| CCTV drains surveys involve inserting a | | | | of the linking pipes. |
| small-scale CCTV camera into your drains | | | | |
| system to discover any problems that are | | | | - Stagnant water lying in the drainage canal |
| obscured from sight above ground. These days | | | | instead of flowing through the system. In |
| small, good quality CCTV cameras are | | | | particular if you see dark and possibly |
| inexpensive and have allowed the price of a | | | | putrid water then there is almost certainly |
| CCTV survey to be within the reach of most | | | | an obstruction |
| homeowners. These surveys can be used as part | | | | |
| of a preventative maintenance programme or to | | | | - Signs of debris in the channel, whilst this |
| discover existing issues without requiring a | | | | may have come from part of the drain |
| hole to be dug. CCTV surveys of drains, | | | | up-stream from your location it will indicate |
| pipes, and sewers can also provide an | | | | the general state of disrepair of the drains |
| accurate, visual and cost effective means to | | | | |
| spot any drains issues, observe the source of | | | | If you have any worries following your drain |
| the problem and help to establish the most | | | | inspection it may be worthwhile contacting a |
| economic repair options. | | | | drainage specialist to conduct a thorough |
| | | | CCTV drain survey to prove the true cause of |
| Drains degrade over time | | | | the problem. |
| | | | |
| Whilst drainage systems are underground and | | | | What are the benefits of CCTV Surveys? |
| out of sight they should not be ignored. One | | | | |
| of most serious drainage issues that can | | | | A CCTV appraisal can be executed with little |
| impact all types of home is that posed by | | | | fuss and disturbance but they rapidly |
| leaking drains. Over time drains and sewerage | | | | establish the facts. A CCTV survey requires |
| systems can degenerate leading to structural | | | | sending a TV camera into the your sewer and |
| problems through wall cave in or ingress from | | | | making a video recording of what it sees. A |
| plant roots / builders shovels. With the | | | | CCTV survey will not check that drainage is |
| passage of time this will lead to a greater | | | | watertight or leaky, however it will |
| problem which will manifest itself on the | | | | establish and locate regions of damage or |
| surface with flooding. The homeowner can | | | | blockage. Critiquing the CCTV survey the |
| visually inspect most drains fairly easily if | | | | drainage engineer will be able to pinpoint |
| there are satisfactory inspection chambers, | | | | the troublesome area without the need for |
| and if they are not blocked off. At this | | | | costly exploratory holes in the ground. At |
| point in time you should to assess the | | | | this point a repair programme can be set up |
| inspection chambers in your property, are | | | | and whilst a hole may need to be dug it will |
| they easily accessed or has someone put up a | | | | be at the precise location of the trouble |
| fence panel or small wall across one? | | | | thereby minimising subsequent costs and |
| | | | disturbance. |
| Visual Drain Inspections by the Homeowner | | | | |
| | | | Many commercial enterprises are now utilising |
| Inspecting your drains merely involves | | | | drain surveys as part of a regular |
| raising manhole covers and running water | | | | maintenance plan. In these cases the survey |
| through the drains from the taps inside your | | | | might not show any problems at all. This is |
| home, you should then see the water running | | | | not a bad outcome and affords the business |
| throughout the drainage system. This can be | | | | proprietor the confidence that they will not |
| carried out by any able DIY practician with | | | | be facing a surprise bill in time to come. |
| care, take care of your back and feet when | | | | They can also be satisfied that t they will |
| opening up a drain cover and see to it that | | | | not be contravening any laws should a |
| nothing falls in, including toys or your | | | | blockage lead to flooding of their business |
| tools. Anyone with very old drains systems | | | | premises or contamination of their goods for |
| should note that drains built many years ago | | | | sale. |
| may not have inspection chambers and your | | | | |
| only way of seeing inside the drainage system | | | | CCTV images can also be gathered after a |
| will be via a small camera. | | | | repair has been completed. If your drainage |
| | | | contractor offers this as part of their |
| Look in the chamber, if any of the following | | | | service you will be able to see the results |
| examples can be seen then there may be a | | | | of their work and have the confidence of a |
| cause for concern: - | | | | job well done before you make that final |
| | | | payment. |
| - Tree roots growing in the chamber and any | | | | |