If you are buying a home in the next few years, there are some things you need to consider before moving in. One of those things is whether or not your drains are working correctly. If you don’t do a CCTV drain survey, you could pay thousands of pounds for repairs down the road.
A CCTV drain survey is essential to any home purchase because it reveals potential issues with your drainage system. This includes blocked sewers, burst pipes, leaky taps, and wall cracks. These issues can cause flooding, water damage, and even structural damage. They can also lead to expensive repair bills.
So how does a CCTV drain survey work? Well, we use a camera to take photos of your drainage system. We’ll then send our engineers to your property to inspect the images. Once they’ve done this, they’ll tell you what needs to be repaired and give you a quote.
CCTV drain surveys can be used to check any issues with your drainage system. They can spot potential blockages, leaks and cracks in pipes. If you notice any signs of water damage, it could mean something is wrong with your drainage system. You might find that your home insurance only covers repairs caused by blocked drains.
A CCTV drain survey will allow you to determine where the problem lies. This way, you can pinpoint the exact location of the issue and fix it quickly and easily.
What is a pre-purchase drain inspection?
A pre-purchase drain inspection is a drain inspection that is performed before you buy a house. A professional plumbing contractor typically does this type of drain inspection. They will look into the property’s drainage system to ensure it is working correctly. If anything needs repair, they will fix it before you move in.
CCTV Drain Surveys: How Do They Work?
CCTV drain surveys are usually carried over during the winter due to the cold weather conditions. They are generally recommended after heavy rainfall events, such as those experienced during summer.
The camera used in a CCTV drain survey is attached to a pole or tripod. The camera is aimed towards the bottom of the pipe and records footage every few seconds. When the video is complete, the inspector reviews the footage and identifies any areas of concern.
Would I benefit from a drainage survey?
A drainage survey is a must if you’re buying a new home or selling an existing one. If you’ve been living in your current house for a while, it might be worth getting a drain inspection done to ensure everything works correctly.
If you’re planning to buy a new property, you’ll want to know about any potential problems with the drains. You want to avoid finding out later that there’s something wrong with your plumbing system.
You can do a lot of research online, but a professional drain survey will give you a better idea of what’s happening under your sink.
When buying a new property, it is essential to understand what you are getting into. There are many things to consider when purchasing a house, including location, size, and how much maintenance work needs to be done. However, one thing that most people overlook is drainage.
The best way to determine whether your new home needs a CCTV drain survey is to call up a professional drain survey team. They will come to your home and carry out a thorough inspection. This will include checking the drains themselves and looking around outside the property to see if there are any signs of flooding.
If you decide to go ahead with a CCTV drain survey, make sure you choose a reputable company. You want someone who knows exactly what they are doing and won’t charge you too much.
What do pre-purchase drainage surveys or ‘inspections’ look for?
A pre-purchase drain inspection is a property inspection that looks for problems before buying a home. These types of inspections are often performed by contractors specialising in plumbing systems. They are generally used to identify potential water leaks or flooding issues.
Reasons You Need a CCTV Drain Survey When Buying a New House
A CCTV drain survey is one of those things that most homeowners need to consider when buying a new house. But there are several reasons why you should do it anyway. Here are five of them:
- Water Leaks
Water leaks happen all too often. Problems with the plumbing, such as worn pipes or loose connections, usually cause them. If you find yourself with a leaky roof, you’ll need to fix it immediately. Otherwise, you could spend thousands of dollars fixing a problem you didn’t even know existed.
- Flooding
Flooding is another common issue that plumbers encounter. It happens because of broken sewer lines, blocked storm drains, or faulty sump pumps. In some cases, flooding can be avoided altogether if you take care of the underlying cause.
- Sewer Backup
If you live near a body of water, like a lake or river, you’ll probably experience sewage backup at least once. This is especially true during heavy rainstorms. Even though it’s rare, sewer backups can be dangerous. They can lead to serious health risks, including Legionnaires’ disease, E. coli poisoning, and even death.
- Save Money
A CCTV drain survey will allow you to know what issues you could face down the road. For example, if you notice water leaking into the basement, you’ll want to fix it before you move in. By doing a CCTV drain survey now, you won’t have to pay for repairs later.
- Get Peace of Mind
If you do end up needing to make repairs, you’ll know exactly where the problem lies. With a CCTV drain survey, you’ll be able to pinpoint the exact location of the leak. This way, you’ll know how much work needs to be done.
Negotiation Tool
A pre-purchase drain inspection helps you negotiate better terms with home sellers. You’ll know what problems are hiding behind walls and floors, allowing you to ask questions about repairs and make sure you only pay a little for a house.
A drain survey is a tool to negotiate offers for real estate purchases. A drain survey is a visual inspection of the drainage system in a home. This allows a buyer to see how well it drains water away from the foundation. If there is a problem with the drainage system, it could cause flooding problems.
The seller wants to avoid paying for repairs to fix the drainage issue. So, they want to ensure that the buyer knows about the problem. This gives them leverage during negotiations.
If the seller has already had a contractor inspect the property, they might ask the buyer to do another inspection. This lets the seller know that the buyer is serious about buying the house.
Negotiating a lower price is possible if there are significant drainage problems.
How Does a CCTV Drain Survey Detect Problems?
A CCTV drain survey is an essential part of maintaining your property. This inspection is used to identify potential issues with your drainage systems. If you notice anything unusual about your drains, it could indicate a problem that needs fixing.
The following are some common problems that can be spotted during a CCTV drain survey:
- Leaks
Leaks are one of the most apparent signs of a drainage issue. They can happen anywhere along the drainage system, including pipes, pumps, utility holes, and catch basins. You might see water seeping into cracks around doors, windows, walls, or even outside your home. These leaks can lead to significant flooding if left untreated.
- Blockages
Blockages are another common problem that occurs with drainage systems. They can occur in pipes, pumps, maintenance hole covers, or catch basins. When blockages occur, they prevent water from flowing freely throughout your property. Over time, this can cause severe damage to your drainage system.
Do I legally need to get a pre-purchase drain inspection?
A standard home inspection only sometimes includes everything about a property. To make sure you get everything necessary.
If you’re buying a new house, ask your lender what he requires. He might want a full inspection or just a drain inspection. Ask him why. You’ll know whether you need to pay extra for a drain inspection.
How long does the pre-purchase survey or ‘inspection’ take?
A pre-purchase inspection is one of the most critical steps in buying a property. This is where you meet the seller face-to-face to inspect the house and discuss what needs to be done to make it suitable for you. You want to ensure that everything works correctly and that there are no hidden surprises.
How much does a pre-purchase drain inspection cost?
A drain inspection without a map costs around £250 plus VAT. A drain inspection with a mapping service costs around £450 plus VAT. If you want to know how much it will cost, we recommend calling our team now. We’ll send out a survey to determine the type of property you’re buying and where the drains are. Then, we’ll give you a quote based on those findings. You’ll receive a detailed report within 24 hours.
A verbal report will likely be less expensive than a written or video report. Depending on the type of survey needed, prices vary. A written notice will typically contain a drain map and a visual inspection of the drainage system. A video report will often include footage of the drains being inspected.
