When a survey makes sense
- The same drain keeps blocking
- There's a smell or damp patch and no obvious cause
- You suspect roots, cracks or a collapsed pipe
- You're buying a house, especially an older one, and want to know what you're taking on
- You're planning an extension and need to know where the drains run
- Your insurer wants evidence of damage
What we do
We push a waterproof camera through the drain from a manhole or access point and watch the picture live. You can see it too. We look for blockages, root intrusion, cracks, broken or displaced joints, sagging sections that hold water, and collapses.
Finding the drain: sonde locating
Many drains run under drives, patios and gardens with no record of where they go. We use a sonde, a small transmitter on the camera, to trace the line from above ground and mark exactly where the pipe is and how deep. If anything needs digging, we dig in the right place, once.
What happens next
We explain what we found in plain English and tell you what, if anything, needs doing. If the drain needs work, we give you a fixed price. Many problems can be repaired from inside the pipe without digging. See drain repairs.
Questions people ask
Do I need a survey for a single blockage?
Usually not. A one-off blockage just needs clearing. A survey is worth it when the problem keeps coming back or there are signs of damage.
Can you survey before I buy a house?
Yes. Older properties in particular can have clay pipes with cracks and roots that a standard house survey won't pick up. Call us to arrange it.