12 Feb Do Home Buyers Need a Drain Survey?

Most home buyers carry out a survey before signing on the dotted line in order to make sure there are no hidden problems which will cost them money after they move in. These usually look at the structure of a property, but it’s worth also considering a drain survey, as drainage issues can be very expensive to deal with and are not easily visible because they are underground.

What Is a Drain Survey?

A drain survey is a specialized type of conveyancing survey in which the drainage system of a property is fully assessed to check for any damage. It looks at the structural condition of the drains and pipework, checking for any damage such as cracks and holes which can cause leaks. It will also look at the alignment of the pipes to see if they are properly fitted and will include information on who owns which part of the drainage system. This allows you to know which bits you will be responsible for maintaining.

The surveyor will provide a report which has a map of the full drain system. You can see the layout and details about the state of the drains, and it includes videos and images from a CCTV drain survey. Property buyers who are considering doing a CCTV drain survey Northampton can ask companies such as https://www.wilkinson-env.co.uk/drainage-services-cctv-surveys-midlands/cctv-drain-surveys/northampton for advice.

What Happens After the Survey?

The drain specialists will highlight any issues that need dealing with and make recommendations on whether there are immediate works that need to be done and how likely you are to face problems in future. Drain surveys are valid for five years and should always be kept as a record. You can use any findings to negotiate with the sellers.

Most Common Issues

The most common things which are flagged from a drain survey are blockages, which can be caused by debris and dirt that has built up in the pipes or a tree root that has made its way in. You will also be able to see any cracked or collapsed pipes which will need replacing.