CLEARMASTERS
drain cameras
with footage
on request
call-outs
in drainage
The basics
What is a CCTV drainage survey?
A CCTV drainage survey is the only way to see inside your drains without digging them up. We send a waterproof HD camera through each pipe, recording its condition and measuring the distance to anything we find.
If you only need to know what’s causing one problem, a quicker look and see inspection may be enough. Buying a property? Our home buyers drain survey is written for you and your solicitor.
We do this work across Surrey, West Sussex, East Sussex, Kent, Hampshire and London, with tankers and engineers in each area most days.
It shows the problems you can’t see from above: cracks, roots, displaced joints, fat build-up and collapsed pipes. You get the footage, stills and a written report explaining what’s wrong and what we’d recommend.
Watch it happen
See a CCTV survey in action
The camera travels from one manhole to the next, and every defect is logged with its distance along the pipe.
| Distance | What we found | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| The camera is on its way… | ||
An example of how defects are recorded. A real report includes stills, video and a plan of the drains.
When you need one
When should I get a drain survey?
Buying a property
Find out what you’re buying before you exchange. See our home buyers surveys.
Repeat blockages
Find out why your drains keep blocking, rather than just clearing them again.
Smells, damp or subsidence
A leaking or broken drain can cause all three.
Before building work
Check the drains before an extension, driveway or landscaping goes over them.
Insurance claims and disputes
Clear evidence of the condition of a drain, and what’s caused the damage.
Commercial maintenance
Planned surveys to keep busy drainage systems in good order.
Common problems
What goes wrong with drains?
A CCTV survey shows us exactly what’s wrong, and that decides whether a pipe can be lined or needs digging up.
Cracks and fractures
Often lined, with no digging.
Displaced joints
Small movement can be lined. Badly displaced joints usually need digging out.
Root ingress
Roots cut out first, then the pipe is usually lined.
Collapse or deformation
Usually needs excavation and a new section of pipe.
On the day
What happens on a drainage survey
Access
We locate and open the manholes and inspection chambers.
Camera survey
The HD camera travels through each drain, recording as it goes.
Findings
We note each defect and its position, and can map the layout if you need it.
Report and advice
You get the report and footage, and we talk you through the results.
Why Clearmasters
Why choose us for your drain survey?
We’ve been surveying and repairing drains for 34 years. Our reports are clear, and our recommendations come from people who fix drains every day.
Ask us a questionClear evidence
HD footage, stills and a plan, so you can see exactly what we saw.
Plain-English reports
No jargon. We tell you what’s wrong, how serious it is and what we’d do about it.
We can fix it too
Lining, excavation and repairs by the same team, so the survey leads straight to a solution.
Quick turnaround
Reports usually with you within 48 hours.
What our customers say
Checkatrade
From 134 reviews · Read them
From 63 reviews · Read them
Scores as of September 2026
Questions answered
Drainage survey FAQs
What is a CCTV drainage survey?
A camera inspection of your drains. It identifies blockages, cracks, root ingress and collapsed pipes, and you get a full report with video evidence.
How long does a drainage survey take?
Most domestic surveys take one to two hours, depending on property size and access. Larger or more complex commercial systems take longer. Reports are usually with you within 48 hours.
What’s in the report?
A description of every drain surveyed, each defect and where it is, stills and footage, and our recommendations. We can add a drainage plan if you need one.
Can I use the report for insurance?
Yes. The report and footage give clear evidence of the drain’s condition, which you can share with your insurer, solicitor or lender.
Do you do emergency inspections?
Yes. If you’ve got flooding or repeated blockages, we can carry out an urgent inspection to find the cause.
Is a survey the same as a look and see?
No. A look and see is a quicker check with verbal feedback. A full survey gives you recorded footage and a written report.
Got a different question? Call 03333 233566 or send us a message.
Related services
Fully accredited & compliant
We're independently vetted and certified so you can trust who you're letting onto your site.
SafeContractor
Health & safety pre-qualification accreditation, verifying our processes meet recognised safety standards.
RISQS
Railway Industry Supplier Qualification Scheme — approved to work safely within the rail industry supply chain.
Achilles UVDB
Utilities Vetting Database membership, confirming we meet the utilities sector's supply chain standards.
Trading Standards Approved
Vetted and approved under the local authority's trusted trader scheme for honesty and fair dealing.
NADC Member
Members of the National Association of Drainage Contractors, the UK trade body for the drainage industry.
Registered Waste Carrier
Registered with the Environment Agency, so your waste is handled and disposed of fully within the law.