Buying a House? Why You Should Get a Drain Survey First

Buying a property is a huge investment. Most buyers focus on the building itself, the roof and the boiler, but one important thing often gets missed: the drains. A CCTV drain survey before you complete can save you from expensive surprises later. Here’s why we recommend one to anyone buying a house in Stockport and the surrounding areas.

Why your homebuyer survey probably won’t cover it

A standard homebuyer survey looks at what the surveyor can see. It usually doesn’t include sending a camera through the underground drains. Problems like cracks, root ingress or a collapsed section can be completely hidden, with no sign at the surface. Once you complete, the private drains are your responsibility, along with the cost of fixing them.

What a drain survey can uncover

• Cracked or fractured pipes
• Displaced or open joints
• Tree roots growing into the pipe
• Partly or fully collapsed sections
• Poor previous repairs
• Scale, fat or debris build-up that will cause blockages
• Pipes running under extensions or driveways

Avoid expensive repairs with early detection

Drainage problems can be among the most costly to put right once you own a property, especially if the pipe runs under a driveway, patio or extension. A drain that looks fine from above may need a repair within months of you moving in.

If the survey finds a problem, you have options. You can ask the seller to fix it before completion, negotiate the price, or decide the property isn’t for you. If it finds nothing, you can move in with peace of mind.

Which properties need it most?

We’d recommend a drain survey for any purchase, but especially for:

• Older houses with clay drains, such as Victorian, Edwardian and 1930s homes
• Properties with large trees near the drain run
• Houses that have been extended, or have had driveways laid over the drains
• Properties where you notice slow drains, smells or overflowing gullies on a viewing

What it costs

• CCTV drain surveys: priced from a starting price that depends on the size of the property, confirmed before we book you in
• Written CCTV report after an unblock: £80 + VAT
• Drain tracing: from £250 + VAT, including mapping
• Commercial sites: from £220 + VAT

If you need a formal written report for your solicitor, lender or the seller, let us know when you book. Full details are on our CCTV drain survey page.

If a defect is found

We’ll explain what we’ve found in plain English and what it would cost to fix. A single crack or open joint can often be sealed with a no-dig patch repair (we do patch repairs only). More serious damage may need an excavation and repair. Either way, you’ll have the facts before you commit.

Book a pre-purchase drain survey

We carry out homebuyer drain surveys across Stockport, Didsbury, Bramhall and the surrounding areas. Call 07375 521027 or WhatsApp us the address and your timescale.