What Is a CCTV Drain Survey and What Does It Do?

July 4, 2025

Rather than guessing where a blockage might be, the camera pinpoints its exact location

A CCTV monitor for a drain inspection

When drainage problems strike, whether it's a mysterious blockage, recurring bad smells, or unexplained damp patches, the traditional approach used to involve a lot of guesswork and potentially unnecessary excavation. Today, we have a much smarter solution: CCTV drain surveys.


Understanding CCTV Drain Surveys


A CCTV drain survey involves inserting a specially designed waterproof camera into your drainage system to provide a real-time visual inspection of the pipes. Think of it as giving your drains a thorough health check-up, but instead of a stethoscope, we're using cutting-edge camera technology.


The camera is mounted on a flexible rod that can navigate through the twists and turns of your drainage network, transmitting high-quality footage back to our engineers above ground. This footage is recorded, allowing us to review any issues in detail and provide you with a comprehensive report.


What Does a CCTV Survey Actually Do?

Identifies Hidden Problems 

The camera reveals issues that would otherwise remain invisible until they become major headaches. Cracked pipes, root intrusion, displaced joints, and partial collapses can all be spotted before they escalate into costly emergency repairs.


Locates Blockages Precisely 

Rather than guessing where a blockage might be, the camera pinpoints its exact location and shows us what's causing it. Whether it's a build-up of grease, foreign objects, or structural damage, we can see exactly what we're dealing with.

Maps Your Drainage System 

Many property owners don't actually know the layout of their drainage system. A CCTV survey creates a detailed map showing pipe routes, connection points, and access chambers – invaluable information for future maintenance or property modifications.


Assesses Pipe Condition 

The survey evaluates the overall health of your drainage system, identifying areas of concern before they fail completely. This preventative approach can save significant money in the long run.

When Should You Consider a CCTV Survey?


From our experience serving Essex, Kent, and London, we typically recommend surveys in several situations:

  • Recurring blockages that keep coming back despite clearing
  • Slow drainage that doesn't improve with standard cleaning
  • Bad smells emanating from drains
  • Property purchases to check the drainage system's condition
  • Insurance claims requiring evidence of drainage issues
  • Preventative maintenance for commercial properties

We often encounter situations where customers have tried multiple drain cleaning attempts, only to find the problem returns within weeks. A recent case involved a commercial kitchen experiencing persistent drainage issues. The CCTV footage showed tree root intrusion that had damaged their pipe structure – this would not have been discovered through conventional cleaning methods alone. This targeted diagnosis allowed for a permanent solution rather than repeated temporary fixes.

A close up of a hole in a pipe with a light coming out of it.

The Survey Process


The process is surprisingly straightforward. Our engineers arrive with portable equipment that doesn't require major disruption to your property. Access is typically gained through existing manholes or drain access points. The camera journey through your system usually takes between one to three hours, depending on the property size and complexity.


You'll receive a detailed report including still images and video footage of any issues found, along with our recommendations for remedial work if needed.


Benefits Beyond Problem-Solving


While CCTV surveys excel at diagnosing problems, they're equally valuable for peace of mind. Property buyers often request surveys to avoid inheriting expensive drainage issues. Commercial property managers use them as part of regular maintenance schedules to prevent unexpected failures.


The technology also helps us provide more accurate quotes for any necessary work, as we know exactly what we're dealing with before we start.


Making Informed Decisions

A CCTV drain survey transforms drainage maintenance from reactive crisis management to proactive system care.


Instead of waiting for problems to surface, you gain the knowledge needed to address issues on your terms, often at a fraction of the cost of emergency repairs.


Whether you're dealing with current drainage concerns or simply want to understand your system better, a CCTV survey provides the clarity needed to make informed decisions about your property's drainage health.

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Geoff Ward Director of Commercial Drainage Services Essex CDS Ltd

Geoff Ward


If you have a question about this or any of our blogs, or services then please do not hesitate to get in touch. 

We will always try and answer your question quickly and professionally. 

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