CCTV Technology and Why It Is Important

CCTV Technology and Why It Is Important

One of the biggest technological advances to affect the drainage repair and maintenance industry is the advent of CCTV survey technology. During both of my repairs, the technicians employed this tool to diagnose the problem quickly without having to undertake a huge excavation project.

If you are going to hire a team of professionals to come in and have a look at your drainage system it is absolutely fundamental that you hire a company who can carry out a CCTV survey. Here is some information on what it involves and how it can help you!

What Is a CCTV Survey?

A CCTV survey involves a team of drainage technicians putting a camera through your piping system in order to diagnose a problem without having to dig underground, or tear down walls, in order to find the pipe in question.

The company I used sent me a PDF with all the details of what they found and a map of the site they surveyed. They even sent a DVD which showed footage of inside the pipes, right up to the problem in question.

Not only does this make the whole diagnostic process much easier, but it means the technicians cannot lie or overstate the problem as you can actually see it.

How Does a CCTV Survey Work?

Because drainage systems are naturally very dark and inaccessible, it is difficult for technicians to actually identify where or what a problem is if there are no obvious outside signs. Short of shrinking yourself down and going on a sewage adventure, the only other option is to get a camera down there.

With my report, the company used an HD camera and explored around looking for signs of blockages, cracks, or even all our collapse. They then noted exactly where it was and then came up with a plan to fix it, all without digging up any ground until they were ready to act!

How Much Does It Cost?

The company I used charged an hourly rate for the service. In a residential property this makes the most sense, as they might be done incredibly quickly meaning the final charge ends up being fantastically reasonable.

However, while doing research for this blog it would appear that some companies charge a flat fee for the service. If you live in a very large house or have a huge commercial property this may be the way to go, as they could spend hours upon hours going around the whole area. However, generally, make sure you find a company which charges an hourly rate, so you end up spending as little as possible.

To conclude, carrying out drainage repairs blind is incredibly difficult and there will have to be significant giveaway signs for the technicians to spot exactly where the problem is. While this might be the case, just to cover yourself make sure you bring in a company that at least has the option of undertaking a CCTV survey.

Welcome to The Plumbing Network

Welcome to The Plumbing Network, a blog about how you can keep your drainage systems in proper working order. This might seem incredibly niche as a topic for a blog, but as someone who has suffered severe damage to my home twice in the last five years, the information that will be discussed in this blog is of the utmost importance!

My Story

Around five years ago the water in my sinks and bath started to drain away more slowly. I didn’t understand what the problem was and tried unclogging the drain through various methods, but the situation didn’t improve. One day, after coming home from a weekend away, my garden was entirely sodden and flooded leading to expensive landscaping and weeks of work.

Around a year ago, after moving house damp began to appear on the ground and walls. I knew there was a leak in the roof and thought it might be related to that, however the damp continued to spread even when it was dry outside. As it turns out, part of my drain had actually collapsed, and the water had been routed to inside my home instead!

From this moment I vowed to maintain my drains (or indeed, have them maintained by professionals), from that point onwards. I’m here to give this information to you, too, so you can avoid what I went through!

Avoid Expensive Professionals

There are some drainage problems which don’t require a professional. For example, a blocked sink often won’t require a full team of experts and all their complicated equipment. It will usually just take some effort, a little time, and the right technique from you!

By fixing your own drains when the problem is simple you can avoid costly callout fees and have everything running in perfect order quicker than they would arrive in the first place.

Recognise Critical Issues

Sometimes, especially when it comes to things as critical as a drainage system, there are jobs which should be left to the professionals. There are a few signs that your drainage might be in a state of disrepair that is beyond your capabilities. Recognising this early and calling in professionals to fix the problem can save you a lot of money and a huge headache in the future.

This blog will cover a few of the problems that will require expert support and can give you some information on what they might do to fix it.

The second time I had a drainage issue, I had a wonderful experience with Gordon Evans Drainage. They kept me in the loop of what was happening throughout the entire process and had the technology to get the job done quickly!

Good Luck!

Drains are something that we take for granted – until they go wrong! I wish you all the best in looking after your drains and hope that you don’t experience the flooding I went through!

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