Why is a CCTV Drain Survey important when buying a home?

Just like a home buyers survey, the function of which is to uncover any underlying or unknown structural issues when buying a home, drain surveys uncover potential issues within the drainage network around a house or building. Generally not included within a regular home buyers survey, a drain survey is highly recommended since the cost of one vs the cost of fixing potential drainage problems is definitely worth it. Here we take a closer look at exactly what a CCTV drain survey is, and why they are so vital.

Taking a drain apart to investigate its health can be messy and inconvenient but diagnosing issues with drainage without specialist equipment, can be a challenging. This is where a CCTV drain survey comes into its own. Carried out by an expert engineer, specialised cameras are used to feed into pipework and drainage systems to investigate and diagnose potential issues. This type of drain survey can be carried out on both commercial and domestic properties. Once inserted, the camera provides live footage to the engineer to assist them with inspecting the drain. These high-tech cameras provide a drain mapping service in both over and underground pipework, potentially saving a great deal of chaos in a number of ways. Blockages, cracked pipes and structural issues are just a few examples of how drainage systems issues can be caused. But there are many more which makes commissioning a drain survey, when purchasing property, a wise investment.

Buying a home or investing in a building for a business can be a nerve-wracking process. Ensuring all regulatory paperwork is completed and attended to, is taxing enough, but making decisions about what risks you are willing to take is another matter. One of the ways that buyers can reduce the stress of this process is by paying for a variety of thorough surveys to completed on their investment building. Most mortgage providers will mandate that a level 1 or condition survey is completed. But there are more thorough surveys that are commonly paid for by a buyer or investor, usually called a level 2 or home buyers survey. However, neither of these types of survey will include information about the building’s drainage system. Hidden problems with drainage systems can cause huge disruption and be costly to fix if left undetected. Investing in a CCTV drain survey prior to buying a property could save a buyer a massive expense and provide leverage against the price of the property, providing peace of mind and added confidence.

Once a CCTV drain survey has been completed, the engineer will analyse all the footage and data recorded. They are then able to provide administer expert advice and guidance on the work required in order fix any hazards detected. A full written report is provided, along with a recording of the video footage taken. The customer then has the authority to employ the services of a qualified drainage engineer to take the necessary action, armed with the diagnostic report. Having a full CCTV drain survey report like this makes fixing drainage issues faster and simpler since the diagnostic work has already been completed.

CCTV drain surveys aren’t just for property buyers. There may be reasons to invest in one in an existing home or business. Sometimes, there are tell-tale signs that there might be problems with drainage, such as bubbling around drains or water backing up. But often, it can be too late by the time these symptoms become apparent and that is when carrying out the work needed can become expensive and disruptive. Floods, damp and subsidence are just a few examples of the type of damage that can be caused if there are issues with drainage. To avoid costly repairs or damage to more than just pipework or drains, investing in a CCTV drain survey is a wise move. Comparing the expense of a drain survey against the potential damage to property (or properties!) and added cost of repairs, it really is a no brainer.

Dr Drainage are specialists in all things drains. If you are buying a property and want to have peace of mind about its drainage situation, contact them today. Providing a first rate, expert service, they will arrange for one of their specialist engineers to visit your property to complete a full assessment. Furthermore, with a 24/7 call out support team and no call out charges, the team from Dr Drainage can be on hand to deal with any drainage emergency if disaster strikes!