If you’ve got a slow drain, a recurring blockage, or you’re buying a property and want peace of mind, a CCTV drain survey gives you the clearest possible picture — literally. At Catalyst Home Services, we use high-definition drainage cameras to inspect your pipes from the inside, pinpointing problems without unnecessary digging or disruption.
Our experienced drainage engineers cover all areas of London, delivering detailed reports you can act on straight away. Whether you’re a homeowner, landlord, or property developer, we’ll give you honest, expert advice with no hidden charges and no unnecessary upselling.
Ready to book? Book a plumber online or call us any time on +44 7400 265421 — we’re available 24/7 for urgent drainage issues.
Our Drainage Services
CCTV drain surveys are just one part of our comprehensive drainage services offering. Whether you need a quick clearance or a full sewer investigation, our team is equipped to handle it all.
Services within our drainage range include:
- Blocked Drain Clearance — fast, professional clearance of external and internal blocked drains using high-pressure water jetting and specialist tools.
- Blocked Toilet Unblocking — safe and hygienic unblocking of toilets, including persistent or deep-set blockages.
- CCTV Drain Survey (this page) — full camera inspection of your drainage system to identify blockages, damage, and structural issues.
- Sewer Line Repair — expert repair and relining of damaged or collapsed sewer lines, often using no-dig techniques.
What Is a CCTV Drain Survey?
A CCTV drain survey — sometimes called a drain camera survey or drainage inspection — involves inserting a small, waterproof camera into your drainage system via an access point such as a manhole or inspection chamber. The camera travels through your pipes and transmits live, high-definition footage to our engineer’s monitor above ground.
This footage allows us to identify a wide range of issues, including:
- Blockages caused by grease, debris, or foreign objects
- Root intrusion from nearby trees and shrubs
- Cracked, fractured, or collapsed pipework
- Displaced or misaligned pipe joints
- Corrosion and deterioration in older clay or iron pipes
- Evidence of rat activity within the sewer network
- Poor drainage gradient (pipes that slope the wrong way)
At the end of the survey, you receive a full written report and, where appropriate, a video recording of the inspection. This gives you tangible evidence to share with insurers, solicitors, or contractors.
Who Needs a CCTV Drain Survey?
A CCTV drain survey is useful in a surprising number of situations. You might need one if:
- You’re experiencing recurring blockages that keep coming back despite repeated clearances
- Your drains are making gurgling sounds or releasing unpleasant smells
- Water is draining very slowly or backing up into sinks, baths, or toilets
- You’re in the process of buying or selling a property and want a full condition report on the drainage
- You’re planning a new build or major extension and need to understand the existing drainage layout
- You’re a landlord who wants to ensure your properties meet legal obligations around drainage maintenance
- You manage a commercial property where drainage downtime could disrupt business operations
- Your insurer or a surveyor has requested a formal drainage report
What’s Included in Our CCTV Drain Survey
Every CCTV drain survey we carry out includes the following as standard:
- Full camera inspection of accessible drainage runs from the nearest manhole or inspection chamber
- Live monitoring of footage by our trained drainage engineer
- Identification and location of any defects, blockages, or structural damage
- A written condition report with findings clearly explained in plain English
- Video evidence of the inspection (provided on request or where defects are found)
- A clear recommendation on the next steps — whether that’s a simple jetting, a repair, or further investigation
For more complex situations — such as surveying longer sewer runs, commercial networks, or drainage beneath a slab — we can also provide a full drain mapping service, detailing the layout, depth, and direction of all underground pipework. This is particularly useful ahead of building works or pipe replacement.
Why Choose a Professional CCTV Drain Survey?
It’s tempting to attempt drain inspections with off-the-shelf camera kits, or to simply keep clearing blockages and hope the underlying problem resolves itself. Unfortunately, that approach almost always leads to higher costs in the long run.
Drainage problems in UK properties are governed by a mix of responsibilities that depend on where the pipe sits. Under the Water Industry Act 1991 and subsequent regulations, private drains — those serving a single property — are the homeowner’s responsibility up to the boundary of the public sewer. Shared or lateral drains that serve more than one property are typically the responsibility of your water company. Knowing exactly where a defect sits — and proving it with camera footage — is often critical for insurance claims, disputes with neighbours, or negotiations with Thames Water or another water authority.
Our engineers hold relevant industry qualifications and carry out all surveys in line with WRc / Sewerage Rehabilitation Manual (SRM) guidelines. For landlords, our reports can support compliance with the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, demonstrating due diligence in maintaining safe drainage. You can see our full credentials on our licences and certifications page.
Who We Work With
Homeowners
If you’re dealing with a recurring drainage problem, considering a house purchase, or simply want to understand the condition of your pipes before they become a major issue, we make the process straightforward and stress-free. We explain everything in plain English and follow up every survey with a clear, actionable report.
Landlords & Property Managers
Regular CCTV drain surveys help you stay on top of maintenance, protect your tenants, and demonstrate compliance with housing legislation. Pair a survey with our Residential AMC for ongoing planned maintenance that keeps your properties in great condition year-round.
Commercial Clients
From restaurants and hotels to offices and retail units, drainage failures are costly and disruptive. Our commercial plumbing and Commercial AMC services are designed for businesses that need reliable drainage without the downtime.
Property Developers & Architects
Planning a new build or a significant extension? A pre-works drainage survey is often a condition of planning consent or building regulations approval. We provide detailed drainage maps and condition reports suitable for submission to local authorities or structural engineers.
How Our CCTV Drain Survey Process Works
Here’s what to expect from start to finish:
- 1. Book your survey — Book online or call +44 7400 265421. Our friendly team will take your details, discuss the problem, and arrange a time that suits you.
- 2. Engineer arrival — Our drainage engineer arrives on time, in a marked vehicle, with full ID. We’ll introduce ourselves, listen to your concerns, and explain exactly what we’re going to do before we start.
- 3. Setting up — We locate the nearest access point (typically a manhole or inspection chamber) and prepare our camera equipment. No digging required at this stage.
- 4. Camera inspection — The camera is fed through the pipe whilst the engineer monitors the live footage. We record everything and note the location of any defects using distance markers.
- 5. On-site discussion — Once the inspection is complete, we’ll talk you through what we found on screen before we leave. No jargon, no pressure — just honest advice.
- 6. Written report — Your detailed written report (and video where applicable) is sent to you promptly after the visit, giving you a permanent record of the drainage condition.
- 7. Recommended next steps — If work is required, we’ll provide a transparent, no-obligation quote. Depending on the findings, this might include drain clearance, sewer line repair, or pipe replacement and relining.
Why Choose Catalyst Home Services?
We’re a London-based plumbing and property maintenance company built on genuine expertise, transparent pricing, and a commitment to getting it right first time. Here’s what sets us apart:
- Qualified, vetted engineers — All our team members are background-checked and hold the relevant industry accreditations. See our licences and certifications.
- No hidden costs — We quote upfront, and the price you’re given is the price you pay.
- Same-day and emergency availability — Drainage emergencies don’t wait. Our 24/7 emergency line means help is always available.
- Detailed reports — Our survey reports are written clearly, suitable for insurers, solicitors, and local authorities.
- Five-star service — Don’t just take our word for it. Read what our customers say on our reviews and testimonials page.
Find out more about who we are, how we work, and what makes us the right choice on our Why Choose Us page.
Related Services You Might Need
A CCTV survey often uncovers problems that need further attention. Here are related services our customers commonly book alongside or after a drain survey:
- Sewer Line Repair — If the survey reveals damage, we can repair or reline the affected section, often without excavation.
- Blocked Drain Clearance — Where blockages are identified, we can clear them immediately using high-pressure water jetting.
- Pipe Replacement & Relining — For severely deteriorated pipework, we offer full replacement or no-dig relining solutions.
- Leak Detection & Repair — Damp patches or unusually high water bills may indicate a leaking underground pipe rather than a drainage fault.
- Emergency Plumbing — If a drainage issue becomes urgent, our emergency team is on hand 24 hours a day.
- Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) — Protect your property with a planned maintenance plan that includes regular drainage checks and priority callout.
FAQs
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How much does a CCTV drain survey cost in London?
The cost of a CCTV drain survey in London typically ranges from £150 to £350 for a standard residential property, depending on the length and complexity of the drainage run. Commercial properties or surveys requiring access to deeper sewer systems may cost more. We always provide a clear quote before we start work — contact us or book online for a precise price.
How long does a CCTV drain survey take?
Most residential CCTV drain surveys take between 45 minutes and 2 hours, depending on the size of the property and the number of drainage runs to be inspected. If problems are found that require more detailed investigation or additional access, this can extend the appointment, but we’ll always let you know in advance.
Will I get a written report after the survey?
Yes. Every CCTV drain survey we carry out includes a written condition report detailing what was found, the location of any defects, and our recommended next steps. Where drainage defects are identified, we can also provide video footage. These reports are suitable for sharing with mortgage lenders, insurers, solicitors, or local authorities.
Do I need to do anything to prepare for a CCTV drain survey?
Very little preparation is needed on your part. It helps to know the approximate location of your manhole covers if you have them, but our engineer will locate the relevant access points on arrival. We’d ask that pets are kept away from the work area for their safety, and that there’s reasonable access to the exterior of the property.
Can a CCTV survey detect rat activity in my drains?
Yes — this is one of the most common reasons homeowners and pest control companies request a drain survey. Camera footage can reveal broken or displaced pipe joints that rats use to enter the sewer network, as well as gnaw marks, nesting material, or other signs of activity. If rat ingress is identified, we can recommend the appropriate repairs to seal entry points.
Is a CCTV drain survey required when buying a house?
It’s not legally required, but it’s very strongly advisable. A standard homebuyer’s survey does not inspect below-ground drainage, meaning you could inherit significant drainage problems without any prior knowledge. A CCTV drain survey before exchange of contracts gives you solid evidence of the drainage condition — and can be used to renegotiate the purchase price if faults are found.
Can you carry out a CCTV survey on the same day as a blocked drain clearance?
Absolutely. In fact, we often recommend carrying out a CCTV inspection after clearing a blockage to confirm that the pipe is in good overall condition and to check for any underlying causes — such as root intrusion or a collapsed section — that might cause the blockage to reoccur. Ask our team about combining services when you book your appointment.
What areas of London do you cover for CCTV drain surveys?
We cover all of Greater London and many surrounding areas. You can check whether we cover your specific postcode or borough on our service areas page. If you’re unsure, just give us a call and we’ll confirm straight away.
Ready to Book Your CCTV Drain Survey?
Don’t leave drainage problems to chance. Whether you’re dealing with a recurring blockage, preparing for a property purchase, or simply want to know what’s going on underground, our CCTV drain survey service gives you the answers you need — fast, clearly, and at a fair price.
Call us now: +44 7400 265421 (24/7, including weekends and bank holidays)
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