CCTV Drain Surveys in Northamptonshire
See exactly what's happening underground — no digging, no guesswork, just a clear answer.
Signs you need this service
- Buying or selling a property — standard surveys rarely check the drains, and hidden issues like cracked pipes or root damage can be costly surprises
- Recurring blockages with no obvious cause — if the same drain keeps backing up after clearing, something further down the line needs a proper look
- Planning building work near existing drains — some extensions and build-overs require a survey before work can start
- Unexplained damp, smells, or subsidence — a survey can rule drainage in or out as the cause
What we do
We feed a waterproof camera into the drain through an existing access point — a manhole or inspection chamber — so there's no digging and no disruption to your property. As the camera travels through the pipework, our engineer watches the footage in real time, checking for blockages, cracked or displaced pipes, root intrusion, and any other defects that wouldn't be visible from the surface.
Most residential surveys take between one and two hours, depending on the size of the property and how many drain runs need checking. Once it's done, you'll get a clear written report with the video footage and photos of anything we found, along with straightforward recommendations — no jargon, no pushing you into work you don't need. If you're buying a property, this report can be used to support negotiations or satisfy a request from your solicitor or mortgage lender.
If the survey does turn up a blockage or a structural issue, we'll talk you through the options on the spot and give you a clear, no-obligation quote for any further work.
Is it actually your problem? We check before you pay.
If a problem turns out to be your local water authority's responsibility rather than a private repair, we tell you before any work goes ahead — and provide a written report you can use to pursue a claim.
How the water authority check worksEvery pipe size, every survey type — including adoption packs
Our CCTV crawler systems cover the full range of pipe diameters, from small domestic waste pipes through to larger surface water and combined sewer pipes. Whatever size pipe you're dealing with, we can get a camera into it and show you exactly what's happening inside.
Adoption packs for local authority and developer projects
If you're a contractor, developer or site manager preparing a drainage system for local authority adoption, we produce CCTV survey packs built to the standard local authorities expect: full crawler footage, defect logging, and a written survey report that can be submitted as part of an adoption application. We work to the same standard whether it's a single domestic survey or a multi-section adoption pack — the difference is just scale and reporting format, not quality.
What's included in an adoption pack
- Full CCTV crawler footage of every pipe section surveyed
- Defect coding and location logging
- A written survey report formatted for submission to the relevant local authority
- Photographic stills of any defects found
Why RCH Drainage
24/7 response
Engineers on standby every day of the year.
Local engineers
Northamptonshire-based teams, not a national call centre.
Transparent pricing
Fixed prices and no call-out fee — agreed before we start.
Areas we cover
CCTV Drain Surveys across Northamptonshire and the wider Midlands, including:
Other services
- Blocked DrainsSinks, toilets, gullies and external drains cleared fast. We find the cause, not just the symptom.
- Drain JettingHigh-pressure water jetting clears grease, roots and silt build-up and restores full flow.
- Emergency Call-OutsEngineers on standby 24/7 for floods, sewage backups and burst drains across Northamptonshire.
- Drain RepairsLocalised patch repairs or full-length pipe lining — diagnosed from CCTV footage first, no unnecessary digging.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a CCTV survey before buying a house?
- It's not required by law, but it's worth doing — especially for older properties, homes near large trees, or anywhere a standard survey doesn't cover drainage in detail. It can save you from an expensive surprise after you've moved in.
- How long does a survey take?
- Most residential surveys are completed in one to two hours. Larger properties or more complex drainage systems may take a little longer.
- What if the survey finds a problem?
- We'll explain exactly what we found, show you the footage, and give you a clear, no-obligation quote if any work is needed. There's no pressure to decide on the spot.
- Will I get a copy of the footage?
- Yes — your report includes the video and photos of anything found, so you (or your solicitor) have clear evidence of the drain's condition.
Need cctv drain surveys now?
Speak to a local engineer or request a callback — we'll get back to you fast.