What you need to know
A CCTV drain survey is the gold standard for diagnosing drainage problems. Using high-definition waterproof cameras, we inspect the full length of your drainage system from the inside — identifying cracks, blockages, root ingress, collapsed sections and joint displacement without any excavation. For most properties it's the only realistic way to see what's actually going on underground.
The camera captures real-time footage as it travels through your pipes, giving our engineers a clear picture of the condition of every accessible run. Every defect is logged using the industry-standard MSCC5/WRc coding system, so the report is recognised by insurers, solicitors, Building Control and water companies alike. You receive a comprehensive written report with screenshots, full video footage and plain-English recommendations — not a 40-page document of jargon.
Most surveys are booked for one of three reasons: a recurring or unexplained drainage problem (slow drains, gurgling, smell, damp), a property purchase where the homebuyer or solicitor wants peace of mind before exchange, or a building project (extension, conversion, new boundary) where build-over consent or pre-existing-condition evidence is needed. Whatever the reason, the process is the same — we run a calibrated camera through every accessible drain run, log defects in real time, and put the findings into a report you can actually use.
We work right across Yorkshire — from the tight Victorian terraces of LS6 and BD8 where shared boundary drains and root intrusion from street trees dominate, to the limestone-belt properties of the Dales where rural drainage runs and septic-tank tie-ins are the norm. The kit and the report don't change, but the things we're looking for absolutely do, and a generic survey from a national firm rarely picks up the regional patterns. That's where local experience pays off.
If you're weighing up whether a survey is worth it, the rule of thumb we offer is this: if you'd struggle to write a four-figure cheque for an unexpected drainage repair after completing on a house, a CCTV survey before exchange is almost always the right call. For owners with recurring problems, a one-off survey usually saves multiple repeat callouts from drain-clearance teams who can only treat the symptom.
Full CCTV Survey Package
HD Camera Inspection
State-of-the-art waterproof push-rod and crawler cameras providing crystal-clear footage of your entire drainage system.
Full Drainage Map
Complete mapping of your drainage layout showing pipe routes, connections, and access points — drawn over your title plan where helpful.
MSCC5 Defect Coding
Industry-standard WRc defect classification used by insurers, solicitors, Building Control and water companies.
Written Report
Detailed condition report with defect descriptions, severity ratings, location measurements and recommended actions — in plain English.
Footage Included
Full HD video footage of the inspection provided digitally for your records. Yours to keep and share with solicitors, insurers or contractors.
Same-Day Turnaround
Fast results when you need them — same-day survey and reporting available where possible, ideal for tight exchange deadlines.
Root & Defect Location
Above-ground tracing of significant defects (e.g. root ingress points or partial collapses) so any future excavation goes straight to the issue.
Pre/Post Cleaning
Where a drain is too restricted to camera meaningfully, we'll jet the line first and re-inspect to make sure the report reflects the true condition of the pipe.
Why Yorkshire Drain Survey
Experienced Engineers
Our drainage engineers have years of experience surveying residential and commercial properties across every Yorkshire postcode — from LS to YO to HU to S, plus the rural Dales.
Latest Equipment
We use the latest CCTV survey technology including push-rod cameras for residential lines and tracked crawler units for larger commercial pipes, with sonde-tracing for accurate location plotting.
Transparent Pricing
No hidden extras, no call-out fees, no fuel surcharges for rural addresses. We'll give you a clear fixed price before we arrive — just call or fill in the form.
MSCC5-Compliant Reporting
All defects are coded against the Manual of Sewer Condition Classification (5th edition). That's the standard your solicitor, insurer or Building Control officer will already recognise.
Same-Day Capability
Most enquiries get a survey slot the same week, and we routinely turn round surveys booked before midday with a written report on the same day — useful when you're trying to keep an exchange date.
Frequently Asked Questions
A CCTV drain survey involves inserting a specialist waterproof camera into your drainage system to inspect its condition from the inside. The camera records high-definition footage as it travels through the pipes, allowing our engineers to identify blockages, cracks, root ingress, collapsed sections, and other defects without any digging. We code every defect against the MSCC5 standard so the report is usable by your solicitor, insurer or builder.
Most residential CCTV drain surveys take between 1-2 hours depending on the size and complexity of the drainage system. Properties with multiple access points or unusually long runs may take a little longer. Commercial sites with extensive networks can run to half a day. We aim to provide your written report on the same day wherever possible.
No — that's the whole point. CCTV drain surveys are completely non-invasive. The camera is inserted through existing access points like manholes, inspection chambers, drain covers and rodding eyes. No excavation is required. If our survey then identifies a defect that does need excavation, we'll show you exactly where on a map so any future dig is targeted rather than exploratory.
CCTV surveys can identify blockages (fat, scale, debris), tree root ingress, cracked or broken pipes, joint displacement, collapsed drains, scale build-up, incorrect connections, surcharging, mis-aligned bends, and structural defects. It's the most comprehensive way to assess drainage condition without exposing the pipe.
A residential survey covers a single-property inspection with a full written report. Larger sites, commercial premises, or surveys requiring extensive cleaning before inspection are priced individually. We always provide a clear fixed-price quote before any work starts — no call-out fees, no fuel surcharges.
Yes. Our reports use MSCC5 (WRc) defect coding, which is the standard recognised by UK mortgage lenders, insurers and Building Control. The report includes screenshots, video footage, defect locations measured from access points, and a structured defect schedule — everything a lender, solicitor or surveyor needs.
Not necessarily — if you can give us access to the relevant manhole or inspection chambers (front, back or side of the property), we can carry out the survey unattended and email the report. For homebuyer surveys we often work with the seller's agent or current owner to arrange access on your behalf.
Yes. You receive the full video footage digitally along with your written report, drainage map, and defect schedule. The footage is yours to keep and share with solicitors, insurers, water companies or contractors. We hold a copy for our records too in case you need anything reissued later.
We'll attempt to clear the line first with high-pressure jetting (charged separately if it's a significant job, with your approval before we start). Once the run is clear we'll camera it properly so the report reflects the true pipe condition rather than just confirming there was a blockage. If a section is genuinely collapsed and impassable, we'll measure exactly how far the camera got and where the obstruction is, which is enough information to plan a targeted repair.
No — the water company holds records of the public sewer network, but your private drainage (everything between your house and the boundary, and often beyond) is your responsibility and isn't on those plans. A CCTV survey actually inspects what's there rather than relying on records that may be decades out of date or incomplete for shared/lateral drains.
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