Investigation Survey
Pinpoint the problem — then fix it properly. CCTV investigation surveys across Lancashire.
When something isn't right with your drainage — slow-clearing sinks, persistent bad smells, damp patches with no obvious cause, or a building surveyor's note flagging concern — guessing isn't good enough. An investigation drainage survey by Lancashire Septics Ltd uses professional CCTV camera equipment to look inside your pipe network and find exactly what's going on, whether you're in a terraced house in Preston, a farmhouse outside Clitheroe, or a rural smallholding in the Ribble Valley.
This service is built for situations where a problem is already suspected or confirmed. It goes further than a standard pre-purchase condition survey: our surveyor maps out your drainage layout, records the condition of every accessible run, and codes any defects found against recognised industry standards. Where your property uses a septic tank, treatment plant, or cesspit rather than a mains sewer connection, we also carry out the additional checks required under the Environment Agency's General Binding Rules for domestic sewage discharge — making sure your system is compliant as well as functional.
The investigation process works in three clear stages. Before we arrive, tell us as much as you can about the symptoms you've noticed and the age or type of your system — the more context we have, the better prepared our surveyor will be. On the day, the surveyor attends your property, creates an accurate drainage layout plan, and passes the CCTV camera through the network, logging everything captured on video. Dye testing may also be used where flows need to be traced or confirmed.
Once the survey is complete, the real work of analysis begins. Your assigned surveyor reviews all the footage, identifies each defect, and works with our repairs team to establish the most practical and cost-effective remedy for every issue found. The finished report sets out the drainage layout, a full condition breakdown, details of each defect, and — crucially — proposed solutions alongside indicative repair costs. This typically takes around five working days from survey completion, depending on how extensive the network is. The report is equally useful whether you're a homeowner who needs answers, a buyer awaiting mortgage completion, or a building surveyor requiring a specialist drainage opinion.
If your property runs off a private system such as a septic tank or sewage treatment plant, please let us know when you enquire. We will need to arrange a tank emptying ahead of the survey, and we'll carry out a General Binding Rules compliance check at the same time — a step that's particularly relevant for rural Lancashire properties where private drainage is common and regulations have tightened in recent years. Getting this right from the outset avoids delays and means your report reflects the full picture.
Why choose Lancashire Septics Ltd
- Full CCTV inspection with drainage layout plan included as standard
- Defect coding to recognised industry condition standards
- Compliance check against Environment Agency General Binding Rules for off-mains systems
- Written report with proposed solutions and indicative repair costs
- Suitable for homeowners, buyers, mortgage lenders and building surveyors
What's included
Mains-connected drainage investigation
CCTV survey and condition report for properties connected to the public sewer, covering all accessible private drainage runs from the building to the public sewer boundary.
Off-mains and septic tank investigation
Full investigation survey for properties with a septic tank, sewage treatment plant, or cesspit, including tank emptying coordination and a General Binding Rules compliance check.
Building-surveyor-referred drainage investigation
Specialist survey carried out in response to a building surveyor's recommendation, providing the detailed condition evidence and repair costings that mortgage lenders and solicitors require.
Frequently asked questions
- My building surveyor has said I need a drainage survey — why?
- Building surveyors flag drainage investigations for a handful of common reasons: the pipes may be old and showing signs of deterioration, there may be evidence of damp or subsidence that could be linked to a leaking drain, or the property relies on a private system such as a septic tank rather than a mains connection. Their report will usually indicate which concern applies. We work alongside building surveyors regularly across Lancashire, and our investigation report is designed to give them — and you — the detailed evidence needed to move forward.
- How does pricing work, and who pays for the survey?
- Every investigation survey is quoted individually, because the cost depends on factors such as the size and complexity of the drainage network, whether tank emptying is needed, and the location of the property. Get in touch with us and we'll provide a clear written quote before any work is booked. As for who pays, there's no fixed rule — buyers typically commission and pay for the survey, though when a septic tank or treatment plant is involved, the cost of tank emptying is sometimes shared between buyer and seller as part of negotiations.
- Will the report tell me how to put the problem right?
- Yes — the report is designed to be actionable, not just descriptive. As well as documenting every defect found and its location in the drainage network, it sets out a proposed remedy for each issue and includes indicative costs for the repair work. You'll know what needs doing, why, and roughly what it should cost before you decide how to proceed. If you choose to go ahead with repairs, our installation and groundworks teams can handle that too.
- My property has a septic tank — does that change how the survey works?
- It does, in a couple of important ways. The tank needs to be emptied before our camera can inspect the drainage runs and the tank internals properly, so we'll coordinate that as part of the booking process. We also carry out a General Binding Rules compliance check, as the Environment Agency's rules on how private sewage systems must discharge have become stricter in recent years and affect many rural properties across Lancashire. Both steps are factored into your quote upfront.
- Can drainage repairs be completed before I move into the property?
- In most cases, yes — our repairs team can usually turn around straightforward fixes within a timeframe that fits around a property transaction. For larger or more complex works, it's common for buyers and mortgage providers to agree a retention arrangement, typically allowing a period of several months after completion for the repairs to be carried out. We can advise on expected timescales once the scope of work is clear from the survey report.
- How long does it take to receive the completed report?
- Once the on-site survey is finished, our surveyor analyses the footage, identifies defects, and works up the repair recommendations before the report is compiled. For a typical domestic drainage network this process takes around five working days, though larger or more complex systems may take a little longer. We'll give you a realistic timescale when the survey is booked so you can plan accordingly.
Get in touch
Tell us what you need
Fill in the form and we'll be in touch within one working day with a quote or booking slot. For emergencies please call us - it's the fastest way to get a truck on site.
Phone: +441616947241