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CCTV Drain Survey

Not every drainage problem is visible from the surface, so guessing at the cause of a recurring blockage or a damp patch on the wall rarely gets you very far. At Plumbco, we carry out CCTV drain surveys to help us see exactly what is happening inside your pipework, without digging up your garden to find out.

We feed a waterproof, high-definition camera through the system to identify blockages, cracks, root intrusion and displaced joints, then provide a clear report with footage and recommendations. There is no call-out fee, no charge for evenings, weekends or bank holidays, and a fixed price agreed before we start.

If you are dealing with a drainage problem you cannot explain, or you simply want to know the condition of your pipework, get in touch with us by calling 0808 303 8888, and we will arrange a survey at a time that suits you.

CCTV Drain Survey Cutaway Illustration

Types of CCTV Drain Survey

Not every property needs the same kind of survey, so it helps to understand which type applies to your situation.

Pre-Purchase Drain Survey

Buying a property is one of the biggest decisions most homeowners make, yet standard homebuyer's and building surveys rarely look at what is happening underground. A pre-purchase CCTV drain survey fills that gap, giving you a clear picture of the drainage system's condition before you commit to a purchase.

Our engineers provide a straightforward pass or fail assessment for every section of pipe, supported by footage and practical recommendations. That puts you in a stronger position to negotiate on price, ask the seller to carry out repairs, or budget properly for any work needed after you move in.

Diagnostic Drain Survey

If your drains keep blocking, smell unpleasant, drain slowly or you have noticed damp appearing where it should not, something is happening further down the system that a diagnostic survey can uncover. We inspect the full run from your property to its connection with the public sewer, locating every obstruction, defect and weak point along the way.

Once we know exactly what is causing the problem, we can recommend the right next step, whether that is a straightforward clearance, a targeted repair, relining, or replacement of the affected section.

Insurance & Claims Survey

Insurers often ask for CCTV evidence before they will process a drainage claim, and without it, claims can stall or be turned down altogether. We provide survey reports written specifically for insurance submission, with clear descriptions of the damage, annotated footage and a professional assessment of what caused it and what needs to happen next.

Where repair work has already been carried out, we can also survey the completed job to help bring the claim to a close.

Build-Over Survey

If you are planning an extension, conservatory or any new structure near a public sewer, your local water authority may require a build-over survey before giving the go-ahead. This confirms the condition of the drain both before and after construction, protecting you and the sewer network alike.

We provide build-over survey reports that meet water authority requirements and can be submitted directly as part of your planning application.

Post-Repair & Verification Survey

Once a repair, reline or new installation is complete, it is worth confirming the work has been done properly, particularly if someone else carried it out. We include a post-work CCTV check as standard with our own repair and installation services, and we are happy to carry out a standalone verification survey on drainage work completed by another contractor.

Whichever type of survey you need, the same thorough process runs underneath, starting with a clear idea of what we are looking for.

What We Look for During a CCTV Drain Survey

  • Blockages and Obstructions: Grease, debris and other material restricting flow.
  • Cracks and Fractures: Hairline cracks through to longitudinal and circumferential breaks.
  • Displaced Joints: Where pipe sections have shifted, leaving ledges or gaps.
  • Root Intrusion: Roots growing into pipework through joints, cracks or connections.
  • Deformation: Pipes that have lost their circular shape, common in older pitch fibre pipework.
  • Collapsed Sections: Where the pipe has caved in and flow is badly restricted or stopped completely.
  • Scale and Deposit Build-Up: Mineral, calcium and iron deposits narrowing the pipe.
  • Pipe Material and Condition: Identifying clay, PVCu, pitch fibre, cast iron or concrete pipework and assessing its overall condition.
  • Connection Defects: Laterals that protrude into the main pipe, missing seals or poorly made connections.

Your CCTV Drain Survey Report

Every Plumbco CCTV drain survey ends with a report that puts you in full control of what happens next. It includes:

  • Full HD footage of the survey, which you can download and share.
  • Annotated still images of every defect we find.
  • A written condition report describing each defect and how serious it is.
  • A map of your drainage system showing pipe routes, materials and connections.
  • Clear, prioritised recommendations for any clearance, repair or replacement work.
  • A fixed price quote for any remedial work we recommend.

Call or send an enquiry.

Call Us

Speak directly with one of our team to discuss your plumbing issue or arrange a visit.
0808 303 8888

Send an Enquiry

Complete our online contact form and tell us a little about the problem you're experiencing. We'll review your enquiry and get back to you as soon as possible.
enquiries@plumbcoltd.uk

Emergency Plumbing

If you have a burst pipe, major leak or another urgent plumbing emergency, we recommend calling us straight away so we can provide immediate assistance.
0808 303 8888

The Survey Process

01

Locating Access Points

We start by finding every manhole, inspection chamber and drain access point on your property, so the whole system can be surveyed properly.
02

Camera Deployment

A high-definition, self-levelling camera is fed into the drainage system from the most suitable access point.
03

Full System Inspection

The camera travels through each pipe run while recording continuous footage, and our engineer watches in real time, noting every defect as it appears.
04

Mapping Your Drainage System

We record the material, diameter, depth and direction of each pipe, along with how everything connects, to build a complete picture of your drainage network.
05

Compiling Your Report

Everything is brought together into a written report with annotated footage, a description of each defect, a condition grading and recommendations in order of priority.
06

Talking You Through the Findings

Before we leave, our engineer explains the key findings in plain terms and answers any questions you have. For pre-purchase surveys, we are also happy to talk things through with your solicitor or surveyor if that would help.

Why Choose Plumbco?

Fast response times

Experienced drainage specialists

Long-lasting solutions

Honest advice

Clean and tidy workmanship

Clear, straightforward pricing

CCTV Drain Survey FAQs

The price depends on the size of your property and how many drainage runs need inspecting, so we always agree a fixed price quote before any work begins. That way, you know exactly what you are paying with no surprises once the survey is complete.

Most residential surveys take around one to two hours, though larger properties with more extensive drainage networks can take a little longer. Your engineer will talk you through the initial findings on site, with your full written report and footage following shortly afterwards.

It is well worth it. Standard homebuyer's surveys do not cover what is happening underground, and issues such as root intrusion, collapsed pipework or deteriorating pitch fibre drains can be expensive to put right. A pre-purchase CCTV survey costs far less than the repairs it might uncover and gives you the full picture before you exchange contracts.

Not always. If every drain access point is outside and easy to reach, we can usually carry out the survey without anyone needing to be in. If we need access inside the property, for example to reach pipe runs under the building, we will let you know when you book so someone can be there.

A CCTV survey will pick up visible defects that cause or contribute to leaks, such as cracks, displaced joints and damaged connections. If we suspect a leak without any visible pipe damage, specialist leak detection equipment may be needed alongside the camera survey, and we can advise on the best way forward for your situation.

Book Your CCTV Drain Survey 

If you are dealing with a drainage problem you cannot get to the bottom of, buying a property and want peace of mind, or simply want to know the condition of your pipework, get in touch with Plumbco.

Call us on 0808 303 8888 24 hours a day or fill in our online contact form, and we will arrange a survey at a time that suits you.

  • Engineers on call 24/7
  • A clear price before we start

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