CCTV Drain Surveying

What Does a CCTV Drain Survey Involve?

A CCTV drain survey involves inserting a high-definition waterproof camera into your drainage system via an existing access point — typically a manhole, inspection chamber, or drain opening. The camera is pushed through the pipework on a flexible rod, transmitting live footage to a monitor above ground where our engineer can see exactly what's happening inside your pipes in real time.

The entire survey is recorded, and our engineer notes the location, nature, and severity of any defects found. After the survey, we provide a full written report detailing every finding, along with the recorded footage, so you have a complete and permanent record of your drainage system's condition. This report can be used for insurance purposes, conveyancing, planning applications, or simply as a baseline for future maintenance.

Most residential CCTV surveys take between 1 and 2 hours. Larger commercial or industrial drainage systems may take longer depending on the extent and complexity of the pipework.

When Do You Need a CCTV Drain Survey?

There are many situations where a CCTV drain survey is the right first step. Here are the most common reasons our customers in Leeds and Yorkshire book a survey:

• Recurring blockages that keep coming back despite being cleared — a sign of an underlying structural problem
• Slow drainage throughout the property — could indicate a partial blockage or root ingress in the main sewer
• Foul smells from drains inside or outside the property — often caused by cracked pipes or trapped debris
• Pre-purchase property surveys — check the drainage condition before you buy
• Subsidence or sinkholes in the garden — can be caused by leaking drain pipes washing away the surrounding soil
• Rat or pest problems — rats most commonly enter properties through cracked or broken drain pipes
• Insurance claims — your insurer may require a CCTV survey report to process a drainage-related claim
• Before any drain repair or relining work — to confirm the exact location and nature of the defect
• New build or extension drainage sign-off — to confirm new drainage has been installed correctly

Pre-Purchase CCTV Drain Surveys in Leeds & Yorkshire

Buying a property is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make — yet most homebuyers never check the condition of the drains before they exchange contracts. A standard homebuyer's survey does not include a detailed drainage inspection, meaning serious and expensive drain problems can go undetected until after you've moved in.

A pre-purchase CCTV drain survey from Drains First Limited gives you a complete picture of the drainage system's condition before you commit to the purchase. We survey all accessible drains and provide a full written report with footage — which you can use to negotiate on price, request repairs from the vendor, or simply make an informed decision about whether to proceed.

We regularly carry out pre-purchase surveys for homebuyers, property investors, and their solicitors across Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, Harrogate, and all surrounding areas. Our reports are accepted by solicitors and mortgage lenders for conveyancing purposes.

What Defects Can a CCTV Survey Identify?

Our high-definition cameras can identify a wide range of drainage defects that would be impossible to detect without opening up the ground. Common findings include:

• Cracks and fractures in clay, concrete, or plastic pipes
• Displaced or open pipe joints — common in older clay drainage systems
• Root ingress — tree roots growing into pipes through cracks and joints
• Collapsed or deformed pipe sections
• Blockages and heavy grease or scale build-up
• Incorrect pipe gradients causing standing water and recurring blockages
• Infiltration — groundwater entering the drainage system through defects
• Exfiltration — sewage leaking out of the drainage system into the surrounding ground
• Vermin access points — cracks and open joints used by rats to enter properties