Pipework video inspection

When to do a video inspection

• A blockage recurs after clearing
• Before renovating a bathroom or flat
• To assess pipework condition when buying property
• After excavation work or if a dip is suspected
• To prepare a housing association's repair decision

What the inspection shows

• Dips and incorrect falls in the pipework
• Cracks, broken sections and shifted joints
• Root ingrowth in an outdoor main
• Sediment, grease and scale
• The exact location and depth of a blockage

Who the inspection is useful for

For housing associations planning repairs and preparing budgets, for house owners finding the cause of recurring blockages, for property buyers before a transaction, and for business clients documenting a building's technical systems.

How the inspection proceeds step by step

• Agreeing a time and ensuring access to the inspection hatch or manhole
• If needed, jetting the pipework beforehand so the camera can see the pipe walls
• Inserting the camera and passing through the pipework up to the connection point
• Recording problem spots and marking their location
• Explanation and recommendation for next steps — jetting, repair or replacement

What affects the price of a video inspection

Price is affected by the length of the run being inspected, accessibility, and whether the pipework needs jetting beforehand. Inspecting an apartment building's riser is usually more extensive than checking a single flat's outlet. The price is confirmed before work starts, once we know the run's length and condition.

Apartment building vs. house video inspection

In an apartment building, a video inspection helps the association justify a repair decision and share the cost fairly, since the condition of the whole riser is visible. In a house we usually focus on the property's own run up to the connection point, giving the owner a clear picture of whether jetting is enough or bigger excavation work lies ahead.