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When a CCTV drain survey may be needed
A CCTV drain survey is usually recommended as part of a wider rat control investigation when there is evidence or a strong suspicion that rats are entering the property from the drains or sewer system.
It may also be needed where we suspect a defect within the drainage network beneath the building is allowing rats to leave the pipework and gain access to subfloor areas or other structural voids.
We may also use CCTV where soil, stones or other debris are entering the drainage system and accumulating in an inspection chamber. This can help identify the source of the problem and assess the condition of the pipework before recommending or fitting a rat blocker or one-way valve.
What a CCTV drain survey can identify
A CCTV drain survey allows us to inspect accessible drainage pipework from inside the system rather than relying only on what can be seen from an inspection chamber.
In rat-related investigations, we look for defects that may allow rats to leave the drainage system and gain access beneath or inside the building. These can include damaged or displaced joints, broken pipework, redundant connections and open branches.
The survey can also help identify where soil, stones or other debris are entering the drainage system and whether further work such as jetting, lining, repair or a rat blocker may be appropriate.
Drain jetting to clear soil, stones and deposits
Drain jetting may be recommended where soil, stones, silt or other deposits have accumulated within the pipework or inspection chamber and are restricting flow or preventing a clear CCTV inspection.
High-pressure water jetting can help remove accessible material and clean the pipework so that the drainage system can be inspected more accurately. Root ingress may also obstruct or restrict drains, although more established roots can require additional cutting or repair work.
Where soil, stones or other material continues to enter the drain, clearing it is only part of the solution. A CCTV survey can help identify whether a displaced joint, damaged pipe or other defect is allowing material to enter the system.
Drain lining to repair drain defects
A CCTV drain survey may identify cracks, open joints, displaced sections or other defects that can allow soil, roots or rats to enter the drainage system.
Where the existing pipe remains structurally suitable, drain lining or a localised repair may be used to seal the damaged section without excavating the full length of the drain. This can restore the internal surface of the pipe and close potential access points.
Not every defect can be repaired by lining. More severe displacement, collapse or structural damage may require a different repair method. The CCTV findings allow us to recommend the most appropriate solution for the condition of the drain.
Inspection chamber defect repairs.
Damage within an inspection chamber does not always mean that the whole chamber needs rebuilding. We often find a localised defect such as a hole, broken section, open joint or damaged area around a pipe connection.
Even a relatively small defect can allow soil, debris or water to enter the drainage system. Where the chamber is connected to the sewer network, gaps around damaged pipework or brickwork may also provide rats with an access route.
Where appropriate, the damaged area can be repaired by rebuilding or sealing the affected section, restoring the benching or securing the connection. The CCTV survey helps determine whether a local repair is sufficient or whether more extensive drainage work is required.
Rat blockers and non-return valves
Where rats are entering a property through the drainage system, a rat blocker or non-return valve may be recommended as part of the solution.
These devices are fitted within suitable drainage pipework to allow waste water to continue flowing while restricting rats from travelling back through the drain towards the property.
A blocker is not appropriate in every situation. The drain first needs to be inspected to confirm the route being used, the condition and diameter of the pipework, and whether there are other defects or connections that also require attention.
We also check accessible inspection chambers for simpler defects that may provide an entry point. Where appropriate, missing or damaged rodding-eye caps can be replaced at the same time as fitting a rat blocker or carrying out other drainage repairs.
Where necessary, jetting or repairs should be completed before the device is installed so that the underlying drainage problem is not simply concealed.
CCTV drain survey cost
Our CCTV drain surveys in London start from £375 + VAT. The final cost depends on factors such as the size and accessibility of the drainage system, the number of inspection chambers and how much pipework needs to be surveyed.
Where possible, we will confirm the expected survey cost before attendance. If the inspection identifies a blockage, damaged pipework, defective chamber or another issue requiring remedial work, we can explain the options and provide a separate quotation.
The purpose of the survey is to establish what is actually happening within the drainage system before recommending further work. This helps avoid fitting a rat blocker or carrying out repairs without first confirming the likely route of entry and condition of the drain.
What happens after the CCTV drain survey?
Once the survey is complete, we explain what has been found within the drainage system and whether the evidence is consistent with a potential rat entry route.
Where defects are identified, we can recommend the most appropriate next step. This may include drain jetting, lining, inspection chamber repairs, replacement of missing rodding-eye caps or installation of a rat blocker where suitable.
If remedial drainage work is required, this can be quoted separately. Where the drainage system appears sound, the findings can also help rule out the drains and allow the pest-control investigation to focus on other possible access points.
CCTV drain survey FAQs
The time required depends on the size and complexity of the drainage system, accessibility to inspection chambers and whether the camera can pass freely through the pipework. A straightforward residential survey may be completed relatively quickly, while larger or obstructed systems can take longer.
A CCTV drain survey can identify defects and drainage routes that may allow rats to travel from the sewer system towards a property. We look for problems such as open or displaced joints, damaged pipework, redundant connections, defective chambers and other potential access points.
No. You can book a CCTV drain survey with us even if another pest-control company has identified or suspected a drainage-related rat problem. We can investigate the drainage system and recommend any appropriate remedial work.
If soil, stones, roots or other material prevent the camera from passing through the drain, jetting may be required before the CCTV inspection can be completed. Clearing the drain can also make underlying defects easier to identify.
Yes, depending on the type and condition of the defect. Remedial work may include drain lining, repairs to inspection chambers or connections, replacement of missing rodding-eye caps and other appropriate drainage repairs. More substantial damage may require a different repair method.
Yes. In many cases, a rat blocker or non-return valve can be fitted without first carrying out a CCTV drain survey, provided the inspection chamber and drainage layout are suitable.
A CCTV survey may be recommended where we need to check the condition of a section of drain downstream from the inspection chamber, particularly where pipework runs beneath the building. It can also be useful where damage is suspected and debris may be entering the drain, creating a risk of future blockage.