One of the biggest challenges when properly diagnosing the source of a blocked drain or pipe is accessing the pipe to identify the issue, with the pipe usually buried under your garden landscape or concrete. With a CCTV drain survey, that problem is completely eliminated. After any investigation, the team here at Total Drainage Services will create a full report of what we find in our surveys, ensuring that your property meets all required regulations and laws. We ensure that our reports are extremely detailed, making it a lot easier to create a pre-planned maintenance scheme that prevents the damage that could cause a drainage emergency.
Drain Surveys with Crawler Cameras
CCTV drainage surveys are the most accurate way to detect the location of a drain blockage and what’s causing it. We have innovative technology which can detect exactly what is causing the blockage and will allow us to carry out drain clearance with accuracy and efficiency. Different obstructions require different methods of removal which is why it is always best to call in professionals.
The two main types of camera we use are crawler cameras and push rods. Crawler cameras are controlled remotely and allow for a full 360° angle of viewing, allowing it to identify an issue with a drain. Crawler cameras tend to be used for larger pipes, whilst for smaller ones a push rod will be used. Push rods are very useful for tighter spaces, allowing for even the narrowest pipes to receive CCTV coverage.
The other tools we use include:
- Dye testing: A dye is injected into the drainpipe and monitored for leaks and blockages, helping us pinpoint the location of a collapse
- Cat: This piece of equipment allows us to locate electrical cables that may pose a safety hazard when digging
- Jenny: A specialised tool that causes a low voltage to pass through metal pipes, allowing surveillance equipment to travel much further distances
Total Drainage Services can successfully get to the bottom of what exactly is causing the blockage of your drain by viewing it through CCTV footage, allowing us to come up with effective solutions in order to clear the blockage as quickly as possible. Being able to identify the cause also means you’ll know what steps to take to prevent any blockages in the future.
As well as offering comprehensive drain surveys in Bristol and the South West, we also provide other services to resolve your issues including drain unblocking, resin lining and gutter cleaning.
The CCTV Drain Survey Process
The first step in the process is conducting an initial external investigation of your drainage system to determine if a CCTV survey is required. If it is needed, we will compile video evidence through crawler camera and push rod footage. After that we’ll provide a full report of our findings, along with a quote for repairs and maintenance. Our drainage surveys are perfect for developers and surveyors because they are produced in a Wincam format that includes a written report, a DVD, photographs, quotations, and a scale drawing of the drainage network with any problem areas we discover.
Domestic and Commercial CCTV Drainage Survey Solutions
We use a three-tiered, colour-coded system in assessing the health of your drainage system:
- Code red indicates a seriously compromised pipeline that requires immediate emergency work.
- Amber indicates that your drains have ongoing issues that can be resolved with pre-planned maintenance.
- Green indicates a perfectly maintained drainage system that requires no further work.
Drain surveys are perhaps the most accurate way of detecting a major blockage, be it for homes or large commercial premises that might have vast and complex drainage networks. Specialist CCTV technology can detect the exact cause of your blocked drain so that we can get to the bottom of the issue as soon as possible. Call our expert team for more information or to request a CCTV drain survey for your property.
Drain Survey FAQs
What is a CCTV Drain Survey?
A CCTV drain survey is a type of drain survey that takes a detailed look at your drainage system using specialist camera equipment and innovative methods. A crawler camera is driven – or a push rod is fed – into the drainage system and will feed back footage to a monitor on the surface. From there, the cause of any blockage or leakage can be identified, and the steps required to fix the problem become clearer. The footage can be saved and documented for future records.
Why is a CCTV Drain Survey Important?
When a drain is hard to access, like it being buried underground, it can be hard to diagnose the exact cause of a blocked or broken drain. Depending on the type of blockage or drain issue present, different methods may be required to unblock the drain successfully, effectively and quickly.
A CCTV drain survey is a great way of identifying the root cause of any blockage, as knowing the issue means the correct solution can be paired with it. Knowing what caused the blockage is also a good way of knowing how to prevent further blockages in the future.
Do I Need a CCTV Drain Survey?
If you’re taking ownership of a new property, whether it’s a home or a commercial building, it’s useful to have a thorough CCTV drain survey to know the extent of, and condition of, your drainage system. If the property has previously had issues with blockages, a comprehensive crawler camera survey can help to identify pinch points in the system.
How is a CCTV Drain Survey Done?
A CCTV drainage survey is typically carried out by using a remote control crawler camera to travel through pipes and drainage systems in order to map and document the size, scale and condition of the drainage system. One alternative to a crawler camera is a push rod, which will normally be used in smaller pipes.
How Do I Get a Drain Survey?
In order to get a drain survey, all you need to do is contact a reputed local drainage expert such as Total Drainage Services, and we can talk you through the process, provide you with a quote and give you a full and detailed report of the state of your drainage system.
Is a CCTV Drain Survey Needed for My New House?
Whilst they’re not a requirement, it’s recommended that you have a CCTV drain survey carried out when moving into your new home. A drainage survey would be able to identify any issues that may already be present, and it’s a good way of knowing what preventative measures you need to put in place to prevent a blockage or flooding.
How Much Does a Home Buyer’s Drainage Survey Cost?
The cost of a CCTV drainage survey for new home buyers will depend on a number of factors, including the age and the footprint of your home. For an accurate breakdown of costs, it’s best to contact us directly to get a quote for your drain survey.
Keep your property up to code
We can accurately diagnose any problems in your drainage system with our state-of-the-art CCTV surveys.
Call Today: 01179 636 700
