CCTV drain survey?

Colliewobble_2 · 2 November 2009 at 7:24PM

Hi all,

You've been more than helpful in the past advising me on my recent housebuyers report. This is my first housebuying experience and I'm very 'green'.

Just wondering if any of you can help me with the last 'sticking point'.

Survey said drains were slightly higher than usual - but that this could be down to the age of the house and recommended I get a CCTV survey of drains to be on the safe side.

Just after your thoughts on whether this is just a 'standard thing' or whether it should be looked into.

Nobody I have spoken to has ever had a drain survey when buying a house and the EAs have said they've never known a problem in the area.

Look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Many thanks,

C

27col · 2 November 2009 at 8:43PM

It seems a bit vague. What the hell are they talking about. What does "slightly higher than usual" mean. Most of these homebuyers reports are just trying to justify themselves.
They seem to have a degree in stating the bl*****g obvious. Although in this case, it is not obvious. If the drains are working ok, that surely, is all you can expect. If a drain is working, why would you want pay extra for a cctv check as well. Perhaps you should ask the surveyor person.

ukmaggie45 · 2 November 2009 at 9:21PM

We had a drain survey as advised by our surveyor (due to large number of trees on the site), it found roots growing into the drain. Would have meant digging up the patio and spending around £1000 to get fixed. We withdrew our offer (there were other concerns as well, but the drains was the last straw). Vendor had said there were no problems with the drains, and so far as they were aware it probably appeared that way. But would only have been a matter of time before there really were problems.

Good luck with finding someone to do the survey should you decide to go for it.

Maggie

Edit: is it an old house? Just wondered since your surveyor said it might be due to the age of the house. And I wouldn't necessarily expect the EA to know if there was a problem in the area, especially since most folks don't get CCTV tests done.

Colliewobble_2 · 2 November 2009 at 11:18PM

Hi

Thanks for your replies.

The actual report says that the inspection chamber was observed to have 'matter' (yuk!!) and standing water at time of inspection.

It adds that this could be due to the shallower falls to which drainage systems were laid at time of build (1930s) or could be blockage....

There are no big trees on or around the site, thoguh there are trees in neighbouring gardens.

Thanks again.

Baalmaiden · 16 November 2009 at 9:36PM

We had problems with our drains overflowing and had a camera put down by the local council - it was quite interesting watching it on the computer screen! It found that kids had been putting stuff down the storm drains and blocking the 6 inch pipe. As we were the lowest point, we had the overflow. A warning letter to all the houses on the estate from the council solved the problem. You might just need it clearing by the chaps with the bright orange vans!

key_mel · 7 January 2010 at 11:51AM

Speaking of drains, the buyers of my property have just had a homebuyers survey done on my property and the only concern raised is about the drainage. The surveyor advised that they should have a specialist drainage contractor report on the drains condition. Who would be expected to pay for this extra survey, the estate agents suggest I should as seller? Any ideas?

ormus · 7 January 2010 at 12:43PM

tell them to pay, and you will reimburse any expense incurred when the contracts are exchanged. (up to say a 500 limit).

keystone · 7 January 2010 at 1:00PM

More surveyors applying the CYA principle!! From the first post I get the impression that the surveyor is suggesting to the potential purchaser that they arrange for a survey not that the vendor gets a survey done. The EA is talking nonsense IMHO - he just wants to collect his commission asap. The purchaser has paid for a housebuyers report why should you pick up the tab for its recommends? Either they want to go ahead or not.

Ormus' suggestion has merit if you are desperate to sell.

Cheers

Debt_Free_Chick · 7 January 2010 at 1:01PM

Colliewobble wrote: »

Hi

Thanks for your replies.

The actual report says that the inspection chamber was observed to have 'matter' (yuk!!) and standing water at time of inspection.

It adds that this could be due to the shallower falls to which drainage systems were laid at time of build (1930s) or could be blockage....

There are no big trees on or around the site, thoguh there are trees in neighbouring gardens.

OK - it sounds as though the drain is "backing up" i.e. that the outflow is not draining away. That could be for a number of reasons, but a blockage is the usual answer. If the blockage is in within the property you're buying, then you're "buying" that problem from the seller. So a survey would give you peace of mind - either that the blockage is not on the property you're buying or that it is and you then have a chance to negotiate a remedy with the seller.

it's your choice. If you don't get a survey, then you could inherit an expensive drain repair. And your insurance may not cover it, especially if you ignored advice to get a survey.

keystone · 7 January 2010 at 1:07PM

Debt_Free_Chick wrote: »

OK - it sounds as though the drain is "backing up" i.e. that the outflow is not draining away.

snip, snip, snip

And your insurance may not cover it, especially if you ignored advice to get a survey.

DFC has just amply and innocently illustrated the dangers of resurrecting an old thread to introduce a similar but different subject.

Cheers

Debt_Free_Chick · 7 January 2010 at 1:13PM

Note to self: Read the thread, the whole thread and nothing but the whole thread

CCTV drain survey?

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