Do I Need a Drain Survey When Buying a House?

A homebuyer CCTV drain survey can help you investigate the condition of accessible underground pipework before committing to a purchase. Start by checking what your building survey includes and whether it recommends a specialist drainage inspection.

What Does a RICS Home Survey Check?

RICS home surveys include different drainage checks depending on the level of service. A Level 2 survey includes a visual inspection of accessible drainage chambers where covers can be lifted safely without damage. A Level 3 survey also observes the drains in normal use where practical.

Those checks are not a camera inspection along the inside of the pipes. They may identify visible problems or a need for further investigation, but cannot establish the condition of every underground section. Confirm the scope and any access limitations with your surveyor.

See the RICS Level 2 inspection scope and Home Survey Standard for the differences between survey levels.

When a Homebuyer CCTV Drainage Survey Can Help

A Homebuyer's Drain Survey or Pre-Purchase Drain Survey can help where your surveyor recommends further checks, there are recurring blockages, or drainage routes matter to planned alterations. It can provide evidence for these questions:

• What condition is the pipework in? A CCTV drain camera inspection can record visible roots, displaced joints, cracks and deposits in the sections the camera can reach and view.
• Where do connections lead? Camera observations and agreed tracing checks may help investigate foul and rainwater connections. Unseen connections or an unconfirmed discharge point may need further testing.
• What information is needed for alterations? Agree any drain tracing, location measurements and drawing requirements in advance. A CCTV condition survey does not by itself provide building-control or water-company approval.
• Who is responsible for the drains? Survey observations can help inform enquiries, but ownership and responsibility should be checked through your solicitor, drainage search and water-company records.

Agree Access, Reporting and Extras Before Booking

Arrange access with the seller or agent and tell us about known drainage problems and your purchase timescale. Confirm the inspection scope and whether you need recorded footage, a written condition report or a drainage drawing. Our CCTV survey cost guide explains the difference between a look-see inspection and a reporting survey.

Blockages, standing water or inaccessible chambers can prevent a complete inspection. Any required jetting, access work or return visit needs an explanation of the cost and your approval. The report should record limitations rather than imply that unseen drains have been checked.

Using the Findings Before You Buy

If the CCTV drain survey identifies defects, discuss their significance and any further investigation with your surveyor and solicitor before deciding how to proceed.

Where included in the agreed scope, our drainage condition report records observations using WRc MSCC5 and BS EN 13508-2 coding. Ask separately for an assessment and quotation for recommended drain repairs or drain relining. The evidence can support a discussion with the seller about:

• Whether repairs or further investigation can be agreed before completion.
• Whether the findings affect the agreed purchase price. A reduction is not guaranteed.

Frequently Asked Questions