How Does A CCTV Drain Survey Work?

Your drains are neatly hidden under the ground beneath your feet, which can sometimes mean “out of sight, out of mind”. But they’re critical to hygiene and how well your property runs, so hidden issues might not show up with conventional inspections.

That’s why we wanted to share this article with you to explain what a CCTV drain survey is, including the technology behind it, what to expect and what you might find – as well as common reasons you might commission one in the first place.

At Express Drainage Surveys, we’re leading drain survey experts with the latest technology to provide a thorough report on your system, along with our recommendations for further maintenance and repair work if the inspection highlights any issues. With that said, let’s take a closer look at the process.

What is a CCTV drain survey?

A CCTV drain survey is essentially a non-invasive camera inspection of the underground drainage pipes at your property, be it your home or your business. This is an evidence-based survey, contrasting with the more traditional methods such as probing, dye tests and trial holes. Which means you get real imagery of what’s going on – if anything – in your drains.

The drain survey should pinpoint any faults to avoid guesswork, which can often mean that any repairs and maintenance can be carried out without disruption, such as full excavations where they aren’t necessary. Your drain survey report can also be used as evidence for solicitors if you’re buying the property or to help with your insurance premiums.

How the technology works: tools and equipment

So, when we talk about CCTV drain surveys, what tools and equipment are we likely to apply to your drains? The two main elements of the possible technology that could be involved in your survey include:

CCTV cameras: These need to be waterproof, self-levelling and with some sort of push rod or crawler to help them make their way through the system. Different cameras may be used depending on the size of your drain, with adjustable lighting options available.
Support equipment and accessories: A control unit with a monitor is needed to see the live feed, while recording devices capture the footage and any stills. A range of winches, cables and push rods can be used depending on the complexity of the system.

All of our CCTV drain survey equipment at Express Drain Surveys meets the relevant industry standards, and our experienced team of engineers is fully qualified to calibrate and maintain the technology.

The survey process step-by-step

Preparing for the survey: We begin with a site visit to inspect any manhole covers and access points to plan for the entry and exit of the equipment. If you have any previous drain layout plans, these can be useful.
Camera insertion and inspection: Without delay, our engineers will insert the camera via a manhole or access position, advancing the camera through the pipe while checking the live feed. This will provide continuous recording to playback if required. The operator may pause at any detected defects for closer inspection and to collect stills.
Locating and mapping: As the camera equipment is underground, we can use the technology to track its position from above. This also allows for, if agreed as part of the inspection, for drain mapping to mark the route and depth of your pipes.
Post-inspection checks: Once we withdraw the camera equipment carefully from the drains, we can then check to verify full reach was achieved or log any areas that were unreachable due to full drain collapse. We back up the secure video footage, imagery and data to then discuss any issues that were found.

What findings can a survey reveal?

As mentioned at the beginning of the piece, your drains are hidden, so until you have a CCTV camera survey, you can’t fully know what you’ll find. Here are some of the common findings that a drain survey might bring back and identify in your system:

Blocked or obstructed drains: Including debris, silt, fat and grease buildup, but also shows any intruding roots creating a blockage or foreign objects.
Structural defects: Including cracks, fractures and collapsed pipe sections, but can also show joint displacements and misaligned joints.
Ingress and leakages: Whether from water surrounding the drain getting in, or leaks from within the pipe allowing water out.
Misconnections or illegal connections: Highlights where unexpected branch connections have been created or where there are incorrectly installed laterals.
Other anomalies: Such as vermin and pest activity, scaling and crusting, evidence of ground movement, and corrosion of pipes.

When should you commission a CCTV drain survey?

People often ask, “When do I need a CCTV drain survey?” and while we always recommend having your drains inspected routinely to avoid potential issues further down the line, you may commission one for the following reasons:

For persistent blockages and any headache drainage problems
Where there have been major construction works in the area
Before you purchase or sell a property, if this is demanded
To meet any build-over or planning permission requirements
To support an insurance claim you’re making
For the purposes of preventative maintenance, especially if you’re a landlord
Before the installation of new landscaping features that could affect your drains

Why choose Express Drain Surveys for your CCTV survey?

With decades of experience and expert technicians to take care of your CCTV drain survey, we provide powerful, noninvasive diagnostic tools to help any homeowner or business owner identify hidden drainage issues. We’ll happily talk you through any findings and share the report with you where it’s needed for your records.

We urge you to contact us if you have any drainage issues whatsoever, as we provide a full range of drainage services to put your flow back on track. We use high-quality equipment and can provide a free quote for the following:

Looking to book a CCTV drain survey for your property? Don’t delay, contact our team today and we’ll listen to your queries and concerns before deploying the right team to handle the work professionally and efficiently.