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CCTV drain surveys across Chatham

Covering all ME postcodes including Rochester High Street, Walderslade, Rochester

Call us on 01634 123456
Home › Blocked Drains › CCTV Drain Survey

A CCTV drain survey uses a waterproof camera on a flexible cable to inspect the inside of your drains. It shows us cracks, collapses, tree root intrusion, bad joints, and anything else causing recurring blockages.

We'll feed the camera through the drain from a manhole, record the footage, and give you a report showing what's wrong and where. If you're buying a property in Chatham, a drain survey can save you thousands by finding problems before you complete.

No call-out fee when you book with us. We'll quote you a fixed price based on how much drain you need inspecting.

When You Need a Drain Survey

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Recurring blockages that keep coming back

If your drain blocks every few months even after jetting, there's an underlying problem. A camera survey will show whether it's tree roots, a collapsed section, a dip in the pipe, or a badly installed joint.

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Buying an older property in Chatham

Victorian and Edwardian properties around Rochester High Street, Gillingham High Street, and Military Road often have original clay drains that are cracked, tree-damaged, or partially collapsed. A survey before you buy lets you negotiate the price down or walk away if it's really bad.

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Smell of sewage but no obvious leak

If you can smell sewage in the garden or near the house but can't see a leak, there might be a cracked pipe leaking underground. A camera survey will find it.

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Planning an extension or building work

If you're building an extension, loft conversion, or putting up a garage, you need to know where the drains are so you don't build over them or damage them. A survey will map the drainage runs.

What We Check For

Cracks and fractures

We'll look for cracks in the pipe walls, often caused by ground movement, tree roots, or age. Small cracks let roots in and can eventually lead to collapse.

Collapsed or displaced sections

If a section of pipe has collapsed or shifted out of alignment, waste can't flow properly and the drain will block repeatedly. The only fix is excavating and replacing the damaged section.

Tree root intrusion

Roots show up clearly on camera. We'll see how bad the intrusion is and advise whether jetting will clear it temporarily or whether you need the pipe replaced.

Bad joints and dips

Badly installed joints can leak or catch debris. Dips in the pipe (where it slopes the wrong way or sags) cause waste to collect and block. A survey shows exactly where these issues are.

How the Survey Works

1

Access the drain

We'll feed the camera into the drain from a manhole or inspection chamber. The camera is on a flexible cable with distance markers so we know exactly where we are in the pipe.

2

Record the footage

As we push the camera through, it records video showing the inside of the pipe. We'll see cracks, root intrusion, blockages, bad joints, and anything else. The camera has lights so we can see even in pitch-black pipes.

3

Review and report

We'll review the footage with you on site and point out any problems. If you need a written report (for a house purchase, insurance, or planning), we'll provide it with screenshots showing the defects and their locations.

4

Advise on repairs

If we find damage, we'll advise what needs doing and quote you for the repair. Minor issues might not need fixing immediately, but major cracks or collapses should be dealt with before they get worse.

CCTV Drain Survey Pricing

Upfront prices, no nasty surprises

We'll always tell you the cost before we start. These are typical price ranges, your exact quote depends on the job.

ServiceTypical Cost
CCTV survey (up to 30m)£150 – £200
CCTV survey (30-60m)£200 – £300
Survey report with imagesIncluded

All prices are estimated. Final costs depend on the specific job. We provide detailed quotes before starting work.

Common Questions

Got questions? Here's the quick answers.

How much does a CCTV drain survey cost in Chatham?
Surveying up to 30 metres of drain costs £150 to £200. Longer runs (30-60m) cost £200 to £300. The price includes a written report with images showing any defects. We'll quote you based on how much drain you need inspected.
How long does a drain survey take?
Most domestic drain surveys take 30 minutes to an hour. We'll feed the camera through, record the footage, and review it with you on site. If you want a detailed written report, we'll email that to you within a day or two.
Do I need a survey if I'm buying a house?
For older properties in Chatham (pre-1950s), yes. Victorian clay drains are often cracked, root-damaged, or partially collapsed. A survey before you buy lets you factor repair costs into your offer or walk away if it's a disaster. For newer properties (post-1980s), the drains are usually plastic and less likely to have issues, but a survey gives you peace of mind.
What happens if you find a problem?
We'll show you the footage and explain what's wrong. If it's a simple fix (clear some roots, replace a short section of pipe), we'll quote you there and then. If it's major (whole drain run needs replacing), we'll give you a written quote and you can decide whether to proceed.
Can you survey drains under buildings?
Yes, as long as there's an access point (manhole or inspection chamber) and the pipe's big enough for the camera (usually 100mm diameter or larger). We can survey drains under houses, driveways, patios, anywhere as long as we can access them.
Will you provide a report?
Yes, the survey includes a report showing what we found. We'll note any cracks, root intrusion, bad joints, dips, or collapses, and mark their location along the drain run. If you need it for a house purchase or insurance, we'll provide it in writing with photos from the camera.
Can you tell me where the drains are?
Yes, we can trace the drain run by feeding the camera through and noting where it goes. If you've lost your drainage plans or bought a property with no records, a survey will map the layout for you.
What if the drain's too blocked to get the camera through?
We'll clear the blockage first (by rodding or jetting), then run the camera through to see what caused it. If the drain's completely collapsed and we can't get a camera through, we'll locate the collapse by other means (sonde locator, test excavation) and quote you for repair.
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