CCTV Drain Surveys in Cornwall & Devon
A drain camera survey shows exactly what is going on inside your pipes, so you fix the real problem rather than guessing.

Drain keeps blocking? See exactly why on camera.
A CCTV drain survey is a drain camera inspection. Our engineer feeds a small, high-definition camera into your drainage system through a manhole, gully or access point and watches live footage on a monitor as it travels along the pipe. It shows blockages, cracks, displaced joints, root growth, collapsed sections and the general condition of the pipe, all without digging anything up.
Common signs: A drain that keeps blocking after being cleared; Persistent bad smells with no obvious cause; Damp patches, subsidence or cracks near a drain run.

What a CCTV drain survey finds

Cracks & displaced joints
Damage that catches debris and lets roots and water in, located to the metre.
Read the guide →

Root ingress
Roots inside the pipe, the most common cause of recurring blockages in older homes.
Read the guide →

Collapses & bellies
Sections that have dropped or collapsed, found before they flood your home.
Read the guide →
Real results: blocked vs cleared

BeforeAfterThe same length of pipe on camera: root growth and scale before, clean bore and clear flow after.
How we survey a drain: our 4-step process
1
Assess the access
We find the manholes, gullies and access points, clean the run if needed so the camera can see, and plan the route through the system.
2
Camera survey
A high-definition camera travels the pipe while our engineer watches live footage, noting blockages, cracks, roots, joints and the pipe's condition.
3
Locate the problem
Anything we find is measured and its position pinpointed, so a repair can target the exact spot rather than guessing where to dig.
4
Report and advise
You receive a clear written report and the video footage, with plain recommendations for any cleaning or repair, and no pressure to go ahead.
Why locals choose DCI for CCTV drain surveys
- Clear footage and reports: high-definition cameras and a written report you can actually understand, with the video included
- Homebuyer and insurance ready: reports written to support a property purchase, renovation plans or an insurance claim
- Diagnose and fix in one visit: jetting and repair kit on the van, so a problem found on camera can often be dealt with straight away
- Local specialists: based near Saltash, covering Plymouth, south east Cornwall and south and west Devon, not a national franchise
What it costs: a CCTV drain survey
A survey is priced on how much drain there is to look at and how hard it is to get the camera in. A single run from one manhole on a house is quick; a whole system with several access points, or a commercial site, takes longer. If the pipe is blocked or silted the run needs clearing before the camera can see, and a full report for a house purchase or insurance claim takes more time to prepare. We agree a clear price before we start, so there are no surprises.
CCTV drain surveys across Plymouth, Cornwall and Devon
We carry out drain camera surveys in Plymouth, Saltash, Liskeard, Bodmin, St Austell, Tavistock, Ivybridge, Totnes, Torquay, Newton Abbot and Exeter, and anywhere within about 50 miles of our Tideford base. See every area we cover.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on how much drain there is to survey, how many access points we work from, whether the run needs clearing first and what kind of report you need. Rather than quote a headline figure that changes on the day, we look at the job and agree a clear price before we start, with no hidden extras.
It is well worth it, especially on older properties. A standard homebuyer survey does not look inside the drains, and a collapsed or root-damaged run can be one of the more expensive things to put right after you move in. A CCTV survey gives you the facts before you exchange, and evidence if you need to negotiate.
A single run on a typical house usually takes around an hour on site. A full survey of a whole property with several access points, or a commercial site, can take half a day. We tell you what to expect when we book it, and the report follows once the footage has been reviewed properly.
Almost always. The camera shows what is actually inside the pipe, whether that is a build-up of grease, roots coming in through a joint, a displaced or cracked section or a low spot where silt collects. Once we know the cause we can recommend the fix that will stop the blockage coming back.
Yes. Our reports and footage are regularly used to support insurance claims for drainage damage, because they show clearly what has failed and where. If you think an insurer may be involved, tell us when you book so we can make sure the report records everything they will want to see.
Want to know what is really going on in your drains?
Call 07418 000 420 or get a quote online.
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