Drain Survey Case Studies in Birmingham

The Situation

Consider a homeowner on a tree-lined road in Edgbaston experiencing slow drainage and repeat blockages over 18 months. Each time, a local plumber clears the line with a high-pressure jetter — but the problem keeps returning. A CCTV survey is the way to find out why.

What the Camera Found

• Mature lime tree roots penetrating a clay pipe joint a few metres from the rear inspection chamber.
• A root mass partially occluding the 100mm drain, significantly reducing its effective bore.
• A secondary root intrusion in the lateral connecting to the shared drain at the rear of the terrace.

Typical Outcome

In a scenario like this, a no-dig pipe lining solution can typically eliminate root ingress points without needing to excavate the garden — once a survey has pinpointed exactly where the defects are.

The Situation

Consider a couple purchasing a 1930s semi-detached property in Harborne, whose solicitor recommends a homebuyer drain survey before exchange of contracts. A CCTV survey can typically be booked and completed within a day or two of instruction.

What the Camera Found

• A collapsed section found in the rear garden drain, close to the property boundary.
• The collapse causing partial ingress of surrounding clay soil, restricting the pipe's bore.
• Inspection chamber covers at the rear of the property left unlifted during the standard building survey — the kind of defect a general survey does not check for.

Typical Outcome

A survey report with HD footage like this gives buyers a factual basis to negotiate a reduction in the purchase price covering the cost of repair, rather than proceeding without knowing what they are taking on.

The Situation

Consider a creative-sector business in Digbeth experiencing intermittent flooding of a lower-ground-floor utility area during heavy rain, where initial investigations found no obvious fault. A full CCTV survey of the building's drainage connection to the Victorian-era combined sewer beneath the street is a typical next step to identify the cause.

What the Camera Found

• The property's outlet pipe connecting directly to a large Victorian egg-shaped combined sewer under the adjacent service road.
• A displaced section of the combined sewer causing partial surcharging during storm events.
• Surcharge pressure sufficient to back-flow into the building through the lowest drainage point — a floor gulley lacking a non-return valve.

Typical Outcome

A survey report of this kind can be submitted to Severn Trent Water as evidence for a displaced section of combined sewer, supporting a case for their responsibility to repair it. Fitting a non-return valve to the floor gulley is a common interim measure while remediation is arranged.