 drain surveys for home buyers. You can also browse all drainage pages for Torpoint 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.