CCTV Drain Survey London
Camera inspection of your drains with full written report and video footage — accepted by solicitors, insurers, and loss adjusters. Pre-purchase, insurance, and diagnostic surveys across all 33 London boroughs.
When Do You Need a CCTV Drain Survey?
Pre-Purchase Survey
Buying a London property? Survey the drains before exchange. Standard conveyancing misses drain condition. Victorian and Edwardian pipe defects cost £500–£20,000 to fix.
Tree Root Investigation
London's street trees (plane trees, limes) send roots into Victorian clay drains. CCTV confirms root ingress before jetting or lining.
Insurance Claim Evidence
Written report with GPS-located defects, photos, and video accepted by UK home and buildings insurers for drain repair claims.
Recurring Blockage Diagnosis
If a drain blocks repeatedly despite jetting, CCTV identifies the underlying structural cause — offset joint, bellied section, or partial collapse.
Post-Repair Verification
Confirm drain lining or repair work is complete and correct before signing off and making final payment to a contractor.
New Extension / Build
Locate and map existing drains before any groundworks. Prevents accidental damage to shared or adopted drains during construction.
What Defects Does CCTV Detect?
| Defect type | Frequency in London | Description | Recommended repair |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root ingress | Very Common | Tree roots penetrate at pipe joints. Most common in London's Victorian clay pipes under streets with mature plane trees. | Jetting + CIPP relining or pipe replacement |
| Displaced / offset joint | Common | Clay or concrete pipe joints shift due to ground movement, subsidence, or vehicle loading over time. | Patch liner or full section replacement |
| Pipe fracture / crack | Common | Longitudinal or circumferential cracks from ground settlement, frost, or impact. | CIPP (no-dig) relining or excavation + replacement |
| Collapsed pipe section | Moderate | Section of pipe has failed completely — often clay pipe under London roads. | Excavation and replacement — most expensive repair |
| Blockage / silt build-up | Very Common | Fat, grease, wet wipes, and London hard water scale accumulating in the pipe bore. | High-pressure jetting to clear |
| Misconnected pipe | Moderate | Foul waste misconnected to surface water drain or vice versa — regulatory issue under Water Industry Act. | Rerouting and reconnection to correct drain |
CCTV Drain Survey Prices — London 2026
| Service | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Single drain CCTV survey + written report | 45–75 min on-site | £95–£150 |
| Full property CCTV survey (all drains) | 1.5–3 hrs on-site | £180–£350 |
| Pre-purchase conveyancing drain survey | 1.5–2.5 hrs on-site | £220–£380 |
| Insurance claim CCTV report | 1–2 hrs on-site | £180–£300 |
| CCTV survey + drain jetting (combined) | 2–3 hrs | £220–£450 |
| Emergency CCTV survey (same day) | On-site within 4 hrs | £150–£250 |
| Video footage on USB / digital download | Included | Included |
| Written defect report (PDF, GPS-located) | Within 24 hrs | Included |
All surveys include written PDF report with GPS-located defects and video footage. No call-out fee. 7 days a week.
CCTV Drain Surveys Across All London Boroughs
CCTV Drain Survey FAQs
How much does a CCTV drain survey cost in London?
Single drain survey with written report: £95–£150. Full-property survey: £180–£350. Pre-purchase conveyancing survey: £220–£380. All include video footage and written defect report within 24 hours.
What does a CCTV drain survey show?
Blockages, pipe cracks and fractures, displaced joints, tree root ingress, collapsed sections, scale and silt build-up, misconnected pipes, and general drain gradient and condition.
Do I need a CCTV drain survey when buying a house in London?
Strongly recommended for Victorian and Edwardian properties. Standard conveyancing doesn't cover private drain condition. Drain repair costs run £500–£20,000. Finding a collapsed section before exchange gives renegotiation leverage.
Can a CCTV drain survey be used for an insurance claim?
Yes — our reports include photos, video footage, GPS-located defect positions, and written condition assessment accepted by UK home and buildings insurers and loss adjusters.
How long does a CCTV drain survey take?
Single drain: 30–60 minutes on-site. Full property: 1.5–3 hours. Written report within 24 hours. Same-day reports available on request.
What is the difference between a CCTV drain survey and drain jetting?
CCTV is inspection only — identifies problems. Jetting clears blockages. We often combine both: jet first to clear, then camera to confirm clear condition and assess structural state. Found structural defects are quoted for repair separately.
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