CCTV Drain Survey Manchester

A CCTV drain survey is the only reliable way to find out what is really going on inside your pipes. We carry out professional CCTV drain survey inspections across Greater Manchester, from Salford to Stockport, Oldham to Trafford. Using high-definition push-rod and crawler cameras, we record the full internal condition of your drainage system and deliver a detailed report showing exactly what we found — no guesswork, no assumptions.

What Is a CCTV Drain Survey?

A CCTV drain survey involves inserting a specialist waterproof camera into your drainage system to inspect the inside of the pipes. The camera head is attached to a flexible push rod (for smaller domestic pipes) or mounted on a remote-controlled crawler unit (for larger pipes and shared sewers). As the camera moves through the pipework, it sends a live HD video feed to a monitor on the surface.

The engineer watches the footage in real time, noting every defect, joint, change of direction, and connection point. The entire survey is recorded so it can be reviewed in detail afterwards. This is not a quick peek with a torch — it is a thorough, systematic inspection of every accessible pipe run on the property.

What Defects Does a CCTV Drain Survey Find?

The camera picks up problems that are invisible from the surface. These are the most common issues we identify on properties across Manchester and the surrounding boroughs:

• Cracks and fractures — Hairline cracks through to full pipe breaks, often caused by ground movement or traffic loading
• Root ingress — Tree and shrub roots forcing their way through joints and cracks, gradually blocking the pipe. Particularly common in areas like Didsbury, Chorlton, and Sale where mature street trees line older roads
• Displaced joints — Where pipe sections have shifted apart, allowing soil and water ingress. Very common in Victorian clay pipe systems
• Collapsed sections — Complete failure of the pipe structure, where the crown has fallen into the invert and the drain is effectively blocked
• Scale and calcium buildup — Mineral deposits narrowing the internal diameter of the pipe, restricting flow
• Fat, oil, and grease (FOG) deposits — Congealed fat clinging to pipe walls, a frequent problem in terraced streets with shared drainage
• Bellied or sagging pipes — Sections where the pipe has dropped, creating a low point that collects silt and debris
• Incorrect connections — Foul drains connected to surface water systems (or vice versa), which can cause pollution and is a building regulations issue

Step-by-Step: How the Survey Works

Here is exactly what happens when we carry out a CCTV drain survey at your property:

1. Access and preparation

We locate the best access point — usually a manhole cover or inspection chamber. If the drains are holding standing water or heavy debris, we may need to carry out a light flush first so the camera can see the pipe walls clearly.

2. Camera insertion

The camera is fed into the pipe from the access point. For standard 100mm and 150mm domestic drains, we use a push-rod camera with a self-levelling head, which keeps the image upright regardless of the pipe angle. For larger diameter pipes or longer runs, we use a motorised crawler unit.

3. Systematic recording

The engineer guides the camera through each pipe run, recording the entire journey. The distance counter on the equipment logs the exact position of every feature and defect. We survey all accessible runs — from the property to the main sewer connection, plus any branch lines feeding from kitchen, bathroom, and external gullies.

4. Real-time analysis

As the camera moves through the system, the engineer identifies and logs every defect, noting its type, severity, and exact location. If you are on site, we are happy to show you the live feed and explain what we are seeing.

5. Report compilation

After the survey, we compile a full drain survey report including annotated footage, still images of key defects, pipe condition grading, and clear recommendations for any remedial work. You receive this as a PDF and a link to the video footage.

What You Receive

Every CCTV drain survey includes:

• HD video footage of every pipe run inspected, with distance markers
• Still images of all identified defects and key features
• Pipe condition grading using the industry-standard WRc classification system
• Defect schedule listing every issue found, with location, type, and severity
• Repair recommendations with urgency grading — what needs fixing now versus what to monitor
• Drainage plan showing the layout of the system as surveyed

The report is written in plain English. You will understand exactly what has been found and what (if anything) needs doing about it. Read more about what is included in our reports.

Who Needs a CCTV Drain Survey?

Homebuyers

If you are buying a property in Manchester, a homebuyer drain survey is one of the smartest investments you can make. A standard house survey does not cover drainage. A collapsed drain under the garden or a root-infested pipe run could cost you thousands to repair — and you would not know about it until you had already completed the purchase.

Homeowners with drainage problems

Slow-draining sinks, gurgling toilets, bad smells from manholes, damp patches in the garden — these are all signs that something is wrong underground. A CCTV survey gives you a definitive diagnosis so you can fix the right problem first time. If you have had recurring blockages cleared more than twice, there is almost certainly a structural issue causing them.

Landlords and property managers

You have a duty of care to your tenants, and drainage problems only get worse (and more expensive) if you ignore them. A periodic CCTV survey lets you plan maintenance proactively rather than dealing with emergency call-outs.

Property developers and builders

Planning an extension, conversion, or new build? You need to know where the existing drainage runs are and what condition they are in before you start digging. A survey combined with drain mapping gives you the information you need for Building Control and planning applications.

Solicitors and conveyancers

We provide reports that are suitable for inclusion in conveyancing packs. If your client’s property transaction depends on drainage condition, we can turn reports around quickly.

Pricing

A standard domestic CCTV drain survey in Manchester typically costs between £150 and £300, depending on the size of the property and the extent of the drainage system. Larger properties, commercial premises, or sites requiring crawler camera equipment may cost more.

We always provide a clear quote before we start work. There are no hidden charges, and we will never recommend work that is not genuinely needed.

Manchester Drainage: What Makes It Different

Greater Manchester has some specific drainage characteristics that affect what we find during surveys:

Victorian clay pipes — Much of the housing stock in central Manchester, Salford, and the inner boroughs was built in the Victorian and Edwardian eras. These properties typically have clay pipe drainage systems that are now 100-150 years old. Clay pipes are durable but brittle, and after a century of ground movement, many have cracked or displaced joints.

Combined sewer systems — Many older areas of Manchester use combined sewers, where foul waste and rainwater share the same pipes. This means the drains carry heavier flows during wet weather, increasing the risk of surcharging and backflow.

Terraced housing — Rows of terraced properties often share drainage runs, with multiple houses connected to the same pipe before it reaches the public sewer. A defect in the shared section can affect several properties. Understanding who is responsible for which section requires knowing exactly where the pipe runs — something a survey with drain tracing can establish.

Mature trees — Suburbs like Didsbury, Chorlton, Fallowfield, Withington, and Sale have tree-lined streets with large, established root systems. These roots actively seek out moisture and nutrients from drain joints, making root ingress one of the most common defects we find in these areas.

Areas We Cover

We carry out CCTV drain surveys across the whole of Greater Manchester, including Manchester city centre, Salford, Trafford, Stockport, Tameside, Oldham, Rochdale, Bury, Bolton, and Wigan. Our engineers are local — we know the housing stock, the drainage systems, and the common problems in each area.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a CCTV drain survey take?

A standard domestic survey typically takes between 1 and 2 hours on site. Larger properties or complex drainage layouts may take longer. We will give you a time estimate when you book.

Do I need to be at home during the survey?

It helps if someone is over 18 at the property so we can access internal fixtures if needed and show you the footage in real time. However, if all access points are external, we can often carry out the survey without you being present.

Will the survey cause any mess or disruption?

Very little. We access the drains through existing manholes and inspection chambers. There is no digging involved. We clean up after ourselves and leave the access points as we found them.

How quickly can you get to me?

We offer same-day availability across Greater Manchester for urgent enquiries. For planned surveys, we can usually book you in within a few days. Homebuyer surveys are prioritised because we know you are working to a conveyancing deadline.

Can you survey drains under a building or extension?

Yes. Our push-rod cameras can navigate bends and access pipes that run beneath buildings. If the pipe is accessible from an external manhole, we can usually survey the full run regardless of what is built above it.

What happens if you find a problem?

We will explain what we have found, how serious it is, and what your options are. For urgent issues like collapses, we can put you in touch with trusted local contractors. For less critical problems, the report gives you the information you need to get accurate repair quotes.

Is a CCTV drain survey the same as a drain inspection?

Not quite. A full CCTV drain survey covers every accessible pipe run and produces a comprehensive report. A drain inspection is a more targeted check of a specific section, usually to diagnose a known problem. If you already know roughly where the issue is, an inspection may be all you need.

Book Your CCTV Drain Survey

If you need a CCTV drain survey in Manchester or anywhere across Greater Manchester, get in touch. We offer same-day availability, clear pricing, and reports you can actually understand. Call us or fill in the form to get a quote — we will get back to you quickly.