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A CCTV drain survey uses a high-definition camera mounted on a flexible crawler unit to inspect the inside of underground drainage pipes. The camera is fed through the drain from an access point typically a manhole or inspection chamber and transmits live footage that an engineer can view and assess in real time.
Unlike guesswork or exploratory excavation, a drainage camera survey allows our engineers to see exactly what is happening inside a pipe. This means the nature and location of a problem can be identified accurately before any repair work takes place.
Visible cracks and fractures in the pipe wall can be seen during a CCTV survey, indicating sections of the drainage system that may require repair or relining.
Where a pipe has partially or fully collapsed, the camera will show a clear restriction or complete loss of the pipe bore, indicating the location and extent of the collapse.
Tree and shrub roots that have grown into a pipe through joints or cracks are visible during inspection, allowing the extent of root penetration to be assessed.
Heavy limescale and accumulated deposits that have narrowed the internal diameter of the pipe can be clearly seen, helping to explain slow drainage or recurring blockages.
Where a blockage is present inside the pipe, the camera can identify what is causing it and confirm its location, supporting an informed decision about the most appropriate clearing method.
Pipe joints that have shifted out of alignment often due to ground movement or age can be identified visually during a CCTV inspection, as they create a visible step or gap inside the pipe.
More significant structural damage including deformation of the pipe, spalling, or visible deterioration of the pipe material can be observed during a camera survey where it is visible to the camera.
Where water or soil is entering through a crack or failed joint, this can sometimes be observed during an inspection, indicating a potential infiltration point that may require attention.
Using the camera footage together with cable distance measurements, our engineers can identify the approximate location of a visible defect, which can assist in planning any repair work required.
We deploy a high-definition crawler camera into the drainage system to provide clear, detailed footage of the internal condition of the pipe, transmitted live to our engineer's monitor.
The camera provides direct, real-time visibility of what is happening inside the drain showing the internal bore, pipe joints, and any visible damage, deposits, or obstructions along the surveyed section.
Using cable measurements in conjunction with the camera footage, our engineers can establish the approximate position of visible defects along the drain run, helping to inform repair decisions.
Where the survey identifies a visible defect, our engineer will explain the findings and discuss what options may be appropriate. This might include drain repair or relining or targeted drain unblocking, depending on what the camera reveals.
A drainage camera provides visibility of what is happening inside a pipe that would otherwise be entirely inaccessible without excavation. This is its primary practical value.
Knowing what a drainage problem actually is rather than guessing means that any decision about repair or maintenance is based on what the camera has shown, rather than assumption.
When a defect is visible during the inspection, its approximate position along the drain run can be established, which is useful information if repair work subsequently proves necessary.
Where the survey indicates that repair work may be required such as drain relining or structural repair the inspection findings provide a basis for understanding what approach may be appropriate for the specific problem found.
For drains that keep blocking despite repeated clearing, a CCTV survey can help identify whether there is an underlying structural reason for the recurring problem, rather than simply clearing the drain again.
In some cases, identifying a problem through camera inspection before any physical work begins may allow a more targeted approach. However, whether excavation is ultimately required depends on the nature of the problem found.
Hampshire Drain Expert carries out CCTV drain surveys for residential and commercial customers across Hampshire. Our team operates in Southampton, Portsmouth, Winchester, Basingstoke, Andover, and throughout the surrounding area.
