How to Prepare for a CCTV Drain Survey in Derby

If you have booked a CCTV drain survey for your home or small business in Derby or Derbyshire, you are already taking the right step to protect your property. A professional survey gives you a clear understanding of your drainage system and helps identify any problems before they become expensive.

However, many homeowners are unsure how to prepare for their appointment. A few simple steps can make the process smoother, faster, and more accurate. In this guide, our experts at Derby Drain Surveys explain what you can do before your inspection to get the best results.

Why a CCTV Drain Survey Matters

A CCTV drain survey uses a specialist high-definition camera to inspect underground pipes and sewers. It allows our engineers to check for cracks, leaks, root ingress, and blockages without digging or disruption.

This type of survey is vital if you are:

• Buying or selling a home

• Planning an extension or renovation

• Experiencing drainage issues such as bad smells or slow flow

• Investigating repeated blockages or rodent problems
  

By understanding your drain’s condition early, you can avoid unnecessary repairs, costly emergencies, and insurance disputes later.

5 Steps to Prepare Like a Professional

To ensure your CCTV drain survey runs smoothly and produces accurate results, follow these five essential steps:

1. Make Sure All Drains and Manholes Are Accessible

Before your survey, check that all manholes, drain covers, and inspection chambers are easy to reach. Move bins, planters, or garden furniture that may block access. If you have heavy covers or areas with restricted access, let your engineer know in advance so they can bring the right tools.

Easy access ensures a faster and more efficient inspection, allowing our team to capture complete footage of your system.

2. Clear the Area Around Outdoor Drains

If possible, tidy the area around external drains and ensure surfaces are clear of mud, leaves, or debris. This not only makes the survey cleaner but also allows us to locate drain entry points quickly. For homes in older areas of Derby, where drains may not be mapped, this step can save valuable time.

3. Inform Tenants, Builders, or Neighbours

If your property is shared or has ongoing building work, it is helpful to notify everyone before the visit. Builders, tenants, or neighbours should know when the survey will take place to avoid disruptions. For Party Wall or Build Over surveys, this communication helps ensure all parties are prepared and cooperative on the day.

4. Avoid Flushing Certain Items Before the Survey

To get the clearest possible footage, avoid flushing wipes, fats, or oils for at least 48 hours before the survey. These materials can cloud the camera view or temporarily block flow. Clean pipes make it easier to detect cracks, leaks, or misalignments accurately.

5. Gather Previous Survey or Drain Information

If you have had any previous drainage inspections or repairs, share that information with your surveyor. Knowing where past problems occurred or where pipes were replaced helps us focus on key sections of your system.

What Happens During the Survey

Once the area is prepared, your Derby Drain Surveys engineer will use a flexible, high-resolution CCTV camera to inspect your drainage system. The camera travels through the pipes, transmitting live footage to our monitor. This allows us to see exactly what is happening underground.

During the process, we record:

• The internal condition of each drain

• Any cracks, displaced joints, or root intrusion

• The layout and connection points of the network
  

The entire survey usually takes between one and two hours, depending on the property size.

After the Survey

After the inspection, you will receive:

• HD video footage of your entire drainage system

• A detailed written report outlining any issues and their severity

• Professional recommendations for repair or maintenance
  

If defects are found, we can also provide treatment options such as pipe relining, high-pressure jet washing, or root removal. These solutions are designed to restore your drains quickly without excavation.

Why Preparation Helps You Save Money

Good preparation ensures your CCTV drain survey is accurate and efficient. It allows us to complete the inspection without delays and identify problems before they worsen. For Derby homeowners, this often means avoiding costly emergency callouts or excavation work later.

A simple survey that costs a few hundred pounds can prevent thousands in damage repairs, particularly if your property has older clay or pitch fibre drains.

Why Choose Derby Drain Surveys

At Derby Drain Surveys, we have over 20 years of experience providing drainage inspections and reports across Derbyshire, Burton, Hilton, and surrounding Midlands areas. We work with homeowners, builders, landlords, and surveyors to deliver fast, reliable, and compliant results.

Our service includes:

• HD CCTV inspections and detailed written reports

• Friendly, qualified engineers

• Transparent pricing with no hidden costs

• Fast response times and flexible appointments
  

We combine modern technology with local expertise to deliver outstanding service every time.

Get Ready for a Smooth, Hassle-Free Survey

By taking a few moments to prepare, you can help ensure your drain survey is quick, thorough, and stress-free. Whether you are buying, building, or investigating a problem, our team is ready to help you every step of the way.

Click here to book your Build Over Drain Survey or learn more about our professional CCTV drain inspections for home extensions in Derbyshire.

📍 Based in Derby. Serving Derbyshire, Burton, Hilton, and surrounding Midlands towns.