A drainage investigation uses CCTV cameras to find the cause of persistent or recurring drain problems. Unlike a routine drain survey, an investigation has a narrow focus. We look at your symptoms, because that lets us trace the issue to its source step by step.
This service is a big help if you have recurring blocks, damp patches you cannot explain, bad smells or slow drains. Standard unblocking does not fix these. Our engineers use push-rod and crawler CCTV cameras with pan-and-tilt heads. These show the inside of pipes in detail, so we can check joints and hard-to-reach sections well.
The investigation maps your drainage layout and finds defects. It gives clear proof of what causes the problem. You get a written report with footage, annotated images and specific advice. This proof also helps with insurance claims. It helps with disputes with neighbours over shared drains. It also helps with planning applications that affect drain routes.
We begin by understanding the problem. We ask which fixtures show symptoms, when they occur and what you have tried before. This guides where we focus the investigation.
We trace the drains from the affected area outward. We record footage of each pipe section, joint and connection until we find the defect causing the issue.
Once we know the cause, we record it fully with annotated footage and images. It might be root ingress, a collapsed section, a displaced joint or a design fault.
You get a detailed report that explains the problem and where it is. It lists the best fixes, ranked by cost and how well they work. We can give repair quotes right away.
The cost of a targeted drainage investigation depends on how complex the drains are and how long it takes to find the issue. Straightforward investigations, where we quickly locate the cause, take less time, while those needing extensive tracing take longer. Request a fast, fixed-price quote online. We confirm the price before starting, and there is no call-out fee.
A standard survey gives a general check of your whole drainage system, while an investigation is problem-focused. We work from your symptoms to trace one specific fault. It may cover the full system or just the part with the fault.
Yes. Our push-rod cameras can reach pipes under extensions, conservatories and other buildings. They go in through existing manholes and access points. However, if no access point is nearby, we can talk through ways to make a temporary one.
Yes. Home insurers accept our reports. This is because each one has dated footage and annotated images. It also has a professional view of pipe condition. We write reports to a standard that suits claims, disputes and legal cases.