CCTV Drain Surveys — Written Report & Footage Included
A camera doesn't guess. It shows you exactly what's in your drains — cracks, root intrusion, displaced joints, blockages, and pipe collapse — with footage and a written report you can act on.
Your Local Drainage is based in Bournemouth and carries out CCTV drain surveys for homeowners, landlords, property buyers, and commercial clients across England and Wales — for anything from a pre-purchase inspection to an investigation of a recurring blockage.
What a CCTV Drain Survey Involves
A CCTV drain survey passes a camera mounted on a flexible rod or crawler through your drainage pipework. The camera transmits live footage of the pipe interior — the whole length, from access point to the end of the run.
We record the footage, note the location and condition of any defects, and produce a written report. You get the footage and the report — not a verbal summary.
What the survey covers :
Full accessible length of the drain run
Cracks, fractures, displaced joints, pipe deformation
Root intrusion — location, severity, and extent
Build-up and blockages
Pipe gradient — sagging sections and low points where material accumulates
Structural collapse or partial collapse
Condition of inspection chamber walls and benching
When a CCTV Survey Is the Right Step
Before buying a property
The drainage system is one of the most expensive things to repair in a house — and a standard homebuyer survey doesn't look inside the pipes. A pre-purchase drain survey gives you footage and a written report before you exchange. If there's a problem, you know before you're committed.
When a drain keeps blocking
A blockage that clears and comes back is usually a structural problem — a cracked pipe, root intrusion, a sagging section, or a joint that's pulled apart. A CCTV survey tells you what's actually causing it.
After tree root removal
A CCTV survey after root removal confirms whether the pipe needs relining or replacement, or whether the clearance is sufficient.
To support an insurance claim
Many insurers require documented evidence of drain condition. A CCTV survey report with footage provides exactly that.
Before drain repairs or relining
We carry out a CCTV survey before any repair work to confirm the exact location and nature of the defect.
For commercial property maintenance
Planned inspection programmes for commercial properties and landlord portfolios identify developing problems before they become emergency callouts.
What the Report Includes
Every CCTV survey produces a written report and recorded footage. This is a documented record you can keep, share with a solicitor, submit to an insurer, or use to get quotes for repair work.
The report includes :
Written description of each defect found, with pipe location reference
Condition grading for each section inspected
Recommendations — repair, reline, monitor, or no action required
Footage recorded for the full survey run
Homebuyer Drain Surveys — Before You Exchange
Buying a property is one of the largest financial commitments most people make. A homebuyer drain survey closes the gap that a standard survey leaves open.
We produce a written report with footage that you, your solicitor, or your mortgage lender can use. If the survey finds a problem, you have options — renegotiate on price, request a repair before exchange, or make an informed decision about whether to proceed.
Coverage
We're based in Bournemouth and cover a wide area across England and Wales.
Core Areas
Emergency & Planned Work
Dorset - BH, DT
Hampshire - SO, PO
Wiltshire - SP, SN, BA
Somerset- BA, TA
Berkshire - RG, SL
Extended Area
Emergency & Planned Work
Oxfordshire - OX
Surrey - GU, RH
West Sussex - PO, BN
Devon - EX
Monmouthshire - NP
Warwickshire - CV
South Wales - NP, CF
Buckinghamshire - MK, HP
Worcestershire - WR
Cheshire - SK, CW
Further Reach
Planned Work
Gloucestershire - GL
Herefordshire - HR
East Sussex - BN, TN
Northamptonshire - NN
Bedfordshire - LU, MK
Hertfordshire - AL, WD
Gtr Manchester - M, SK
Merseyside - L, CH
Not sure if you're covered?
Call 0330 128 1329 with your postcode — we'll tell you straight away.
FAQS
Drain Unblocking — Common Questions
How much does a CCTV drain survey cost?
How long does a CCTV drain survey take?
Most residential surveys take between 45 minutes and 2 hours depending on the length of the drain run and the number of access points. We'll give you a realistic time estimate when you book.
Do I need to be present for the survey?
You don't need to be present for the external drainage survey. For pre-purchase surveys on properties you haven't moved into, we can arrange access through the estate agent.
Will the survey report be accepted by my solicitor or insurer?
Yes. Our survey reports are produced to a professional standard and include written condition grading, defect descriptions, pipe location references, and recorded footage — suitable for property transactions, insurance claims, and planning applications.
What happens if the survey finds a problem?
We describe exactly what we found, where it is, and what we recommend. If repair or relining is needed, we can quote for that work. If the problem is minor and monitoring is sufficient, we'll say so. We don't manufacture urgency.
Can a CCTV survey detect all types of drain problems?
A CCTV survey is the most comprehensive way to inspect the inside of a drain. It identifies cracks, root intrusion, displaced joints, pipe collapse, build-up, and gradient issues — everything visible inside the run.