What is a CCTV Drain Survey?
A CCTV drainage survey is a way of assessing drainage systems using high-tech remote camera technology which records video footage and other useful data which can be used to diagnose drainage issues.
It involves putting a camera down your drainage system to identify any damage to it (as well as possible causes of it). By using a CCTV camera system we can diagnose issues faster and more accurately, with repairs also being more efficient too.
Types of CCTV drainage camera systems
There are two main types of cameras that can be used for your CCTV drain surveys in Birmingham, a robotic crawler and a push CCTV drainage camera.
A robotic crawler camera is controlled through a console inside a specialist van. The camera is fitted on a rugged body, with an electric motor to turn the wheels and drive it through the pipe. With advances in technology, these cameras come in a wide variety of diameters, ranging from 150mm to 2000mm. It is also possible to record HD quality footage with LED lighting fitted. Our cameras also use articulating arms and camera heads which can swivel and rotate, with lenses that can also zoom in and out in order to accurately diagnose the cause of your blocked drains.
A push CCTV drainage camera is more often used when the pipe has a smaller diameter, is vertical, or the pipe could have bends in it which makes it harder for a robotic crawler to be used. These cameras are fitted to a flexible rod at the end, which is stored on a small reel so the camera can be guided along the pipe by the operator, with a monitor installed above the reel to track its progress. These cameras are also fitted with LED lights in order to illuminate the inside of the pipe and pick up the causes of defects.
What type of issues can a CCTV drainage survey find?
A CCTV survey is a quick, non-invasive and cost-effective way to detect drainage problems – whether it be easy to solve the case of blocked drains or a serious drain or pipe collapse.
Our CCTV drainage survey will identify the following issues which you can then repair and put into a planned preventative maintenance (PPM) program to keep your drains functioning for years to come:
- Blockages
- Scale Build-Up
- Signs of poor installation or displacement
- Corrosion
- Wear and Tear
- Leaks
- Displaced joints
- Cracked and collapsed drains
Note: It can sometimes be necessary to clean the drains with jetter washing prior to a CCTV survey in order to clean the pipe which helps to identify if the pipes are cracked when they are scaled up.
CCTV Drain Surveys and Extensions
If you are planning an extension on your property in Birmingham then it is important to look at how the proposed project could affect your drainage. For instance, if your extension goes over or close to a public sewer you may need permission from your sewerage undertaker. Furthermore, if the build is over an existing drain or sewer then pipes could be damaged, causing leaks, blockages, odor and potentially leading to health concerns and environmental damage. Our technology can help give an accurate view of the current drainage system and whether it will need changes prior to the extension build.
CCTV Surveys and Moving House
Another time you may want to consider a CCTV survey is if you are moving into a new house. This will help you to identify any issues with the drainage before purchasing the property which can be very beneficial as you can negotiate with the seller to resolve these issues before purchasing. This could be much better than buying the house outright and waiting for the problems to surface where because you now own the property the issues will become yours to fix, so contact us today to allow us to undertake a drain inspection and check if there are any issues.
If you would like to book a CCTV drain survey in Birmingham, whether it be domestic or commercial premises, then simply call 0121 663 6683 24/7 to speak to one of our friendly staff today. Argo Drains provide emergency drain unblocking and repair services, including CCTV Drain Surveys, from across the West Midlands, as well as driveway and exterior house cleaning and graffiti removal in Birmingham.