What Happens During a CCTV Drain Survey? Step-by-Step

Before the Engineer Arrives

A CCTV drain survey requires no preparation on your part other than knowing where your external inspection chambers (manholes) are — or at least roughly where your drain runs leave the house. If you have drainage plans from when you bought the property, having them available is useful but not essential. Our engineers locate access points as part of the survey.

You don't need to clear drains beforehand or avoid running water in the hours before the visit. Normal household use is fine.

Step 1: Locate and Access the Drain

The engineer's first task is to identify the best point to introduce the camera. For most domestic surveys, this is an external inspection chamber — a manhole cover in the garden, driveway, or near the house wall. The chamber is lifted and the internal condition noted: is it clear, partially blocked, or backing up? This first observation alone tells the engineer a lot about where any blockage is likely to be.

Where no external access exists, internal access points — a rodding eye behind a toilet, a cleanout on the soil stack — may be used. The engineer will explain the access plan before any work begins.

Step 2: Introduce the Camera

The camera unit — a waterproof head mounted on a flexible push-rod or self-propelled crawler, depending on the pipe diameter — is fed into the drain. For standard 100mm domestic drain pipes, a push-rod camera on a reel is used. For larger pipes (150mm+), a self-propelled crawler can navigate bends and junctions independently.

The camera transmits a live colour video feed to a monitor above ground. A built-in LED ring light illuminates the pipe interior. The engineer controls the speed of travel, pausing or reversing as needed to examine any area more closely.

Step 3: The Survey Run

The camera travels the length of each drain run being surveyed. As it moves, the engineer narrates findings and the recording system logs the distance from the access point — so that any defect can be referenced to an exact location. A typical domestic drain run of 15–25 metres takes 15–30 minutes to survey thoroughly.

The engineer is looking for:

• Root intrusion — visible as a mesh or fringe of root growth entering through joints or cracks
• Displaced or open joints — sections where pipe segments have moved apart, creating a gap or step
• Cracks and fractures — ranging from hairline surface cracks to open fractures in the pipe wall
• Collapsed sections — where the pipe has deformed or completely failed, causing a partial or total obstruction
• Debris accumulation — grease, sediment, or physical objects partially or fully blocking the pipe
• Incorrect gradients — where the pipe sags or has inadequate fall, causing slow flow and debris settlement
• Pipe condition — general assessment of the material (clay, plastic, cast iron), age, and overall structural integrity

Step 4: Clearing Blockages Found During the Survey

If a blockage is discovered during the camera run, it's usually possible to clear it during the same visit using high-pressure water jetting — rather than booking a separate appointment. The engineer will discuss this with you before proceeding and confirm whether any additional cost applies.

In some cases, the blockage is too severe for jetting alone, or the pipe condition suggests that jetting would risk further damage. In these situations, the engineer will recommend the appropriate next step and provide a written quote.

Step 5: Review and Discuss Findings

After completing the survey run, the engineer will walk you through the footage on the monitor, pointing out any defects found. This is your opportunity to ask questions before the written report is issued. A good engineer will explain clearly what each finding means in plain language — not drain survey jargon — and give an honest assessment of urgency.

Not every defect requires immediate action. Open joints in an otherwise sound pipe may be suitable for monitoring rather than immediate repair. A collapsed section obstructing flow needs addressing promptly. The conversation after the survey is as valuable as the footage itself.

Step 6: The Written Report

You receive a written report typically within 24–48 hours of the survey, containing:

• A description of the drain runs surveyed, with access point locations
• A schedule of defects — each finding described, located by distance from the access point, and categorised by severity
• Photographic stills from the footage illustrating each defect
• Recommendations for remediation, with urgency classification
• Video footage on request

This report is a formal technical document — acceptable to solicitors for property transactions, to insurers for claims, and to local authorities when drainage questions arise during planning applications.

To book a CCTV drain survey across Peterborough and surrounding areas, book online or call 02039514510. For more on when a survey is the right tool, read our overview of CCTV drain surveys in Peterborough.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a CCTV drain survey take?

A standard domestic CCTV survey covering the main drain runs from a property typically takes 1–2 hours on site. Larger properties with multiple drain runs, or surveys that include clearing a found blockage, will take longer. The written report is issued within 24–48 hours of the visit.

Does the survey cover internal waste pipes as well?

A standard external drain survey covers underground drainage from the property to the public sewer connection. Internal waste pipes — under sinks, behind baths, within stud walls — are generally not accessible by camera without removing fixtures. If you have a specific concern about an internal pipe, let us know when booking and we'll advise on the best approach.

What size pipes can be surveyed?

Domestic CCTV cameras work in pipes from 75mm to 225mm diameter — covering all standard residential drain and sewer pipe sizes. Larger commercial or combined sewer pipes use different equipment. If you're unsure whether your pipe size is within range, our team can confirm when you call.

Can I watch the survey while it's happening?

Yes — the engineer's monitor is positioned above ground and you're welcome to watch the live feed throughout the survey. Most customers find this helpful, particularly when the engineer is explaining what the camera is showing in real time. You don't need to watch if you'd prefer not to — the report will capture all findings either way.