CCTV Drain Surveys explained
A CCTV drain survey sends a small camera along the pipe and records what it finds. The footage shows cracks, roots, displaced joints, silt and collapsed sections. You see the real state of the drain without digging, because the camera does the looking.
People order surveys for three main reasons. Some buy a home and want to know what lies below it. Others have repeat blocks, damp patches or smells, while a few need evidence for an insurer or a neighbour dispute.
What a survey shows
The camera travels through manholes and inspection chambers, so it needs access points. The operator records the run and notes each defect as it appears. A good report ties each defect to a place on the drain, since a defect with no location is hard to fix.
- Cracks, fractures and displaced joints
- Tree roots that have entered the pipe
- Silt, scale and grease build-up
- Sagging sections where water pools
- Collapsed or deformed pipe
Ask what the report will include before you book, since formats differ. Useful reports have footage, a drain plan and a clear list of defects. Some use the MSCC5 grading scheme, so ask whether yours does.
Two kinds of survey
A pre-purchase drain survey checks the whole drain run before you buy. It gives you evidence to use in price talks, with a defect list of facts to quote. Read that page if you are mid-purchase.
A drainage investigation starts from a symptom, such as a repeat block or a damp patch. The operator follows the pipe until the fault appears, since the symptom points to where to look. That page explains how the search works.
Typical UK costs for a CCTV drain survey
These are typical UK ranges from national guides, not Essex quotes. Quoted prices usually cover the inspection and the report only. Repairs are a separate job.
| Survey | Typical UK range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| All scopes | £90 to £500 | MyJobQuote |
| Average survey | About £250 | MyJobQuote |
| Small property | £150 to £200 plus VAT | Survey Match |
| Two or three bedrooms | £200 to £350 plus VAT | Survey Match |
| Large property | £350 to £500 plus VAT | Survey Match |
| Pre-purchase survey | £250 to £350 | MyJobQuote |
MyJobQuote says a survey usually takes about two hours. Large sites take longer, since there is more pipe to film. Ask for a written quote before work starts, and ask what the price includes.
After the survey
The report may show a drain in good shape, or it may show defects. Minor defects can wait, while serious ones need repair. If you need repairs, read about drain repairs and compare relining with digging.
CCTV Drain Surveys guides
Pre-Purchase Drain Survey
A drain survey before you buy can show defects that stay hidden underground. This page explains what to ask for and what it costs.
Drainage Investigation
A drainage investigation traces the cause of repeat blocks, damp or smells, since clearing alone does not find it. This page explains how a camera finds the fault.
Local pages for this service
Local pages explain surveys for each town we list. Start with CCTV drain surveys in Chelmsford, which is the main page. If you are further out, read drain camera survey in Great Baddow or Springfield drain survey guide. Each of those pages links back here.
Ask for help
Use the request form at the top of the page. Say what the problem is, where it sits and whether it is urgent, so the engineer can plan. Then ask for a written quote before work starts.
Go to the request formCCTV Drain Surveys questions answered
What is a CCTV drain survey and how does it work?
An operator feeds a camera along the drain through a manhole or access point. The camera records the pipe as it goes, while the operator watches a screen. You then get the footage and, if you ask for it, a written report.
How much does a drain survey cost?
MyJobQuote gives a wide range, from £90 to £500, because scope and property size differ, with an average of about £250. Survey Match gives £200 to £350 plus VAT for a 2 to 3 bed home. Ask what the price includes before you agree.
How long does a CCTV drain survey take?
MyJobQuote says a survey usually takes about two hours. Large properties and long runs take longer, since there is more to film. Ask the engineer for an estimate when you request the quote.
Do I need a drain survey when buying a house?
A survey is optional, yet buyers often order one for an older home, or when large trees stand close to the drains. The report gives you evidence to use before you exchange contracts.