Blog>Expert Advice>Why you should get a drain survey before buying a house
Last updated: 29 August 2024
Why you should get a drain survey before buying a house
A drainage survey is an inspection of a property's drains and pipework, which is well worth checking before you buy your new home. Read on to find out if a pre purchase drain survey is necessary and what this inspection involves.
What is a drainage survey when buying a house?
A drainage survey is a thorough inspection of a building’s drains and pipework. This detailed investigation helps home buyers discover the condition of their future home's drainage system.
A drainage survey is not part of a homebuyers survey, but is highly recommended to get as an extra.
The following pipework issues can be found during a drainage survey:
Leaks
Pipe blockages
Drain failure
Corrosion
Cracked pipes
Tree roots growing into pipework
Collapsed pipes
During the survey, a camera is inserted into the drainage system. The waterproof camera is carefully moved through the pipes and captures high-definition footage inside the drains.
Following the inspection, a drainage survey report will be compiled. Home buyers can learn a lot about the condition of their future property's drains by investing in a professional drain survey.
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Is it worth getting a drainage survey before buying a house?
A drain survey is not included in a standard house survey. Property surveyors do not have the tools and experience to provide a thorough drain inspection.
A professional drainage survey is an additional inspection, but it can be worth the extra costs for peace of mind. This thorough survey reveals any issues with a property's drainage systems and helps home buyers avoid potential unexpected repair costs in the future.
Benefits of having a drain survey before buying a house
There are many benefits to hiring a professional to perform a drainage survey before you buy a house. A pre-purchase survey can help you avoid any unwelcome drain-related surprises after you've moved into your new home, and you may be able to renegotiate on price.
Here are some reasons to get a drain survey before buying:
Discover hidden damage
Specialist CCTV cameras can detect problems deep in a property's drainage systems. Sometimes, damage can be present before any signs of a problem are noticed.
For example, areas of pipes may show signs of corrosion before a leak occurs. This damage can get worse over time and cause pipes to fracture, crack, or collapse.
Prevent future problems
A drainage survey report typically includes expert advice on necessary repair work. Fixing these problems as soon as possible can help homeowners avoid more serious pipe damage in the future.
A survey will give you a better understanding of the condition of a property's pipework. You will also be able to incorporate any necessary repair work into your budget and avoid unexpected costs later on.
More mortgage and insurance options
Certain mortgage lenders require a drainage survey before approving a loan. Property insurance providers may also offer a discounted rate if your home's pipes are inspected professionally.
What does a drainage survey show?
CCTV cameras and specialist technology are used to capture the current condition of a property's drains. Once all footage has been recorded, a detailed survey report will be created.
Professional surveyor reports vary but often include the following:
Photos and video footage captured by the waterproof CCTV cameras
A drain map showing the layout of the property's drains and sewers
Details of which pipes and drains are your responsibility if repairs are needed
An outline of the current condition of a property's pipework. For example, the surveyor will provide details of any damage found during the inspection
Recommendations for future repair work
How much does a home buyers drainage survey cost?
The average cost of a basic CCTV drainage surveyis £160. If you also want a full survey report, this can increase to £275.
For larger properties, the average cost of a CCTV drain survey is£400.
CCTV drain survey: Cost breakdown [year]
Experiencing poor drainage can be a real pain for homeowners, and dealing with it means understanding the problem. That’s where CCTV drain surveys can help. In this guide we look at the average CCTV drain survey cost in the UK.
Key takeaways
A pre purchase drain survey will detect any pipework faults before you commit to buying a house
A drainage survey is not included in a standard house survey
This inspection involves recording the inside of a property's drainage system with cameras
A drainage survey can detect the following: leaks, cracks, corrosion, collapsed pipes and more
The average CCTV drain survey price is £160
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See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job
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