Guide

When do you need a CCTV drain survey?

Short answer: a CCTV drain survey is worth doing when a drain keeps blocking, runs slowly or smells, or before a repair or relining job, because it shows what is actually wrong inside the pipe. For a one-off blockage that clears and stays clear, you often don’t need one.

What a CCTV drain survey is

A colour camera is passed through the drain to record its condition from the inside. It shows defects such as cracks and root ingress, so a repair is based on evidence rather than guesswork. We explain what the camera shows in plain English. Find out more about our CCTV drain survey service.

Signs a survey is worth it

• Blockages that keep coming back. If the same drain blocks again after being cleared, there is usually a reason in the pipe itself.
• Slow drains. Water that drains away slowly from several fittings can point to build-up or a defect further down the run.
• Persistent smells. A smell that doesn’t go away after cleaning can come from a damaged or poorly draining pipe.
• Before relining or a repair. A survey shows where the fault is and whether the pipe is suitable for drain relining, so the repair is planned on evidence.

When you might not need one

Not always for a simple first clear. If a drain blocks once, for example with wipes or fat, and runs normally once it’s cleared, a survey may not be needed. It’s the right tool when a problem keeps coming back or before a repair. If you have a blockage now, start with blocked drains.

What a survey can show

• Cracks and fractures in the pipe wall.
• Root ingress, where tree or shrub roots have entered through joints or cracks.
• Displaced joints, where sections of pipe have moved out of line.
• Build-up of grease, scale or silt that narrows the pipe.
• Collapsed sections that need a different repair altogether.

What affects the cost

Several things affect the price of a survey:

• Access: whether there are manholes, inspection chambers or rodding points we can use.
• The length and condition of the run: a longer or more complex run takes longer to survey.
• Whether the drain needs clearing first: a blocked or heavily silted pipe may need jetting before the camera can see clearly.

We price each job individually once we understand what’s needed.

After the survey

We recommend only the work the survey supports, which may be nothing more than monitoring, and there’s no obligation to use us for it. Depending on what the camera shows, the next step could be:

• high-pressure drain jetting, where the pipe is sound but blocked or scaled;
• drain relining, where the pipe is damaged but suitable for a no-dig repair;
• a targeted drain repair at the fault;
• drain excavation, where a section has failed and needs replacing.

Book a CCTV drain survey

Read more about our CCTV drain surveys, request a quote, or call 020 8166 5937. We’re open Monday to Friday 6am–6pm and Saturday and Sunday 6am–4pm.