CCTV drain surveys: why they matter more than people think.
I remember when we had to work blind.
You'd rod a drain and feel your way through. Feel the dip, the drop joint, or the blockage. Guess the distance. Hope for the best.
Back then, there was no picture. No way to show the customer what we saw.
Just a man with a rod and a gut feeling.
A lot has changed in drain surveys.
Now we jump out the van with a battery-powered camera kit that records footage, marks the distance, and gives you a proper view of what's going on underground.
You don't need to guess anymore. And neither do we.
Real-world example: getting it spot on.
We had a call from a couple buying their first home.
Surveyor said, "Might be a drain issue," but nothing specific.
They didn't want to spend more money, but we offered a Quick Look with their blocked drain call-out, included in the price.
Turns out, the pipe wasn't just blocked. It was cracked and slightly displaced under an old extension.
We caught it early, saved them from buying trouble, and gave them evidence they could show the seller.
They called it "the best £99 we've spent."
Most problem drains need fat removed from the walls of the pipe so jetting is normally required. Allow for two hours if it's backed up and been blocked for a while.
Why drain cameras matter more than you think.
Anyone can turn up with a jet washer.
Not everyone knows what to look for.
A proper CCTV drain survey gives you:
- Evidence of what's underground
- Distance markers so repairs can be pinpointed
- Photos and footage to show sellers, buyers, insurers, or builders
- Peace of mind that it's been done properly
You can't argue with a photo.
And you can't deny the value of knowing what's really going on.
Common things we catch early.
A good survey picks up on things before they become disasters:
- Fat build-up in the pipes, especially from kitchen waste
- Root ingress, where small roots have pierced open joints
- Dropped sections, where the pipe has sagged or dipped
- Collapsed or squashed pipe, sometimes hidden under patios or extensions
- Pitch fibre pipe, which often goes unnoticed by untrained eyes
(We even caught a case of a pipe that had been drilled straight through by a fence post!)
The camera doesn't lie, and that's a good thing.
When you're grinding out a steel pipe, for example, we watch every move with the camera live.
We see when the pipe is clean, when the debris is cleared, and when the surface is smooth again.
It's not just about the camera. It's about who's using it.
At ASL Limited, our engineers know what to spot, when to dig deeper, and how to explain it clearly.
Your Quick Look, included in our £99 blocked drain call-out.
We now include a Quick CCTV Look when we attend a blocked drain call-out.
This isn't a full house purchase survey, but it gives you clarity.
If the problem looks deeper, we'll let you know honestly.
And if a full survey is needed, we'll explain why, with photos and pricing upfront.
That way, you're not just buying a fix. You're buying understanding.
Need a drain checked properly?
📞 Call ASL Limited on 0800 181 684 to book your Quick Look or full CCTV drain survey.
It might just be the best money you spend this year.
We cover Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire, West Sussex and South West London.
Related services.
To learn more about how ASL Limited can help you understand your drainage system:
