What Happens During a CCTV Drain Survey?

If you've never had one before, a CCTV drain survey is a lot less disruptive than it sounds — no digging, no mess, and usually done within an hour or two. Here's what actually happens.

1. We Find an Access Point

Every drainage system has access points — usually a manhole or rodding eye — that let us feed equipment into the pipe without removing any flooring, paving or fixtures.

2. The Camera Goes In

A waterproof camera on a flexible rod is fed through the drain, recording footage as it travels. The engineer watches a live feed on a monitor, noting anything unusual as it appears — a crack, a root intrusion, a section that's not running true.

3. We Identify Any Defects

Common findings include root ingrowth through joints, hairline or full cracks, displaced or misaligned pipe sections, partial collapses, and general debris or scale build-up. Each is logged with its approximate distance from the access point.

4. You Get Footage and a Report

Once the survey's complete, you receive the recorded footage along with a written report explaining what was found and where. If you're buying a property, dealing with an insurance claim, or in dispute with a neighbour over a shared drain, this is the documentation you'll need.

5. We Talk Through Next Steps

If anything needs fixing, we'll explain the options — sometimes that's a straightforward clean, sometimes it's relining or a more involved repair — and give you a fixed price. There's no pressure to use us for any follow-up work; the survey and report are yours either way.

How Long Does It Take?

Most domestic surveys take 45–90 minutes depending on the length of the drain run and how many access points are available. Commercial or longer runs can take longer — we'll give you a realistic estimate when you book.

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