A CCTV drain survey sounds simple, because a camera goes down the drain and you see what is there. In practice, though, the quality of the result varies a lot. It depends on the kit, the operator and what they look for. This is an honest account of what a good survey shows, what it cannot tell you, and what your report should contain.
What the Camera Actually Does
A drain camera is a small waterproof head on a flexible rod or a self-propelled crawler. The head usually has a rotating lens and a ring of LEDs that light the pipe as it moves. While it moves, a live video feed shows on a monitor above ground, and the footage is recorded for the report.
The camera enters from an access point, such as an inspection chamber, a rodding eye or a clean-out. Since the operator notes what they see at set points, they use a distance counter on the cable reel. Each note is time-stamped on the recording, because that lets you find every defect exactly.
What a CCTV Survey Can Identify
Structural defects. Cracks, fractures, collapsed sections, slipped joints and bent pipe walls all show up clearly, while the operator grades each defect by severity, usually with the standard WRc coding system. This tells you whether a defect is minor, needs watching or needs action now.
Root intrusion. Fine roots entering through cracked joints, and large root masses that block the pipe, are easy to see. Because the survey shows how far the roots have grown and how much of the pipe they fill, you can judge the damage.
Blockages and debris. Grease, silt, debris and partial blockages show up, and the operator can locate them. If the pipe is too blocked for the camera, the report says so. Although it adds a step, jetting can then clear it before a second survey.
Pipe material and bore. An experienced operator can tell clay from pitch fibre, plastic or cast iron. They can also see whether deposits have narrowed the bore. Since pitch fibre pipes are notorious for bending and collapsing, and since they turn up in some mid-century London homes, this matters. A CCTV survey is the only reliable way to check their condition.
Incorrect connections. Sometimes a surface water drain is wrongly joined to the foul sewer, or the reverse. The operator can often spot this, because they trace the flow and check the junctions.
Pre-existing repairs. Old liners, patches and concrete fill all show on camera. The report should note them, since they can affect whether relining will work.
Because our CCTV drain survey service covers the full range of survey types, it runs from quick single-access home surveys to multi-access commercial drain checks.
What a CCTV Survey Cannot Tell You
Pipe condition beyond the camera's reach. If an access point lets the camera travel only part of the way, the rest of the run is not surveyed. Although a full survey may need several access points, always check the report to see how much of the run was actually inspected.
Whether a public sewer has a problem. A home survey covers your private drains, plus any shared private drain on your land, while the public sewer in the road is Thames Water's responsibility. If you need to know its condition, a drainage search (CON29DW) is the right tool.
The exact cause of a recurring smell. Smells can come from a dry trap, a vent fault, a wrong connection or a film on the pipe walls. Although a camera can find structural causes, but it cannot detect smell or gas.
Whether the drains are the right size. A survey shows what is there, not whether it is big enough. Because of this, if you plan an extension or loft conversion, a capacity check needs separate modelling.
What Your Survey Report Should Include
Because reports vary, a professional report should contain these items.
- A plan or diagram. It shows the drain layout, the access points used and the direction of the survey
- Defect coding. The report uses WRc or a similar standard, and it gives each defect's distance from the access point
- A condition grade. Each pipe run gets a grade, from good to needing action at once
- The full video recording. You get it on a USB stick or a download link, with time stamps that match the report
- Recommendations. Each defect gets advice, such as monitor, jet, reline, patch or dig
If your report is only a written list, with no plan, distances or grades, ask for more detail, since you should do this before you pay for any repair based on it. You can check a contractor quickly at Companies House. Our guide on drain surveys without a manhole covers your options if your home has no obvious access point. For more on what you should receive, see our CCTV drain survey cost breakdown. It explains the gap between a basic survey and a full one.
Pre-Purchase Surveys vs Investigation Surveys
A pre-purchase survey happens before you buy a home. Although it is usually a full survey from every accessible chamber, it aims to find defects that affect the home's value. Our pre-purchase drain survey guide covers what to expect as a buyer.
An investigation survey happens because of a specific problem. That might be a repeat blockage, a collapse, a smell or wet patches in the garden. Here the camera is a diagnostic tool, since it locates and describes the fault.
The kit and the process are alike, yet the difference is what you look for, and how you use the report.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a CCTV drain survey take?
A standard survey of a three-bedroom house covers the soil stack, kitchen drain and the lateral to the public sewer. It takes a modest time on site, while larger homes and commercial sites with several access points take longer.
Do I need to clear the drain before a CCTV survey?
If the drain is badly blocked, the camera may not get through, so in that case we jet the drain first, then survey. We will tell you before we start if this is needed.
Can CCTV survey footage be used in a legal dispute?
It can help, because footage with time stamps and professional coding is often used as evidence in property disputes and insurance claims. Still, check with your solicitor or insurer about the format they need.
What does a CCTV drain survey cost in London?
The price depends on the scope, since it ranges from a basic single-access survey to a full multi-access investigation. Full pricing is on our CCTV drain survey cost page.
Can you carry out a survey in London?
Since we offer home surveys across Greater London, you can request a quote online via our contact form to book.
Because every property is different, start with our guides to cctv drain surveys and bathroom drain blockages advice. We also cover cctv drain surveys in Catford and cctv drain surveys in Central London, so you can see how the work runs near you.
