Pre-Purchase Drain Surveys
Pre-purchase drain surveys for homebuyers
Buying a house? A CCTV survey of the drains before you exchange, so there are no expensive surprises.
Overview
Standard homebuyer surveys don't look inside the drains. A cracked, root-damaged or collapsed pipe under a driveway can cost thousands to fix, and you won't know it's there until it blocks. A pre-purchase CCTV drain survey tells you before you exchange.
We put a camera through the property's drains from the existing manholes, record what we find, and talk you through it in plain English. If there's a problem, you have the evidence to renegotiate the price or ask the seller to fix it first.
Who should get one
- Anyone buying an older property, especially pre-1970s
- Properties with large trees near the drains
- Homes where the seller mentions past blockages
- Properties with extensions built over drains
- Landlords buying to let
What we look for
- Cracks and fractures
- Displaced or open joints
- Tree root ingress
- Collapsed or deformed sections
- Dips where waste settles
- Scale and build-up
Using the results
If the drains are sound, you've got peace of mind. If they're not, you've got footage and a clear explanation of what's wrong and what the fix involves, often a no-dig repair, which is exactly what you need to renegotiate or ask the seller to repair before completion.
FAQs
Pre-Purchase Drain Surveys: common questions
Doesn't my homebuyer survey cover the drains?
Usually not. Most building surveys only look at what's visible from manhole covers, not inside the pipes.
How long does a pre-purchase survey take?
Most homes take one to two hours, depending on how much drainage there is.
Do I need the seller's permission?
Yes, you'll need access to the property, usually arranged through the estate agent. We can work around their viewing times.
Customer reviews
What local customers say
“Jack was recommended to us and came out of his way to sort out our blockage on the same day. He was friendly, quick, honest, efficient and knowledgeable and he charged us a very fair, transparent price. 100% recommended.”
“Great service from AllTime Drain, diagnosed the issue quickly, and cleared my drain efficiently. Professional, friendly, and left everything clean and tidy. Highly recommend!”
“Excellent service. Polite and he fully explained the process. First point of call if the drain is blocked again.”
“Jack was respectful, honest, and professional from start to finish.”
Free estimate
Get a free pre-purchase drain surveys quote
Leave your details and we'll call you back to talk it through and agree a price. Quicker to talk? Call now.
- No call-out fee
- Price agreed before we set off
- No hidden extras on the day
Blocked right now?
Speak straight to Jack. No call centre, no waiting.
Typically with you in under an hour, 7 days, 6am–9pm. No call-out fee, and your price is agreed on the phone before anyone sets off.