CLEARMASTERS
drain cameras
with footage
on request
call-outs
in drainage
The basics
Why get the drains surveyed when you buy?
Buying a home is one of the biggest things you’ll ever spend money on, yet a standard building survey rarely looks inside the drains. Problems underground can go unnoticed until after you’ve moved in, and then they’re yours to pay for.
If the property isn’t on mains drainage, add a septic tank survey, which checks the tank, where it discharges and whether it meets the rules. If we find damage, we can quote for drain lining or excavation and replacement so you know the cost before you buy.
We do this work across Surrey, West Sussex, East Sussex, Kent, Hampshire and London, with tankers and engineers in each area most days.
A home buyers drain survey shows you the condition of the drains before you commit. If we find a problem, you can ask the seller to fix it, negotiate on the price, or walk away.
On the day
Where a drain survey fits in your purchase
Offer accepted
Book the drain survey at the same time as your building survey.
Survey day
We survey the drains. The seller or agent just needs to give us access.
Report
You get the footage, a written report and our recommendations.
Before you exchange
Use the findings to ask for repairs or renegotiate, before you’re committed.
What you get
What’s in a home buyers drain report?
Clear enough for you, detailed enough for a builder to quote from.
| Run | Finding | Action |
|---|---|---|
| MH1 to MH2 | Roots at a joint, 6.2 m | Repair |
| MH2 to sewer | No defects | None |
| Kitchen to MH1 | Fat build-up | Clean |
- 1Property and survey detailsWhat was surveyed, when, and from which access points.
- 2Drainage planWhere the drains run, the manholes and where it all connects.
- 3FindingsEvery defect, with its distance along the pipe, and what should be done about it.
- 4Photos and videoStills of anything we found, and the footage of the survey.
- 5RecommendationsPlain-English advice on repairs, so you can get quotes or negotiate.
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.
Why Clearmasters
Why choose us for your home buyers survey?
We survey drains for buyers across the South East every week. Our reports are clear, and if there’s a problem, we can quote to fix it, so you have real figures to negotiate with.
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.
Fits your timescale
We know purchases move fast. Reports usually within 48 hours.
What our customers say
Checkatrade
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Scores as of September 2026
Questions answered
Home buyers survey FAQs
What is a home buyers drain survey?
A CCTV survey of a property’s drains before you buy it. It shows up blockages, cracks, roots and collapsed pipes that could be expensive to fix after you move in.
Do I need one if I’m already getting a building survey?
Usually, yes. Standard building surveys rarely look inside the drains, so problems underground can be missed.
When should I book it?
As soon as your offer is accepted, so the results are back well before you exchange contracts.
How long does it take?
Most take one to two hours on site, and the report is usually with you within 48 hours.
What if you find a problem?
We’ll explain it clearly and recommend a repair. Many buyers use the report and our quote to ask the seller to fix it or reduce the price.
The property has a septic tank. Is this enough?
You’ll want a septic tank survey as well, which checks the tank and whether it meets the General Binding Rules. We can do both on the same visit.
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.