| CCTV drains surveys involve inserting a small-scale | | | | come from part of the drain up-stream from your |
| CCTV camera into your drains system to identify | | | | location it will indicate the general state of disrepair of |
| any problems that are obscured from sight above | | | | the drains |
| ground. Nowadays small, good quality CCTV cameras | | | | If you have any worries following your drain |
| are inexpensive and have enabled the price of a | | | | inspection it may be worthwhile contacting a drainage |
| CCTV survey to be within the reach of most | | | | specialist to conduct a thorough CCTV drain survey |
| homeowners. These surveys can be used as part of | | | | to prove the true cause of the problem. |
| a regular maintenance programme or to identify | | | | What are the benefits of CCTV Surveys? |
| existing problems without requiring a hole to be dug. | | | | A CCTV appraisal can be executed with little fuss |
| CCTV surveys of drains, pipes, and sewers can also | | | | and disturbance but they rapidly establish the facts. A |
| offer an accurate, visual and economical means to | | | | CCTV survey requires sending a TV camera into the |
| discover any drains issues, observe the source of the | | | | your sewer and making a video recording of what it |
| problem and help to establish the most economic | | | | sees. A CCTV survey will not check that drainage is |
| repair options. | | | | watertight or leaky, however it will establish and |
| Drains degrade over time | | | | locate regions of damage or blockage. Critiquing the |
| Whilst drainage systems are underground and out of | | | | CCTV survey the drainage engineer will be able to |
| sight they should not be ignored. One of most | | | | pinpoint the troublesome area without the need for |
| serious drainage issues that can impact all types of | | | | costly exploratory holes in the ground. At this point a |
| home is that posed by leaking drains. Over time | | | | repair programme can be set up and whilst a hole |
| drains and sewerage systems can degenerate leading | | | | may need to be dug it will be at the precise location |
| to structural problems through wall cave in or ingress | | | | of the trouble thereby minimising subsequent costs |
| from plant roots / builders shovels. With the passage | | | | and disturbance. |
| of time this will lead to a greater problem which will | | | | Many commercial enterprises are now using drain |
| manifest itself on the surface with flooding. The | | | | surveys as part of a regular maintenance plan. In |
| homeowner can visually inspect most drains fairly | | | | these cases the survey might not show any |
| easily if there are satisfactory inspection chambers, | | | | problems at all. This is not a bad outcome and |
| and if they are not blocked off. At this point in time | | | | affords the business proprietor the confidence that |
| you should to assess the inspection chambers in your | | | | they will not be facing a surprise bill in time to come. |
| property, are they easily accessed or has someone | | | | They can also be satisfied that t they will not be |
| put up a fence panel or small wall across one? | | | | contravening any laws should a blockage lead to |
| Visual Drain Inspections by the Homeowner | | | | flooding of their business premises or contamination |
| Inspecting your drains merely involves raising manhole | | | | of their goods for sale. |
| covers and running water through the drains from | | | | CCTV images can also be gathered after a repair has |
| the taps inside your home, you should then see the | | | | been completed. If your drainage contractor offers |
| water running throughout the drainage system. This | | | | this as part of their service you will be able to see |
| can be carried out by any able DIY practician with | | | | the results of their work and have the confidence of |
| care, take care of your back and feet when opening | | | | a job well done before you make that final payment. |
| up a drain cover and see to it that nothing falls in, | | | | Pre Home Purchase Surveys |
| including toys or your tools. Anyone with very old | | | | Camera CCTV surveys are not exclusively used for |
| drains systems should note that drains built many | | | | fault finding once a problem is encountered; it is now |
| years ago may not have inspection chambers and | | | | becoming common practice for aspiring homebuyers |
| your only way of seeing inside the drainage system | | | | to arrange a drain survey ahead of completing the |
| will be via a small camera. | | | | purchase to discover any potential and costly issues. |
| Look in the chamber, if any of the following | | | | Underground drains may be inconspicuous but they |
| examples can be seen then there may be a cause | | | | should be looked at as part of the overall purchase |
| for concern: - | | | | appraisal particularly if you are purchasing a new |
| - Tree roots growing in the chamber and any of the | | | | property. Drainage systems can be very complex and |
| linking pipes. | | | | maintenance work can be costly if it requires |
| - Stagnant water lying in the drainage canal instead of | | | | excavating areas of land. Recognising the likely high |
| flowing through the system. In particular if you see | | | | price of drain repairs, CCTV surveys before house |
| dark and possibly putrid water then there is almost | | | | purchase can be cost-effective investments and pay |
| certainly an obstruction | | | | for themselves several times over. |
| - Signs of debris in the channel, whilst this may have | | | | |