Getting a CCTV drains survey

DemonicKat

I have been advised by my structural engineer to get a drainage survey done on the property I am about to purchase

Can anyone recommend one that is cheap (my structural surveyor reckoned it would cost between £90 to £140 max.

Does anyone know what is involved and how long it will take to do?

Thanks

Doozergirl

They feed a camera on the end of a tube down through the manhole and watch what they see on a screen. Takes less than half an hour.

If you're really lucky, they give you video of it :rolleyes: but you definately get a report explaining what they've seen and a little map of your drainage.

I'd phone around a few and see what you get offered. Then see if anyone can beat the best price you get. We just use a friendly local company if we need to do one.

RufusFrog_2

Are you sure you really need this? How was the 'advice' pitched? Was it just a case of 'unable to ascertain the state of the drains so suggest a cctv survey' or more in the realms of 'clear evidence of foul water backing up so a cctv survey is essential to locate the blockage'. Surveyors love to recommend you get extra surveys done on the bits they can't actually see (this is mainly to avoid you suing them if there later turns out to be a problem) - but if they haven't noticed any evidence of a blockage or collapse it may be a waste of money.

Canucklehead

Good morning: Several years ago the OH (Corgi Guy) and I bought a Victorian property...didn't check out the drains:o ...went out one morning to discover a large puddle....OH rodded the drain but to no avail...had camera survey done (we still have the video!) and discovered the drain had collapsed...spent the next day digging it out by hand then OH replaced...only cost us our time and a few hundred pounds for materials but any one else could have spent a few thousand...needless to say we learned our lesson and will spend a few quid to save thousands more (and results of the survey could help you negotiate a price reduction) Please be advised that you are responsible for maintaining the drains up to the connectin with the main sewer.

Good luck.

Canucklehead

clutton_2

if there is a tree nearby, you can claim drain replacement on your household insurance if it seems that tree roots are the cause

itn

hi, ive just had this done a few weeks ago. Ive had a rear extension built and seven trent water wants to know where their pipes sewer pipes are in location to my extension. Apparently if you build within 3m you need their permission.

Anyways i used a company called servorod, charged me £90 plus vat, and guy came out checked condition of pipes, took bout 45 mins as I had a couple of drains checked etc.

They have sent me a report telling you condion of pipes at joins etc, and they give a reccomendation whether they think it may need replacing, they also sent me a DVD of this.

I have now forwarded this to seven trent along with a cheque for £256 jut to get their approval.

regards

mohammad