Our Services

Drain CCTV Survey

A drain CCTV survey records the visible internal condition of a pipe using a camera. Deposits, roots, debris or water can restrict the view, and a CCTV survey cannot detect every defect. The report contents and any coding depend on the agreed specification. If you need a condition assessment for a property transaction, a pre-refurbishment check or a maintenance record, the scope should make clear what is being assessed and how the findings will be presented.

We can help with drainage surveys and CCTV drain inspections for domestic and commercial sites. The survey can cover foul, surface water and combined systems. Access arrangements matter: a survey may need manholes, inspection chambers or rodding eyes, and some pipes cannot be accessed without excavation or additional entry points.

Homebuyer Drain Survey

A homebuyer drain survey is usually a pre-purchase check of the drainage serving a property. It can record visible defects such as cracks, displaced joints, root ingress and blockages. The survey does not replace a structural survey or full building inspection. It focuses on the accessible drainage and what the camera can see at the time of the visit. We can help with homebuyer drain surveys where a buyer or their adviser wants a clearer picture before exchange.

Section 104 Adoption CCTV Survey

In England and Wales, Section 104 agreements are used for the adoption of new sewers by a sewerage undertaker. CCTV surveys may be required at stages of the adoption process to record the visible condition of the completed pipework. The adopting undertaker sets its requirements and may require remedial work before adoption. We can help with Section 104 adoption CCTV surveys for developers and contractors.

Drain Mapping and Dye Testing

Drain mapping records the layout of below-ground drainage, including pipe runs, manholes and connections. It is useful when drawings are missing, when extensions have changed the layout or when a connection is unclear. Dye testing traces the path of water through the system. It can help identify cross-connections, misconnections and where a particular pipe discharges. Dye testing does not replace a CCTV survey, and a CCTV survey does not always show flow direction clearly. The two methods are often used together. We can help with drain mapping and drain dye testing.

Commercial and Industrial Drain Surveys

Commercial and industrial drainage may carry trade effluent, process water, food waste or other site-specific flows. The survey specification should reflect the system and the question the site needs to answer. We can help with commercial drain surveys and surveys for industrial sites. Where work falls within the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997, entry should be avoided where possible and any unavoidable entry requires a suitable safe system of work and emergency arrangements.

Reports, Coding and Standards

Drain CCTV reports vary in detail. Some use a coding system such as MSCC5, while others use a written condition summary. The agreed specification should state the coding system, level of detail and whether drawings, photographs or video are required. We can help with CCTV drain survey reports and MSCC5 drain surveys where that standard is required.

Choosing the Right Survey

The right survey depends on the question you need to answer. A pre-purchase check, a build over application, an adoption submission and a maintenance investigation all need different specifications. Access, pipe size, depth and the presence of water or debris affect what can be achieved in a single visit. If you are unsure, start with the problem rather than the product name. We can help with surveys, mapping, dye testing and build over checks, and we can explain what each method can and cannot show. For general guidance, see our guides and information section.