Whilst surveying, we have various tools to help us. Our camera has a sonde attached to the camera head; which means we can locate the camera head's exact location above-ground if required, using a Cat scanner.

There are various sizes of "skid" we can use, to raise the camera head to the centre of the pipe being surveyed. This also gives us a clearer view of the pipe.

You can focus the camera head to a specific distance. We keep ours focused to about 6" from the camera head, which gives us a very clear view of any defects found.

Issues / defects found whilst surveying

Whilst surveying in eg. a Vitrified Clay pipe (and less commonly concrete / asbestos cement pipes), we are looking for displaced joints, circumferential / longitudinal cracks and fractures, dropped sections causing a "belly" in the pipe (causing holding water - water or sewage to sit in the pipe, without flowing away), root intrusions (causing failed joints / pipe), scale encrustations (usually at joints causing sewage to get stuck), etc. The estimated lifespan of VC pipes is 60-70 years, therefore the majority of VC pipework has already, or is reaching the end of its life; causing issues.

Whilst surveying in less common Pitch Fibre pipe, we would be looking for "blisters" in the surface - these are usually the start of the pipe deforming. If left, these blisters will usually end up with the pipe deforming / collapsing, causing major blockages. At this point, the main option is excavation and replacement. There is the option to mole the pipes out (reform or cut a new pipe within the pipe), however this is more specialist work and can be expensive.

The majority of uPVC pipes that we survey have far less defects that especially VC pipes contain, however we do find quite a lot of uPVC pipes with "bellys" in the pipe. This is usually down to poor installation techniques.

Pukka Drains do cost for rectifying all defects found in the report that we provide.

Works required as a result of a CCTV Survey

Pukka Drains can do all works to rectify any defect found whilst performing a CCTV Survey.

This includes re-lining a pipe; drain or pipe lining as it is commonly referred to. We can do both types of lining : CIPP Lining or Localised Patch Liners. Please refer to the Drain / Pipe Lining page of our website for further information.

If lining a pipe is not an option, we would excavate and replace a failed pipe with new uPVC of the equivalent diameter. Sometimes excavating and replacing failed pipe is cheaper than lining the pipe, if the pipe is shallow. The majority of works will be lining though, as it is obviously a no-dig technology; resulting in no disruption or "mess" that excavations would create.

The majority of minor works required is HPW Jetting to remove scale encrustations from the pipes. This is a result of years of scale build-up from various "items" flowing down the pipes.. We often find joints that are displaced, causing scale build-ups. This means that sewage gets caught on the scale, causing blockages.

The easiest way to fully de-scale the pipes with HPW Jetting, is by using a "Plough" Jetting nozzle. It literally ploughs through the scale, loosening and removing it. A very effective way of fully removing the scale.

Book a CCTV Survey

To book a CCTV Survey or Inspection, please call us on 07730 751 943, 01903 531 241, email us at info@pukkadrains.com, or by using the form on the Contact Us page. 

If you email us, we can email back a list of pricing options and details about our CCTV Surveys.