CLEARMASTERS
drain cameras
with footage
on request
call-outs
in drainage
The basics
What is a look and see inspection?
Sometimes you don’t need a full survey. You just want to know what’s causing a problem. A look and see inspection uses the same CCTV camera as a full survey, but it’s quicker and lower cost, because there’s no recorded footage or written report.
If the camera shows something that needs recording properly, we can move up to a full CCTV drainage survey. Many of the problems we find can be fixed with high-pressure jetting or drain lining.
We do this work across Surrey, West Sussex, East Sussex, Kent, Hampshire and London, with tankers and engineers in each area most days.
Our engineer looks at the problem drain on the monitor with you and explains what they can see there and then. If they find something serious, we can upgrade to a full survey.
Compare
Look and see or full CCTV survey?
Both use the same camera. The difference is what you get to keep afterwards.
| Look and see | Full CCTV survey | |
|---|---|---|
| Camera inspection of the drains | ||
| Engineer tells you what they found on the day | ||
| Recorded video footage | ||
| Written report with photos | ||
| Drainage plan | ||
| Suitable for buying a home, insurance or disputes | ||
| Quicker and lower cost |
On the day
What happens on a look and see
Find the access point
We lift the nearest manhole or inspection chamber.
Camera check
A short camera inspection of the problem drain.
We show you
You can watch on the monitor as we look.
On-the-spot advice
We explain what we found and what we’d recommend.
Why Clearmasters
Why choose us for a look and see?
Our engineers unblock, survey and repair drains every day, so they can usually tell you what’s wrong, and what it will take to fix, straight away.
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 to book
Often available at short notice.
What our customers say
Checkatrade
From 134 reviews · Read them
From 63 reviews · Read them
Scores as of September 2026
Questions answered
Look and see FAQs
What is a look and see inspection?
A quick CCTV camera check of a drain, with the engineer explaining what they can see on the spot.
How is it different from a full CCTV survey?
It uses the same camera, but there’s no recorded footage or written report, which makes it quicker and lower cost. For buying a home, insurance or disputes, you’ll need a full survey.
How long does it take?
Usually under an hour, depending on access.
Do I get a report?
No. You get verbal feedback from the engineer on the day. If you need something in writing, book a full CCTV survey.
When should I book one?
When a drain keeps blocking, smells or drains slowly and you want to know why.
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.