CCTV drains surveys involve inserting a small-scale CCTV camera into your drains system to identify any problems that are hidden from sight above ground. These days small, good quality CCTV cameras are inexpensive and have enabled the price of a CCTV survey to be within the reach of most homeowners. These surveys can be used as part of a preventative maintenance programme or to identify existing issues without needing a hole to be dug. CCTV surveys of drains, pipes, and sewers can also offer an accurate, visual and cost effective means to identify any drains troubles, observe the source of the problem and help to establish the most economic repair options.



Drains degrade over time

Whilst drainage systems are underground and out of sight they should not be ignored. One of most serious drainage issues that can impact all types of home is that posed by leaking drains. Over time drains and sewerage systems can degenerate leading to structural problems through wall cave in or ingress from plant roots / builders shovels. With the passage of time this will lead to a greater problem which will manifest itself on the surface with flooding. The homeowner can visually inspect most drains fairly easily if there are satisfactory inspection chambers, and if they are not blocked off. At this point in time you should to assess the inspection chambers in your property, are they easily accessed or has someone put up a fence panel or small wall across one?

Visual Drain Inspections by the Homeowner

Inspecting your drains merely involves raising manhole covers and running water through the drains from the taps inside your home, you should then see the water running throughout the drainage system. This can be carried out by any able DIY practician with care, take care of your back and feet when opening up a drain cover and see to it that nothing falls in, including toys or your tools. Anyone with very old drains systems should note that drains built many years ago may not have inspection chambers and your only way of seeing inside the drainage system will be via a small camera.

Look in the chamber, if any of the following examples can be seen then there may be a cause for concern: -

- Tree roots growing in the chamber and any of the linking pipes.

- Stagnant water lying in the drainage canal instead of flowing through the system. In particular if you see dark and possibly putrid water then there is almost certainly an obstruction

- Signs of debris in the channel, whilst this may have come from part of the drain up-stream from your location it will indicate the general state of disrepair of the drains

If you have any worries following your drain inspection it may be worthwhile contacting a drainage specialist to conduct a thorough CCTV drain survey to prove the true cause of the problem.

What are the benefits of CCTV Surveys?

A CCTV appraisal can be executed with little fuss and disturbance but they rapidly establish the facts. A CCTV survey requires sending a TV camera into the your sewer and making a video recording of what it sees. A CCTV survey will not check that drainage is watertight or leaky, however it will establish and locate regions of damage or blockage. Critiquing the CCTV survey the drainage engineer will be able to pinpoint the troublesome area without the need for costly exploratory holes in the ground. At this point a repair programme can be set up and whilst a hole may need to be dug it will be at the precise location of the trouble thereby minimising subsequent costs and disturbance.

Many companies are now using drain surveys as part of a regular maintenance plan. In these cases the survey might not show any problems at all. This is not a bad outcome and affords the business proprietor the confidence that they will not be facing a surprise bill in time to come. They can also be satisfied that t they will not be contravening any laws should a blockage lead to flooding of their business premises or contamination of their goods for sale.

CCTV images can also be gathered after a repair has been completed. If your drainage contractor offers this as part of their service you will be able to see the results of their work and have the confidence of a job well done before you make that final payment.

Pre Home Purchase Surveys

Camera CCTV surveys are not exclusively used for fault finding once a problem is encountered; it is now becoming common practice for aspiring homebuyers to arrange a drain survey ahead of completing the purchase to discover any potential and costly issues. Underground drains may be inconspicuous but they should be looked at as part of the overall purchase appraisal particularly if you are purchasing a new property. Drainage systems can be very complex and maintenance work can be costly if it requires excavating areas of land. Recognising the likely high price of drain repairs, CCTV surveys before house purchase can be cost-effective investments and pay for themselves several times over.