House Purchase Drain Surveys
Don’t Inherit a Problem
Buying a house is likely the biggest investment you will ever make. You hire a surveyor to check the roof, the walls, and the damp—but who checks what is underground?
Standard home surveyor reports usually include a disclaimer saying they have not inspected the drains. That means you could be buying a property with a collapsed pipe or a rat infestation and not know until you move in.
A House Purchase Drain Survey fills that gap. We check the condition of the drainage system so you know exactly what you are buying.
In simple terms: We give the drains a full health check so you don’t get stuck with a massive repair bill the week you move in.
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Why You Need This Survey
Drainage repairs can be expensive. If we find a problem before you exchange contracts, you have the power to ask the seller to fix it, or to negotiate a lower price to cover the cost.
Buyers book this survey to check for:
- Old Pipework: Many UK homes built in the 50s and 60s use “Pitch Fibre” pipes, which can deteriorate over time, as well as old clay pipework that may be cracked or broken.
- Tree Roots: Roots from garden trees seeking water inside the pipes.
- Hidden Cracks: Damage that could lead to subsidence or damp later on.
- Illegal Connections: Bad DIY work from previous owners that you would become liable for.
Gallery
How We Do It: The Process
We provide a clear, evidence-based report that your mortgage lender or insurance company will accept.
1. Initial Assessment – We arrive at the property and locate the manholes and access points to understand the layout of the system.
2. Cleaning (If Required) – If the pipes are full of silt or grease, the camera won’t see anything. We use high-pressure water jets to clean the system first, ensuring a clear view of the pipe walls.
3. The CCTV Inspection – We feed the camera through the entire system where accessible (both foul and surface water). We check for cracks, displaced joints, roots, and signs of vermin.
4. Mapping & Tracing – If you are planning an extension, you need to know where the pipes run. We can map the layout so you know if the drains will interfere with your future building plans.
5. Easy to Understand Report – This is the most important part. You receive:
- A simplified written report grading the condition of the drains.
- Video footage – a download link of the inspection.
- A site plan showing where the drains run (not to scale).
- A quote for any repairs needed. (This is your tool for negotiating with the seller).
Common Issues We Find
It’s not always bad news, but when we do find issues, they typically include:
- Pitch Fibre Deformities: Old pipes that have blistered or flattened.
- Root Intrusion: Roots filling the pipe and catching waste.
- Shared Drains: Discovering that you share a sewer with a neighbour (which affects who pays for repairs).
- Buried Manholes: Access points that have been paved over by a patio or driveway.
- Old Clay Pipework: Some clay pipes still in use today are over 100 years old, ground movement over the years may have led to cracks and displaced joints, or the drains were simply not installed with modern day living in mind.
The Benefits to You (The Buyer)
- Negotiation Power: If remedial works are required to the drainage system, you may be able to negotiate the asking price to cover some of the costs.
- Peace of Mind: You know the drainage for the property is sound.
- Avoid Surprises: Prevents emergency callouts and sewage backups just as you are settling in.
- Future Planning: Information you need if you plan to carry out any building works in the future.
Don’t buy blind. Let ASL check the drains before you sign on the dotted line.
It’s one of the most valuable checks a buyer can make before exchanging contracts.
Testimonials
What Our Clients Say
“I called at 08:10 hours to report a blocked drain. A little while later, Darren rang to tell me he’d arrive in half an hour. He arrived on time and resolved the problem quickly and without fuss. He was polite and friendly throughout. Within two hours of reporting the blockage, all was well. Thank you.” Customer, Surrey
“I unreservedly recommend ASL. All the glowing reviews of ASL are true. They had to lift paving slabs to fix my drains, and I was concerned there might be unavoidable damage. I should not have worried. Liam and Richard did a superb job. Thanks, ASL” Customer, Surrey
“Darren arrived very promptly and got to work quickly. He did an excellent job and explained what he was doing. We would have no hesitation in recommending ASL Services.” Customer, Surrey
“Very efficient to book them to sort out a sewer drain blockage, and the cost was exactly what they quoted. Called before they arrived with a clear ETA. Got on with the job and sorted it out within the hour. Darren was excellent – very courteous and helpful, did more than we expected to help sort the problem out and was a font of knowledge on all things sewer-related. Given the subject matter (eeew) the whole experience with ASL was an absolute pleasure.” Customer, Surrey
“ASL recently carried out a drain repair at our house. They responded quickly to the call for help, came out and soon diagnosed the problem – tree roots blocking the drain. The remedial work on site was carried out by Lester and George – they worked hard and were very thorough. This is a long-established company that seems to know what they are doing.” Customer, Surrey
Areas we cover
Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire, West Sussex and South West London
The ASL Limited HQ is in Guildford, but our operating area is the whole of Surrey and parts of Berkshire, Hampshire, West Sussex and South West London.
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Contact Us
Get in touch today
You can call us on 0800 181 684, email info@asllimited.co.uk or use the form below:
