Buyers check the roof, windows and wiring. Few check the drains, which sit underground. A CCTV drain survey shows what a standard home survey may not.
What a CCTV drain survey is
An engineer feeds a small waterproof camera into the drain. The camera records the pipe condition as it travels along the run. The engineer can then spot blockages and damage while nobody digs.
Why a home survey can miss drains
A homebuyer's report covers what the surveyor can see and reach. Drains run underground, so they often fall outside that scope. Unless damp or movement shows up, a drain fault may go unflagged when nobody sees it.
Problems a drain survey can find
A survey reports every fault the camera sees. Some faults are minor, while others change the price you should pay. Here are the usual findings:
- Tree root ingress: roots enter joints and cracks, then block or break the pipe
- Cracked or collapsed pipes: older clay or pitch fibre pipes can crack with age
- Displaced joints: ground movement can pull joints apart and let waste leak out
- Wrong connections: for example a surface water pipe joined to a foul sewer
- Fat and debris build-up: heavy build-up may need clearing before you move in
Properties with mature trees nearby face a higher risk of root problems. Older homes may also have older pipes. Neither point is a reason to walk away, since the survey tells you the facts.
What a survey costs
Prices vary with the size of the property and the length of the drain run. MyJobQuote gives an average survey of about £250, with quotes from £90 to £500 because scope differs. Survey Match gives £200 to £350 plus VAT for a 2 to 3 bed home.
Most quotes cover the inspection and report only, so repairs cost extra. Prices also vary with access and the time needed on site. MyJobQuote gives relining at £80 to £150 a metre, and WP Drainage gives £70 to £250. MyJobQuote gives an average of about £850 for a collapsed drain repair. Ask the engineer for a written quote before work starts.
Using the results in a purchase
A survey can change how you buy by giving you facts. If it finds a fault, you have four main options:
- Ask for a lower price to cover repair costs
- Ask the seller to fix the fault before completion
- Walk away if the problems are too serious
- Go ahead and budget for the repair
A written report with footage carries more weight than a verbal comment, since it shows exactly what is wrong. Show it to your solicitor before you exchange. Our guide to shared drains and the CON29DW search explains who owns each pipe.
What to look for in a survey provider
- Camera footage you can keep
- A written report with clear photos
- A plain explanation of every fault found
- Advice on repair options
- A written quote for any repair work
Ask these questions before you book. A short verbal summary is not the same as a full report. Check what you will receive, since providers differ. For more detail, read the complete home-buyer's guide to drain surveys.
If the survey finds damage
A survey can show whether a fault suits pipe relining or drain excavation. The drain repairs service page explains both options. Keep the footage, so a second engineer can price the work from it.
Start with the pre-purchase drain survey page. The CCTV drain surveys hub lists every survey type, while the town pages below cover local detail. If your move is near Chelmsford, see CCTV drain surveys in Chelmsford.
Survey pages by town
Buyers near Ingatestone can read about CCTV drain surveys in Ingatestone. If the footage shows damage, drain repairs in Ingatestone and drain repairs in Brentwood explain the repair options.