CCTV drainage survey and report
A camera survey of accessible drain runs to identify their condition, layout and any defects such as cracks, roots or collapses.
About this service
Drains stay out of sight until something goes wrong. A CCTV drainage survey sends a camera through the accessible pipe runs at your property, recording their route, condition and any defects. It is the most practical way to find out whether a drain is cracked, displaced, blocked by roots or collapsed without digging anything up. Our report turns the footage into clear findings and recommendations you can act on.
Homeowners investigating cracks or subsidence, buyers wanting to know what they are taking on, and builders checking drains before an extension all use this service. It is often an early step in a structural movement investigation, because a leaking drain is a common cause of localised foundation movement. Insurers and Building Control may also ask for evidence of drain condition.
London's housing is old, and so are its drains. Many Victorian and Edwardian homes still have clay pipes with mortar joints that crack and separate over time. Tree roots find their way into those joints, especially where mature street and garden trees grow in London Clay. Water escaping from a damaged drain can soften the soil or wash fine material from beneath foundations, leading to cracks in the walls above.
When you need it
- You suspect a leaking or damaged drain is causing subsidence
- You're buying a property or building over or near a drain
- Drains keep blocking
What's included
- CCTV inspection of accessible runs
- Video footage and stills
- Defect coding
- Repair recommendations
How it works
- Locate the access pointsWe find manholes, inspection chambers, rodding eyes and gullies, lift the covers and work out which runs can be surveyed. Access to a neighbour's chamber may be needed where drains are shared.
- Clear where neededLight debris is cleared so the camera can see the pipe wall. If a run is badly blocked, we explain the options for jetting it before the survey can be completed.
- Run the camera surveyA camera travels along each accessible run, recording continuous video with distance readings so every defect can be located from the access point for repair.
- Code the defectsWe review the footage and classify each defect, such as cracks, fractures, displaced joints, root ingress or deformation, using industry-standard defect coding.
- Report and recommendYou receive a drainage layout sketch, stills, video footage and defect codes, with recommendations from no action to local repair, lining or replacement.
What you receive
Reading the results and deciding on repairs
Not every defect needs urgent work. Minor cracking or slightly displaced joints may simply be recorded, while fractures, open joints near foundations or root masses blocking the pipe usually need repair. Location matters as much as the defect itself. A leaking joint beside a bay window footing on clay is far more important than the same defect at the end of the garden.
Repairs range from a short patch liner, to relining a full run, to digging out and replacing the pipe. Lining avoids excavation and is quick, but it slightly reduces the bore and cannot fix a badly deformed or collapsed pipe. Where the drain is shared or is a public sewer, the repair may be the sewerage company's responsibility rather than yours. Our drain repair specification sets out the work for contractors to price.
If you are investigating cracks, remember that drains are only one possible cause. Trees, clay shrinkage and past alterations can all play a part, so the drainage report is most useful read alongside a structural assessment. Our guide to subsidence signs and what to do explains how the pieces fit together. After repairs, a repeat survey confirms the drain is sound.
Not included
- The drain repairs themselves, which can be quoted separately
Projects that used this service
Frequently asked questions
What does a CCTV drain survey show?
It shows the inside of each accessible pipe run, including cracks, fractures, displaced or open joints, root ingress, deformation, collapses, debris and fat build-up. It also helps establish the route, direction of flow and approximate depth of the drains. The footage is recorded with distances, so any defect can be located from the access point when it comes to repair.
Can a broken drain cause subsidence?
Yes. Water leaking from a damaged drain can soften clay soils or wash fine material from beneath shallow foundations, especially in sandy or gravelly ground. This can cause localised settlement and cracking, often near a corner of the building or close to a gully. A CCTV survey is one of the first checks in any subsidence investigation for this reason.
Should I get a drain survey before buying a house?
It is worth considering for older properties, homes with large trees nearby, or where the building survey mentions cracking or a history of blocked drains. A standard building survey usually only lifts covers and looks into chambers, without inspecting inside the pipes. A CCTV survey shows the actual condition, so you can budget for repairs or negotiate before exchange.
Who is responsible for repairing a damaged drain?
Generally you are responsible for the drain within your boundary that serves only your property. Shared drains and sewers, including many serving neighbouring houses, are usually the responsibility of the sewerage company, which in most of London is Thames Water. The survey helps identify which parts are private and which are not, which matters when deciding who pays for a repair.
How much does a CCTV drainage survey cost?
Our CCTV drainage survey and report starts from £250 + VAT for the accessible runs at a typical property. The fee depends on the size of the system, access and whether cleaning is needed. Repairs are not included but can be specified or quoted separately. We confirm a fixed fee in writing before any work starts.