Planning a Home Extension Near a Shared Wall? Here’s Why You Need a Party Wall Drain Survey in Derbyshire

Whether you’re adding a rear extension, building a garden room, or converting your garage into a home office. If your project sits close to a neighbour’s property, you’ll likely need a Party Wall Agreement.

But here’s the part many Derbyshire homeowners forget: the drains running under the party wall are just as important as the wall itself.

Failing to check or properly document the condition of nearby drains before starting work can lead to legal disputes, construction delays, structural problems, and unexpected repair bills, sometimes long after the build is finished.

In this post, we’ll explain what a Party Wall Drain Survey is, why it’s essential if you're renovating near a shared wall, and how we help homeowners and builders across Derby, Burton, and the Midlands avoid costly surprises before a single brick is laid.

What Is a Party Wall Drain Survey?

A Party Wall Drain Survey is a specialist CCTV inspection carried out before any building work begins near or against a shared boundary (the “party wall”) between properties.

It involves sending high-resolution cameras through your underground drainage system to:

✅ Identify shared or adjacent drains
✅ Map their exact location and route
✅ Document the current condition of pipes, joints, and chambers
✅ Provide evidence of any existing issues like cracks, misalignments, or root ingress

This survey is essential for protecting you, your neighbour, and your builder from disputes down the line.

Why Is This Survey So Important?

🧱 1. You May Be Legally Required to Do It

If your works fall under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, you are legally required to notify your neighbours and may need to provide proof that your construction won’t impact shared structures, including underground drains.

Without proof, your neighbour can refuse permission or take legal steps to stop the build.

💰 2. It Protects You From Unfair Blame

Imagine completing your extension, only to be told months later that your work caused a cracked pipe under your neighbour’s kitchen or garden.

With no pre-build drainage survey, you could be liable for repairs costing £2,000–£5,000 or more, even if the issue was already there.

A Party Wall Drain Survey provides clear, time-stamped video evidence of the drain’s condition before you begin. That way, you can’t be blamed for problems that already existed.

👷 3. It Keeps Builders and Surveyors on the Same Page

Party Wall Surveyors often request drainage condition reports before signing off on agreements, especially if public or shared drains are nearby.

Our written reports are clear, compliant, and easy to share, helping your builder stay within guidelines and get the green light to proceed.

⛏️ 4. Avoids Structural Damage Mid-Build

You’d be surprised how often contractors hit, crack, or block drains they didn’t know were there. That’s because underground pipes don’t always follow predictable routes, especially in older Derbyshire homes with mixed or clay drainage.

A CCTV drain survey maps out everything before digging begins, helping you avoid:

• Pipe bursts

• Costly delays

• Structural instability from disturbed ground

• Fines from Severn Trent if public drains are damaged

Real Derby Scenarios We've Helped Prevent

🏡 “Neighbour blamed us for a broken pipe!”

In Mickleover, a homeowner began a rear kitchen extension. Months after completion, the neighbour reported a collapsed drain. Without a pre-build survey, our client had no way to prove it wasn’t their fault  and paid £2,400 in repairs. Now, we’re called first before any builds start.

🧱 “Drain ran directly under the planned wall!”

In Hilton, our CCTV camera revealed a public drain that ran exactly beneath the planned new footings. Had they poured concrete, it could’ve crushed the pipe and caused serious issues. Instead, we re-routed the plan, secured Severn Trent approval, and avoided legal complications.

What You Get With Our Party Wall Drain Survey Service

Based in Derby and covering all surrounding areas, we offer a full end-to-end Party Wall Drain Survey service that includes:

✅ HD CCTV footage of all accessible drains
✅ A detailed written report you can share with neighbours, surveyors, or planning officers
✅ A digital layout map showing where pipes run
✅ Professional recommendations for drainage protection or redirection
✅ Time-stamped proof of the drain’s condition before any work begins

We use non-invasive techniques, meaning no digging or disruption,  just expert insights.

Who Needs a Party Wall Drain Survey?

This type of survey is ideal for:

🏡 Homeowners planning an extension, loft conversion, or garden room
🔨 Builders working on residential or small commercial projects
🏗️ Developers or landlords undertaking renovations near boundaries
📝 Architects and surveyors preparing documentation for Party Wall Agreements

Even if you're not 100% sure a shared drain is nearby, it’s better to check. Many underground pipes are unrecorded or misaligned from historic work.

Local Knowledge That Makes a Difference

With over 20 years of experience in drainage and construction, we know exactly what to look for. From Edwardian terraces in Allestree to 1970s builds in Chaddesden, we’ve surveyed all types of drainage systems across Derbyshire and the Midlands.

We know the ground types. We understand Severn Trent rules. And we help keep your project moving without disruption.

Booking Your Survey Is Simple

We offer fast callouts, flexible scheduling, and friendly, jargon-free service. Most surveys are completed within 1 hour, and you’ll receive your full report within 24–48 hours.

📍 Our team covers:

• Derby

• Burton-upon-Trent

• Hilton

• Mickleover

• Chaddesden

• Duffield

• And all surrounding areas in the East Midlands

Don’t Let Hidden Drains Derail Your Project

You wouldn’t build over a wall without knowing what’s behind it. So don't build over a boundary without knowing what’s beneath it.

A Party Wall Drain Survey gives you peace of mind, protects your investment, and helps maintain a great relationship with your neighbours.

👉 Book your CCTV Party Wall Drain Survey today and make sure your project starts on the right foot.

🔍 Click here to book your Party Wall Drain Survey or learn more about our CCTV drain inspections and full reporting packages for home extensions and renovations.