A drainage investigation looks for the cause of a known problem. It suits repeat blocks, damp near a drain run, odd smells or sunken ground, since each of these can have a hidden cause. A camera travels along the pipe, and the footage shows what is wrong.
A standard CCTV drain survey gives a general view of the pipes, while an investigation starts from your symptoms. It follows the evidence to one fault, and it may cover only part of the drain. That focus keeps the job short.
Clearing the same block again and again costs money and still fixes nothing. An investigation finds the cause, so you can choose a repair. See drain repairs for what comes next.
A camera can find cracks, roots, displaced joints, blocks and sagging sections. It also shows whether a pipe runs where you think it does. Because each fault needs a different repair, finding the right one first matters.
Some faults sit under buildings or paths, so tracing from above can help. Ask the engineer whether tracing is part of the job, since not every visit includes it. A clear plan of the pipe route also helps any later repair.
Your request tells the engineer what you have seen. Say where the symptoms are and when they began, since this helps plan where to start. Photos can help, although the form does not need them.
The camera needs a way in, such as a manhole or an inspection chamber. If you cannot find one, say so. Ask whether another route is possible, for example through a gully.
The camera travels towards the likely fault. It records cracks, roots, breaks and displaced joints as it goes, while some tools can also trace the pipe route from above. Ask what the camera could not reach.
The footage shows the cause and its position. Ask what repairs are possible, and compare two quotes for larger jobs, since repair prices vary. Keep the footage for your records.
The engineer who takes your job runs a separate business, so the engineer sets the price, the arrival time and any guarantee. Use these questions to compare quotes, since answers differ from one engineer to the next. Write the answers down, because a written note helps if the job changes.
less.co.uk gives £300 to £600 for a full drainage investigation. MyJobQuote gives a wider range of £90 to £500 for surveys, with an average of £250. These are UK guide ranges, not Dundee quotes, so real prices may still differ.
Ask what the price covers, since a short, focused investigation differs from a full one. Then ask for the quote in writing before work starts. A written scope stops surprises later.
A survey gives a general view of the drain, while an investigation starts from a known problem and follows it to the cause. The two use the same camera, but the scope differs. Ask which one suits your problem.
Most surveys use a manhole or inspection chamber to get the camera in. If your property has none, ask the engineer whether the camera can enter another way, for example through a gully. The answer depends on the pipe and the equipment.
A camera can often follow a pipe under an extension if it can enter from a nearby access point. Ask the engineer whether tracing equipment can map the route from above, for example when no plan of the drains exists. The result depends on the pipe.
Footage and a written summary can support a claim, although insurers set their own rules. Check your policy and ask your insurer what evidence it wants before you book. Then tell the engineer what you need.