CCTV Drain Surveys explained
A CCTV drain survey sends a small camera along the pipe and records what it finds. The footage shows cracks, roots, shifted joints, silt and collapsed sections. You see the real state of the drain without digging, because the camera does the looking.
People order surveys for three main reasons. Some buy a home and want to know what lies below it. Others have repeat blocks, damp patches or smells, while a few need evidence for an insurer or a neighbour.
What a survey shows
The camera travels through manholes and inspection chambers, so it needs access points. The operator records the run and notes each defect. A good report ties each defect to a place on the drain, since a defect with no location is hard to fix.
- Cracks, fractures and shifted joints
- Tree roots that have entered the pipe
- Silt, scale and grease build-up
- Sagging sections where water pools
- Collapsed or squashed pipe
Ask what the report will include before you book, since formats differ. Useful reports have footage, a drain plan and a clear list of defects. Some use the MSCC5 grading scheme, so ask whether yours does.
Two kinds of survey
A pre-purchase drain survey checks the whole drain run before you buy. It gives you facts to use in price talks. Read that page if you are mid-purchase, and see the home buyer guide too.
A drainage investigation starts from a symptom, such as a repeat block or a damp patch. The operator follows the pipe until the fault appears, since the symptom points to where to look.
Typical UK costs for a CCTV drain survey
These are typical UK ranges from national guides, not York quotes. The two guides use different scopes, so each figure names its source. Quoted prices usually cover the inspection and the report only, while repairs are a separate job.
| Survey | Typical UK range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| All scopes | £90 to £500 | MyJobQuote |
| Average survey | About £250 | MyJobQuote |
| Pre-purchase survey | £250 to £350 | MyJobQuote |
| All scopes | £150 to £500 or more, plus VAT | Survey Match |
| Two or three bedrooms | £200 to £350, plus VAT | Survey Match |
Ask for a written quote before work starts, and ask what the price includes. Ask whether the price covers the report as well as the footage.
After the survey
The report may show a drain in good shape, or it may show defects. Minor defects can wait, while serious ones need repair. If you need repairs, read about drain repairs and compare relining with digging.
CCTV Drain Surveys guides
Pre-Purchase Drain Survey
A drain survey before you buy shows defects that stay hidden underground. Buyers use the report in price talks. This page explains what to ask for.Drainage Investigation
A drainage investigation traces the cause of repeat blocks, damp or smells. Clearing alone does not find it. This page explains how a camera finds the fault.Local pages for this service
Local pages explain surveys for each town on the list. Start with CCTV drain surveys in York, which is the main page. If you are further out, see drain camera survey in Bishopthorpe or drain survey advice for Strensall. Each of those pages links back here.
Ask for help
Use the request form at the top of the page. Say what the problem is, where it sits and whether it is urgent, so the engineer can plan. Then ask for a written quote before work starts.
Go to the request formCCTV Drain Surveys questions answered
What is a CCTV drain survey and how does it work?
An operator feeds a camera along the drain through a manhole or access point. The camera records the pipe as it goes, while the operator watches a screen. You then get the footage and, if you ask for it, a written report.
How much does a drain survey cost?
MyJobQuote gives £90 to £500 for surveys of all kinds, with an average of about £250. Survey Match gives £200 to £350 plus VAT for a two or three bedroom home. Ask what the price includes before you agree.
Do I need a drain survey when buying a house in York?
A survey is optional, yet buyers often order one for an older home, or when large trees stand close to the drains. A 2008 City of York Council survey found 17.9% of private-sector homes were built before 1919. The report gives you facts to use before you exchange contracts.
What should a survey report include?
Look for the footage, a drain plan and a list of defects with their place on the drain. Some reports grade defects to the MSCC5 scheme. Ask before you book, since formats differ.
Can a survey find why a drain keeps blocking?
Often, yes. The camera can show roots, a sag, a shifted joint or build-up that a quick clear misses. Ask for a drainage investigation if the block keeps returning.