Drains are an important aspect of any property. Noticing that they’re not functioning as efficiently as they usually do can be mighty frustrating.
Knowing what’s happening inside your drainpipes can be beneficial and give you a clear insight into what seems to be causing the issue. And the best way to inspect your drainage system without having to excavate is to arrange a CCTV drain survey.
What is a CCTV drain survey?
A CCTV drainage survey is where a certified surveyor feeds a state-of-the-art camera directly into the drain – providing real-time images of its current condition.
Using the images and footage from the in-depth survey, a drainage expert can clearly identify any issues that may be causing your drains to be blocked or potential problems that could arise later on. They can also provide recommendations on how best to resolve the issue, restoring normal drainage function as quickly as possible, and ensuring minimal disruption and expense for you.
There are several times that you might need to employ the expertise of a certified drainage company to carry out a CCTV drain survey. Here we look at some of the most common.
When is a CCTV drain survey required?
1. Purchasing a new property
Looking to buy your first home? Perhaps you’re thinking about moving to a new house?
Though it’s easy to get carried away with all the excitement, and there’s a lot to consider, the property’s drainage system is not to be overlooked.
Having the sewers surveyed before you sign any contracts is always a sensible idea. A homebuyers CCTV survey will give you a clear idea of what the drainage infrastructure is like and make you aware of any issues or repairs that might be required, allowing you to make an informed decision on a property.
Likewise, if you’re extending your property or having building work done, a build over survey will give you the peace of mind – both before and after work commences – that your construction won’t impede on the drainage infrastructure.
2. Water draining slowly
Is your bath or sink taking longer to drain? This is a clear indication that you have a blockage somewhere in your drainage pipework.
It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact location and extent of the blockage without the appropriate tools – but that’s where a CCTV drain survey comes in useful.
Professional drainage contractors, like us at ADS, can locate the blockage and identify the cause of the disruption using XTI cameras and Win-Can reporting software. We’ll then be able to rectify the issue before it becomes a major problem.
3. Water pooling
A slow draining sink or bath is one thing, but if it’s not draining at all – well, that suggests you have a serious problem with your drains.
In most cases, pooling water is the result of a blockage in the pipework or a collapsed drainpipe. The best way to be sure is to arrange a CCTV drain survey.
A fully-qualified engineer will be able to inspect the drains and create a suitable plan of action to resolve the issue as soon as possible. They can also offer tips on how to prevent water pooling in the future.
4. Unpleasant smells
Is there a strange smell emanating from your drains? Often, grease, food waste, hair, soap scum and sanitary products can block the sink in your kitchen or bathroom and the toilet, bath and shower.
When this happens, waste materials aren’t disposed of efficiently and foul smells make their way back up through your system, and into your home.
Booking a CCTV drain inspection will outline exactly what’s going on inside your pipework. This way you can get it fixed quickly and not have to put up with nasty smells for too long.
5. Suspected rat problem
Have you heard scratching in the loft at night? Found droppings behind the sofa or rub marks along the walls? These are just some of the tell-tale signs you have a pest problem.
Rat infestations can be a serious risk to health and hygiene. But the good news is, a CCTV drain survey will identify how pests are entering your property (usually via defective pipes), allowing you to take the necessary steps to repair the damaged pipework and prevent rats from getting into your home in the future.
6. Routine maintenance
Most people arrange a CCTV drain survey because they’ve spotted something isn’t quite right with their drains. However, drainage systems undergo a lot, and having them inspected every so often will ensure that they are in tip-top condition.
Asking a professional to take a look at your drains for no apparent reason, other than preventative maintenance, makes perfect sense. You’ll be made aware of any possible areas of concern and can have them repaired before they fester into something much more serious and costly.
Do you need a CCTV drain survey?
Get in touch with our CCTV drainage specialists today at ADS.
We cover all areas in London – including residential and commercial properties – and offer our extensive drainage service for a highly competitive price.
Our engineers use only the best equipment to conduct CCTV drain surveys and supply a thorough report, detailing our findings in a way that’s easy to interpret.
If you have any further questions about our drainage inspections, please don’t hesitate to contact us. You can either call 0800 955 7955 or email info@london-drainage.co.uk. Always on hand, we’d love to hear from you.