You cannot see what is happening inside your underground drainage system, which can make diagnosing a drainage problem surprisingly difficult. A drain may look perfectly normal from the outside while there could be cracks, root intrusion, scale build-up or even a collapsed section hidden underneath your property.
This is where a CCTV drain survey can help.
A CCTV drainage survey uses a specialist camera to travel through accessible sections of your drainage system, allowing a trained drainage engineer to inspect the internal condition of the pipework. CCTV drainage inspections are widely used to investigate drainage defects and assess the condition and connectivity of underground pipework.
At Kingfisher Drainage & Jetting, CCTV drain surveys form an important part of diagnosing recurring drainage problems and providing customers with a clearer understanding of what is happening underground.
How Does a CCTV Drain Survey Work?
A specialist drainage camera is inserted into an accessible drain, inspection chamber or manhole. The camera is then guided through the pipework while the engineer monitors the footage.
Depending on the system and the equipment being used, the survey can help identify the route and condition of the drainage pipe.
The engineer may be looking for issues including:
- Cracked or damaged pipes
- Collapsed drainage
- Tree root intrusion
- Scale and mineral build-up
- Debris and obstructions
- Poorly connected pipework
- Displaced joints
- Structural defects
- Recurring blockage points
Professional drainage surveys can also provide useful information about the layout and condition of underground drainage assets. For larger or more complex systems, specialist camera equipment may be required.
Why Would You Need a CCTV Drain Survey?
A CCTV drain inspection is particularly useful when a drainage problem keeps returning.
For example, if a toilet or outside drain has been unblocked several times but continues to block, simply clearing the latest obstruction may not solve the underlying problem.
There could be a structural defect further along the pipe.
A CCTV survey allows the engineer to investigate rather than relying solely on what can be seen from the surface.
This can help determine whether the problem is caused by:
Blockages: Build-up of debris, grease, scale or foreign objects.
Roots: Tree roots can enter damaged joints or cracks and interfere with drainage flow.
Pipe damage: Cracks, displaced joints or collapsed sections can affect the performance of a drainage system.
Scale: Hard deposits can reduce the internal diameter of a pipe and contribute to restricted flow.
Should You Have a CCTV Drain Survey When Buying a House?
A property purchase is one of the biggest financial commitments many people make, so understanding the condition of the drainage system can provide valuable peace of mind.
A standard property survey does not necessarily provide a detailed assessment of every underground drain. A dedicated CCTV drain survey when buying a house can provide additional information about accessible drainage pipework.
This can be particularly worthwhile if the property is older, has extensive underground drainage, has experienced previous drainage problems, or has mature trees close to drainage routes.
If defects are discovered before completion, you may be able to discuss potential repair costs with the seller or factor necessary work into your decision.
Can a CCTV Survey Find a Collapsed Drain?
Yes, CCTV drainage equipment can be used to identify structural problems within accessible pipework, including deformation and partial or complete collapse.
However, there are limitations.
A heavily blocked or water-filled pipe may prevent the camera from obtaining a clear view. In some circumstances, the drainage line needs to be cleared before a useful CCTV inspection can be completed. Professional drainage specifications also recognise jetting as a way of extending CCTV inspection where silt or blockages restrict the survey.
This is why CCTV surveys and professional drain clearance often work together.
What Happens After the Survey?
Once the inspection has been completed, the findings can be used to determine the most appropriate next step.
Depending on what is discovered, this could include:
- Drain cleaning or descaling
- High-pressure water jetting
- Root removal
- Drain repair
- Drain relining
- Excavation and pipe replacement
- Ongoing drainage maintenance
The important thing is that the repair is based on the condition of the drainage system rather than guesswork.
For example, a cracked pipe may require a different solution from a simple blockage, while extensive structural damage could require excavation and replacement.
CCTV Drain Surveys for Domestic and Commercial Properties
CCTV drainage inspections are not just for homeowners.
They can also be useful for commercial properties such as pubs, restaurants, offices, landlords, schools and other premises where drainage problems can cause significant disruption.
For a business, identifying drainage defects early can help reduce the likelihood of unexpected blockages, flooding and disruption to normal operations.
Kingfisher Drainage & Jetting can inspect drainage systems and help identify the cause of recurring problems for both domestic and commercial customers.
Why Choose Kingfisher Drainage & Jetting?
At Kingfisher Drainage & Jetting, we believe in finding the cause of a drainage problem rather than simply treating the symptoms.
Our services include:
- CCTV drain surveys and inspections
- Drain unblocking
- High-pressure water jetting
- Drain descaling
- Drain repairs
- Drain relining
- Root removal
- Drain maintenance
- Commercial drainage services
- 24/7 emergency drainage
Our experienced engineers use specialist drainage equipment to investigate problems and provide practical recommendations based on what they find.
Do You Need a CCTV Drain Survey in Essex?
If your drains keep blocking, you have noticed unusual smells, slow drainage or suspect there could be damage to your underground pipework, a CCTV drain survey could help identify the cause.
Kingfisher Drainage & Jetting provides professional CCTV drain surveys in Essex for domestic and commercial properties.
Contact our team today to discuss your drainage problem and find out whether a CCTV inspection could provide the answers you need.
