Drain survey & repair guide - your FAQs answered by experts

Drain survey & repair FAQs

If you’re thinking about hiring a drain surveyor, you may be wondering what the process involves and have questions about repair options. Whether you’re looking for drain mapping or relining solutions, here are our most FAQs answered.

What is a drain survey?

A drain survey uses specialist CCTV equipment to perform a comprehensive check of your drainage system’s condition. It can be used for situations such as recurring problems or planning property renovations. The drain report will help to identify blockages, leaks or structural issues, and it can even be used to map out the system for you.

What are the signs you need a drain survey?

Signs you need a drain survey include slow-draining sinks or toilets, foul odours, gurgling sounds from drains and visible water or sewage backups.

What happens during a drain survey?

Drain surveys use specialist CCTV cameras to transmit real-time footage to a technician who can assess the condition of the system, locate issues and recommend necessary repairs.

Are drain surveys worth it?

Drain surveys can prevent issues and find out why problems are happening. They’re used by both homeowners and commercial businesses, preventing disruptions and maintaining hygienic conditions.

How long do CCTV drain surveys take?

CCTV drain survey timings will vary due to differences in site sizes and the complexities of the work required. However, on average, drain assessments take around 90 minutes to two hours to complete.

Can drain repairs be performed without digging up the ground?

The extent of drain repair work will depend on what’s wrong. However, many cracks in the pipes can be remedied without the need to dig, including the installation of structural drain lining.

Can you get a home buyer’s drain survey?

Yes, a home buyers survey looks at the condition of a property’s drain system, confirming any defects.

What’s the cost of a drain survey and repairs?

Drain survey and repair costs will vary, depending on the size of the site and the remedial work required. The best thing to do is to get a free quote from a reputable CCTV drain surveyor. If they find out repairs are required during the survey, they’ll let you know the cost, and you can then decide whether to go ahead.

Do drain surveyors unblock drains?

While the main aim of a CCTV drain survey is to see what’s going on in the pipes, emergency blockage clearances are often performed on the same day if necessary. In fact, this is sometimes required during the inspection if it’s blocking the surveyor from obtaining good access or getting high-quality images.