Before you ring Questions we get asked
Is the drain mine or United Utilities'?
Most drains serving a single property — up to the point where they join the public sewer — are your responsibility. The public sewer is United Utilities'. We identify the boundary during the survey so you know exactly where your liability ends.
How long does it take?
The survey itself is usually about an hour for a typical Great Sankey semi or terrace. Allow 90 minutes for larger properties or multiple access points.
Do you dig anything up?
No. The camera goes in through an existing cover, gully or, if needed, the toilet. Nothing is dug up, lifted or broken out. There is no mess.
What exactly do I get?
A written report coded to MSCC5 naming each defect, its location to the metre, a severity grade and our recommendation. Plus the full narrated HD video and defect photographs. Everything is sent to your phone the same day.
Will I get a copy of the video?
Yes. The footage is yours — sent to your phone or email the same day. Take it to any contractor for quotes, share it with your solicitor, or keep it for your records.
I'm buying a house — is it worth it?
A RICS HomeBuyer survey does not cover drains. Once you complete, every drain problem becomes yours. A £225 survey before exchange is how you avoid discovering a £4,000–£12,000 repair after you've moved in.
What if nothing is found — is it still worth £225?
Yes. A clear survey is peace of mind before you buy, or confirmation that a recurring blockage is a maintenance issue rather than a structural one. You also get a baseline video to compare against in future.
Can you put the camera down the toilet?
Yes. If there is no accessible manhole or the run can only be reached from inside, we can deploy the camera through the toilet pan. It is a standard access method and leaves no trace.
Do I need to prepare anything?
No. Just make sure we can get to the manhole or access point — clear any covers, pots or stored items. If the drain is completely blocked, tell us so we come prepared.
Can it find tree roots?
Yes — roots are one of the most common findings, especially in pre-war clay pipes. The camera shows exactly where they enter and how far they have spread.
What if I need a repair?
We tell you what the problem is, where it is to the metre, and roughly what a repair should cost. You can use us or anyone else — the report and footage are yours. Nobody digs anything until you have seen the evidence.
Can I use your report to get quotes from other firms?
Yes. The report is coded to MSCC5 — the industry standard — and accepted by solicitors, conveyancers and mortgage lenders. Any drainage contractor can quote from it without doing their own survey.
How much can a drain repair cost?
Honest ranges: a patch liner is typically £500–£1,200. Localised excavation and repair £1,500–£4,000. Full lateral replacement £5,000+. The survey tells you which — if any — you actually need.
Are there any extra charges?
No. £225 is the number. No call-out fee, no trip charge, no extras for locating or marking. Fixed price quoted before we attend.
How much does a CCTV drain survey cost in Great Sankey?
£225, fixed, with no call-out fee. That includes the camera survey of every accessible run, a written report coded to MSCC5 and the full narrated footage, delivered the same day.
