How Often Should Drains Be Inspected?

Most property owners only think about their drains when something goes wrong. However, taking a proactive approach to drain maintenance can save you thousands of pounds in emergency repairs and excavation costs. A CCTV drainage survey is the ultimate preventative tool.

But exactly how often should you have your drains inspected? The answer depends heavily on the type of property, its age, and its usage.

Domestic Properties: Every 5 to 10 Years

For a standard residential home with no history of drainage issues, a CCTV drain survey every 5 to 10 years is generally sufficient. This periodic check ensures that tree roots aren't beginning to infiltrate the pipes and that no minor cracks are developing into major structural failures.

However, there are specific times when a homeowner should immediately book an inspection:

• When buying a new home: A homebuyer's CCTV drainage survey is essential before exchanging contracts to avoid inheriting expensive problems.
• If you experience recurring blockages: If plunging only provides temporary relief, a survey is needed to find the root cause.
• Before building an extension: If you are building over or near a public sewer, water authorities require a survey.

Commercial Properties: Annually

Commercial drainage systems endure significantly more stress than domestic ones. For businesses, a blocked drain can mean closing the premises, losing revenue, and facing health and safety violations. Therefore, commercial properties should have a CCTV drainage survey and professional cleaning at least once a year.

This is particularly critical for:

• Restaurants and Commercial Kitchens: Fats, oils, and grease (FOG) build up rapidly, causing severe fatbergs. Annual inspections and regular high-pressure water jetting are mandatory for compliance.
• Hotels and Leisure Centres: High usage of showers and toilets increases the risk of scale buildup and blockages.
• Industrial Sites: Heavy vehicles can cause ground movement, leading to cracked or collapsed pipes.

Older Properties and Properties with Large Trees

If your property was built before the 1970s, it may have pitch fibre or clay pipes, which are more susceptible to collapsing or cracking over time. Similarly, if you have large trees near your drainage lines, root ingress is a constant threat. In these cases, we recommend a CCTV drainage survey every 3 to 5 years to monitor the condition of the pipes.

The Cost of Inaction

A routine CCTV drain survey is a minor expense compared to the cost of emergency excavation to replace a collapsed pipe under your driveway. By identifying issues early—such as minor root ingress or scale buildup—we can use trenchless repair methods (like drain lining) to fix the problem quickly and cheaply.

Is your property due for an inspection? Book a CCTV drainage survey today or call CleverWorks on 01932 544 095.