CCTV Drain Surveys in London
Choose Drainsmart for CCTV Drain Surveys in London
As CCTV drain surveys are a necessity to see what is going on in the underground pipework, our dedicated surveying teams carry out dozens of investigations each week. With Drainsmart’s CCTV drain survey in London, we include a full written report complete with a summary of our findings and recommendations to return the system to a free-flowing and watertight condition if needed, as well as a detailed computerised drainage layout diagram showing the positions of manholes and gullies, etc. Our plans are well received across a number of professional trades, especially when compared to our competitors' hand-drawn versions which we have found on many occasions do not reflect the actual building or configuration of the system - you can see an example of what you can expect to receive from us here. We will also provide a copy of the video recording if requested.
CCTV Drain Surveys Explained
CCTV drain surveys allow us to look into the drainage system with a small portable camera unit with no disruption to the ground providing there is adequate access, making this the best way to identify problems. This is watched live on site by our experienced engineers and their notes are compiled into a full detailed report by our office team and signed off by a survey manager with a summary explaining the findings and any concerns as shown on our sample page. If there is not sufficient access to the drainage, e.g. a manhole or rodding access point, a small localised excavation or a cut into above ground external pipework may be required to gain entry and we will reinstate the pipework and the surface area upon completion. This will be a last resort as we have TrapJumper cameras which have been designed to bypass gully and WC rest bends however there is the odd occasion it is not successful as it is dependent on the angle of the bends. "Very professional and a quick turnaround time on the report. Thanks guys." Andrew Street, as seen on Google Reviews CCTV Drain Survey in London Customer
Why is a CCTV Drain Survey Required?
When was the last time you thought about your drainage system? Maybe never up until now. The good news is that this is not uncommon. Many customers call Drainsmart because they suspect something is happening with their drains, maybe an odour appearing, slow draining water, damp walls or cracks in the building or rat activity all of which require investigating to decide the best course of remedial action. They are also necessary to obtain information for extensions and Build Over Agreements, regular monitoring for insurance purposes following a claim especially relating to subsidence, or ascertaining the condition of the system for a Home Buyers survey (see below). We also are called out to advise on how to protect the private drainage system from vermin infestation and sealing any points they may be using to escape from. Unfortunately, there is no way of ascertaining the extent of any issues underground without a prior CCTV drain survey in London and as each drainage system and the level of damage discovered is completely different, we are unable to give an estimated cost of any necessary repairs until we have the information this will obtain. "Quick and efficient service by Drainsmart. Would recommend." Jonathan Stevens, as seen on Google Reviews CCTV Drain Survey in London Customer
What can you expect from a CCTV Drain Survey Service from Drainsmart?
The video footage captured during our CCTV camera inspections can be saved onto a DVD or USB hard drive and/or sent electronically after it has been analysed upon closer inspection. A report will then be issued demonstrating a schedule of remedial works should any defects be discovered together with a computerised drawing showing the drainage layout.
Our charge for a CCTV camera inspection of all of the accessible underground drainage at a domestic property is £245.00 plus VAT which allows for 3 manholes, or £275.00 plus VAT for our Architect Package which includes superimposing the drainage layout onto supplied General Arrangement (GA) plans.
Most standard size properties have 1 or 2 manholes and we allow time to inspect a 3rd however any extra chambers found will be charged at an additional £60.00 plus VAT per manhole.
We are also able to inspect larger sites such as blocks of flats and housing estates, schools, churches and commercial premises which are usually based on a day rate – please feel free to contact us for more information.
Home Buyers Drain Survey in London
If you are considering or currently in the process of buying a new home, you should always consider a Home Buyers drain survey. These surveys will inspect the drainage system and make sure there are no current or potential issues with the pipework. If you disregard a Home Buyers survey and there are pre-existing issues, you may find it hard to negotiate with an insurer or the previous homeowner, meaning you may be liable for the damages to your property. A Home Buyer drain survey can locate and identify drainage issues from small blockages to extensive problems.
"I chose Drain Smart based on being registered with the National Association of Drainage Contractors and online reviews, and I feel I made the right decision. The team were really polite, helpful, honest and went the extra mile to help me resolve my problem. They showed me what they were doing, what they had found (thankfully nothing) and ways forward (useful practical day-to-day advice about my drains). They were so thorough on the day that I was able to plan my next steps there and then. The final CCTV report came super quick and is really helpful. Overall, I was very pleased by the service on offer."
Helen S, as seen on Google Reviews
CCTV Drain Survey in London Customer
Book Your CCTV Drain Surveys Today
We can schedule your appointments over the phone or by email and are happy to liaise with any agents to arrange access if needed. As we have many crews on the road and with a CCTV camera inspection of a standard size domestic property taking around an hour to complete, we can usually attend within 24-48 hours to carry out the investigation.
A CCTV drain survey is an inspection of your drainage system using specialist camera equipment. It allows us to assess the condition of underground pipes, identify blockages, fractures, displaced joints, root ingress and potential rodent entry points without excavation. It also helps us determine the ownership of the pipework and whether any sections fall under the responsibility of the Local Water Authority. CCTV surveys are commonly required for property purchases, extensions, insurance claims and recurring drainage issues.
Most CCTV drain surveys take around an hour, depending on the size of the property and complexity of the drainage system. Larger properties or commercial sites may take longer. A full written report and footage are provided after the survey.
Yes. You will receive a full written report, drainage plans and recorded footage (if requested). Reports are suitable for architects, builders, surveyors, insurers and local authorities.
Every CCTV drain survey includes a written report, a summary of findings, and a computerised drainage layout plan showing the route of pipes and locations of issues. Reports are suitable for surveyors, insurers and building professionals as well as homeowners.
Yes. After the inspection, you can request a copy of the CCTV footage electronically or on USB. Recordings are kept for a minimum of six months, and we will provide the files in a format that you can review or share with surveyors, architects or insurers.
If there are no manholes or other access points such as a rodding access to allow entry of the camera unit, we will need to breach the system which is usually by cutting into external sections of above ground pipework and/or excavating the gullies. This will allow us to insert the camera into the pipework but is likely to only give limited access to the one drain we have breached and not the rest of the drainage system.
Every CCTV drain survey includes a written report, a summary of findings, and a computerised drainage layout plan showing the route of pipes and locations of issues. Reports are suitable for surveyors, insurers and building professionals as well as homeowners.
Yes. One of the most common causes of rat ingress is damaged or displaced drainage. CCTV surveys allow us to locate gaps, fractures and open joints that rodents use to access properties, helping to prevent repeat infestations once repairs are completed.
If damage is not addressed, the condition of the drain will only deteriorate over time. Some defects can be in the drainage system for years before they are even identified however they can reach a point where they cause damp or even structural movement and if the damage becomes so severe, the only option to resolve the issue may be replacement of sections of underground pipework and in extreme cases, underpinning of the building may be necessary.
While not always mandatory, a CCTV drain survey is strongly recommended, particularly for older properties. Many drainage defects are underground and not visible during standard building surveys. Identifying issues early can help avoid unexpected repair costs after purchase.
Yes, in many cases. A CCTV drain survey is often required to confirm the location, condition and capacity of existing drainage before building works begin. It helps ensure compliance with building regulations and avoids damaging existing drains during construction. They also assist with determining the ownership of the pipework which will help decide if a Build Over Agreement is required.
About Our Reports
Yes. You will receive a full written report, drainage plans and recorded footage (if requested). Reports are suitable for architects, builders, surveyors, insurers and local authorities.
Every CCTV drain survey includes a written report, a summary of findings, and a computerised drainage layout plan showing the route of pipes and locations of issues. Reports are suitable for surveyors, insurers and building professionals as well as homeowners.
Our typical aim is to return the report and drawing within 3-5 working days following our site visit. Our Homebuyer CCTV camera inspection Package and Rodent CCTV camera inspection Package guarantees the report being released within 2 workings days but we also offer a Priority Expedited Service to guarantee the report the next working day for an additional £45.00 plus VAT.
Yes. After the inspection, you can request a copy of the CCTV footage electronically or on USB. Recordings are kept for a minimum of six months, and we will provide the files in a format that you can review or share with surveyors, architects or insurers.
Our drawings are not to scale and are for indicative purposes only however we can superimpose the drainage layout onto supplied architect GA plans for more accurate reading. Dependent on the access available, it is not always possible to determine the route or configuration of the drainage system and an assumption may be made based on our findings but this can be confirmed with electronic sonde tracing.
Our CCTV survey does not include levels back to a datum but we will provide you wish the invert depth of each chamber in millimetres which you could add to your levelling survey. We can carry out electronic sonde tracing for an additional charge to give an indication of the position and depth of two particular areas if the access and configuration allows. Please note that we cannot guarantee its accuracy as external factors can interfere with the signal giving a false reading however we have found this latest technology reasonably reliable.
About CCTV Drain Surveys
A CCTV camera inspection of the underground drainage system at a property we visited revealed this earthenware pipe is severely fractured and it will be allowing the loss of water into the surrounding ground. As you can see in the video recording from the drainage survey, the fractures are over a long length of the drain and the extent of the water loss could contribute to damp or structural movement. Although the damage is severe and needs to be addressed, this drain could be repaired by structural soft felt lining if there is adequate access to work from. If the access to the drainage system is insufficient, at least one excavation would be necessary to gain access to the underground pipework and we would be able to install structural soft felt liners from this point. Structural soft felt lining would be the better choice over structural patch lining as one sleeve would be able to repair the length of the drain instead of a high number of patches in precut lengths and is therefore more cost-efficient. The client of this particular project did ask if it would be more beneficial to replace the whole length of pipework however as this drain runs under the house, the works would be very disruptive and the costs significantly higher. As structural soft felt liners and structural patch liners have a life expectancy exceeding 50 years, we would always recommend the installation of these over the replacement of drains wherever possible. You will also see that there is a loose piece of broken pipework being pushed along the drain. This will be restricting the free flow of waste and could cause an overflowing blockage. We recommend removing this using a Picote Mechanical Grabber followed by high-pressure water jetting to flush through the remaining debris deposits.
Read our latest articles about CCTV Drain Surveys in London
What to expect when having a CCTV Drain Survey in London
You can book a time for our team to visit your property by getting in touch, either via telephone, email or the contact page.
Our engineers will arrive on time at your property and will inspect your drains using our CCTV camera equipment, using access points such as manholes.
Our engineers will examine the footage, looking for any issues such as blockages, infestations, or fractures in the pipework.
We will make recommendations based on what we find - which you can choose to proceed with if you wish.
We will present you with a report of the findings and computerised drawing showing the layout of the accessible system.
Reviews from Drainsmart Customers
Below are some of the drain repairs reviews we have had from Drainsmart customers.
"This was an urgent short notice request to complete and report on a CCTV drain survey in connection with a property purchase in Wimbledon following on from a Building Surveyor's recommendation. Drainsmart could not have been more understanding and helpful throughout. They fitted the survey at short notice, completed it with minimal disruption for the current property owner and sent me a high quality (and - important for a lay person - readily digestible) report on the same day which enabled us to exchange contracts the following week. We will now do the work recommended."
Jan G.
CCTV Drain Survey in London Customer
"Drainsmart had perfect customer service. They were efficient, polite and when things didn’t quite go to plan (an equipment failure totally out of their control) they dealt with it in the perfect way.
They got in touch, rebooked at my convenience and expedited the report free of charge. I love companies with customer service like this.
I will always recommend you Drainsmart for my experience! Thanks!!"
Stephen, Drainsmart London Drainage Company Customer
"Having major renovation done SW14 , so was advised to get drain survey done by our architect.
These guys came highly recommended and arrived promptly and were very polite and efficient.
Drain survey turned up interesting things a crack pipe and neighbours surface water running down our side . Well worth getting it done early into project as helps to prepare for future work.
Would recommend this company to anyone.
Peter Byrne
CCTV Drain Survey in SW14 London