How Can CCTV Drain Surveys Prevent Flooding and Sewer Collapse?

Almost every day it seems like there’s some new catastrophe involving UK sewers and drains. A mixture of heavy rain and poor treatment has left much of the UK’s drainage vulnerable to flooding and, even more seriously, collapsing. This is true for both main sewer lines and those which are owned privately. This can be a major problem for both businesses and residential properties. As if the limited access from flooding wasn’t enough, the smell of sewer water and human waste can make the area unbearable.

Fortunately, all this disruption can be avoided thanks to CCTV drain surveys. They can quickly and easily identify weak points and potential problems with private and main drainage pipes. What’s more, they can be undertaken in pipes of practically any size, allowing you to identify and resolve issues before they develop.

What Are CCTV Drain Surveys?

Using the latest in portable CCTV technology, you will be able to look inside your property’s drains. Using remote control cameras, a specialist team will be able to give you an effective overview of your entire drainage system. These cameras can be propelled through practically any sewage or drainage pipeline and provide a detailed inspection of your pipes’ reliability.

A professional team will be able to utilise both push-rod cameras and remote controlled “Crawler Cams” to access any length or width of pipe to pinpoint potential problems. It can be difficult to identify developing issues on your own, but a professional team should provide you with a comprehensive report. Ideally, you also want to make sure you obtain video evidence of any identified problems, so you can get a second opinion if required.

When Do You Need CCTV Drain Surveys?

Ideally, you want to check your drains on a regular basis – perhaps every couple of years. In most cases, this can help to identify problems before they develop and help to keep disruption and repair costs as low as possible.

If you’re selling or buying a new home or property, then a CCTV survey of all drains is a good idea. Otherwise, you might be adding a costly repair bill on top of what you are already spending. If you’re looking to get a mortgage on a property, then it is common for the lender to request a CCTV survey – just so they know what they are getting into.

Drains and sewers aren’t something that we think about a lot – we only really notice them when something goes wrong. Thanks to CCTV drain surveys you can prevent anything from going wrong with your drainage and avoid costly repair bills.

How Can Drain Surveys Prevent Collapse And Flooding?

By identifying potential problems early, you can work to repair or replace them before any significant damage is done. There are a wide range of problems which might develop in your drainage pipes, all of which can be identified thanks to detailed CCTV surveys. A professional team will be able to monitor all relevant aspects of your pipes, including:

• Ovality - This is the shape of the pipe. If the drain has warped, this could easily lead to blockages or external leaks and may indicate that the pipe needs replacing.

• Capacity & Size – This shows how much your pipes can deal with. Pipes which are too small and placed under too much pressure are common, especially when multiple homes or businesses share the same drainage.

• Erosion – Over time, many pipes can become eroded. This means that they wear away over time, and are prone to bursting. CCTV drain surveys can identify this early, allowing you to replace the pipe with as little disruption as possible.

• Debris – Blocked pipes are one of the most common causes of flooding. Keeping your drains clear of debris is the most effective way to prevent long-lasting damage. Typically, debris can include grease, wet-wipes, fat washed down the sink, kitchen roll and human waste.

• Surface Damage – If the interior of the pipe has become damaged, this can indicate that the pipe itself is under too much pressure, or has not been treated with the right protections to deal with its role.

By identifying any of these problems early, you can prevent long-lasting damage and avoid costly repairs. This is true for private businesses, residential homes, public spaces and even new construction sites.

As a team of drainage experts, based in Hertfordshire, we’ve seen our share of damaged pipes. We know just the problems that they can cause, and we do our best to prevent them. That’s why we offer comprehensive CCTV Drain Surveys to home owners, businesses and more. We can provide manual push rod cameras as well as industry-leading Crawler Cams to identify potential problems in high detail. We also provide a simple, easy-to-understand report at the end of our investigation, so you can be certain you’ll understand the state your pipes are in.