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Written by Glasgow Drain Unblocker Last updated
CCTV Drain Surveys in Glasgow, a drainage engineer at work
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CCTV Drain Surveys in Glasgow

A camera survey shows the inside of a drain on video. Use one to find a fault or check a repair, or to look at a property before you buy.

  • Covering Glasgow and nearby towns
  • Ask for a written quote before work starts
  • Ask whether there is a call-out charge
  • The request form is open 24/7
Free to request No obligation Open 24/7 to send a request Drains only

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What the work involves

A CCTV drain survey sends a small camera along the pipe. The video shows cracks, roots, collapsed sections and blockages that you cannot see from above ground. It turns a guess into evidence, so you can compare quotes on the same facts.

A camera is worth considering when problems keep coming back. However, it also helps when a drain smells or runs slowly and you cannot see why. A UK cost guide from MyJobQuote says a survey is usually worth it with recurring blockages, slow drainage, bad smells or suspected damaged pipework.

Surveys also help before you buy a property, or before you pay for a repair. Ask what the report will include, because a short written summary with the video is easier to share with your solicitor or surveyor.

Common signs to look for

  • Blockages keep returning after clearance
  • Several fixtures drain slowly
  • A bad smell hangs around a drain or garden
  • Damp patches or sunken ground appear near a drain route
  • You are buying a property and want to know the drains
  • A repair is planned and you want to see the damage first

Questions to ask before work starts

  • Ask for a written quote before work starts
  • Ask whether the video and a written report are included
  • Ask whether the quote includes a plan of the pipe runs
  • Ask if cleaning is needed first and whether it costs extra
  • Ask who keeps the footage and who gets a copy
  • Ask whether repair quotes are separate from the survey price

How the work usually goes

Get access

The engineer opens a manhole, gully or inspection chamber. Most surveys use an existing access point, so digging is rarely needed. If there is no access point, ask how the engineer plans to reach the pipe.

Run the camera

First, a camera on a rod or a small crawler follows the pipe and records. Water or debris may need clearing first, because they block the view.

Review the footage

The engineer notes each defect and where it sits. After that, the report should show what each fault means, so you can plan repairs. Ask for the video and a short written summary that you can keep, because both help when you compare quotes.

What a survey can and cannot tell you

Scotland's building standards guidance points to cameras and remote kit, so that people enter drains and sewers only where there is no alternative. A survey lets you look without anyone going in, which is safer.

A survey shows where a fault is, while the curtilage rule tells you who looks after that stretch. Your private drain runs to your property boundary, and a drain becomes a public sewer when it leaves it.

CCTV Drain Surveys — frequently asked questions

What does a CCTV drain survey show?

A CCTV survey puts a small camera inside the drain. It can show blockages, cracks, root growth and collapsed sections on video. Ask whether you will get the footage and a written report.

Do I need a drain survey before buying a house?

A survey can show hidden problems before you commit to a purchase. It is worth considering if the property has slow drains, bad smells or past blockages, or if you suspect damaged pipework. Ask your solicitor or surveyor whether it makes sense for your purchase.

How long does a CCTV drain survey take?

The time depends on the length of the drain and how easy it is to reach. Ask the engineer for an estimate before the visit. Also ask what you will receive afterwards, such as footage or a written report.

Will there be a call-out charge?

That depends on the engineer who takes your job. Ask whether there is a call-out charge before they visit. Then ask for the quote in writing, so you can compare it with others.

How soon can someone attend?

This website cannot promise an arrival time, because it depends on the engineer and how busy they are. Mark your request urgent and say if water or sewage is coming into your home. You can then ask the engineer for a time when they get in touch.

Can I send a request out of hours?

Yes, the request form is open 24/7 for Glasgow and surrounding areas. That describes the form only, not when someone will attend. Mark an urgent job as urgent in the job details.

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