What is a CCTV drain survey, and what does it show?

The short answer

A CCTV drain survey feeds a camera through your drain and records what it sees. The footage shows cracks, roots, joints that have moved and blockages. It turns a guess into a clear picture, because you can see what needs fixing.

How a survey works

An engineer puts a waterproof camera into the drain at an access point, such as a manhole. The camera moves along the pipe while it records. The engineer then notes each defect and where it sits on the run.

Most home surveys need one visit, although longer runs with many branches take more time. Our CCTV drain survey service covers both existing faults and checks before a purchase.

What a survey can show

A camera can find a fault before it causes a smell or a blockage, so it can save you a messy surprise.

• Roots. They enter through joints and narrow the pipe.
• Displaced joints. Pipe sections slip apart and let silt in.
• Cracks and breaks. These range from fine lines to full collapse.
• Build-up. Fat and scale reduce the bore of the pipe.
• Poor falls. Water sits in a low spot and collects debris.

Because the camera records as it goes, you can see where the fault is. That helps you plan a repair without digging more than you need.

Understanding the report

Reports often grade each defect with a recognised coding system. In the UK, many surveyors use the WRc coding manual for sewer condition. Ask your surveyor which standard they use. A clear code makes reports easier to compare.

A good report includes footage and a written summary. It should also include a plan that marks each defect. That plan matters when you need to know whose pipe is at fault. Our guide to who is responsible for a blocked drain explains the boundary rules.

What a survey costs

Prices vary with the length of the run, access and the report you want. While every job differs, MyJobQuote gives a range of £90 to £500 for drain surveys. KIKK Civil Engineering gives £150 to £350 for a domestic survey. Our guide to CCTV drain survey costs sets out both sources.

These are guides, not our prices. Use the request form for a quote for your own drain.

What to ask before you book

Ask what the price includes. Some quotes cover jetting first, and some do not. MyJobQuote says cleaning a drain before the survey can add to the cost. Ask whether you get footage and a written report, and how soon you will receive them.

When a survey pays off

A survey is rarely a treat. It earns its keep in a few cases.

1. Before you buy. A pre-purchase CCTV survey checks the drains before you commit. Our guide to why buyers should check the drains explains the reasons.
2. A blockage that returns. If the same spot blocks again, a camera finds the cause. See why drains block for the common reasons.
3. Water outside. A gully that overflows often points to a fault below ground, and our guide to a blocked drain outside the house covers the checks.
4. Before building work. A refit can disturb drains, so the bathroom fitting cost guide is worth reading first.

A survey and your other plumbing

A camera cannot see leaks inside walls, so it sits alongside other checks. Our notes on boiler pressure cover the heating side. For shops, offices and rented homes, see commercial plumbing in Northampton, because planned checks suit them.

Ask any firm about its call-out charges before you book. Our guide to emergency plumber costs shows the typical ranges, while our guide on how to choose a plumber lists the questions to ask.

Frequently asked questions

Do I get the footage and a report?

A proper survey should leave you with recorded footage and a written report. Ask for both before you book, since some quotes cover only a verbal summary.

Does a survey unblock the drain?

No. A survey finds the cause, although it does not clear it. If the drain needs clearing, our blocked drains service can help.

How long does a survey take?

Many home surveys take an hour or two, but long or complex runs take more time. Ask the engineer for an estimate, because access changes it.

Book a survey

Use the online form to describe the property and the problem. You can also browse all our services or the areas we cover. Add your town and a short description, because that helps an engineer get back to you.

In Northampton, see plumbers in Northampton. Around Kettering, see plumbers in Kettering. Near Bedford, see plumbers in Bedford. In Milton Keynes, see plumbers in Milton Keynes. Near Kempston, see plumbers in Kempston. Coverage differs by area, so check the page for yours.