CCTV drain surveys for flats / apartments
CCTV drain surveys are used in homes and businesses with great success. What can be confusing, however, is who is responsible for arranging such a survey, specifically in a flat or apartment. An added problem that comes with drainage issues in a multiple-occupancy building is the amount of people it can affect. Drain problems are inconvenient at the best of times, but when the water supply for 10, 20 or 30 people goes awry, it can cause a huge amount of hassle.
In this article, we will look at who should take responsibility for arranging a CCTV drainage survey in flats / apartments.
Who is responsible for drainage problems in flats?
For problems within the building or within the property boundary, that responsibility lies with the freeholder – this is the person who owns the building outright, as opposed to the individuals who own or rent apartments within the building.
If you have found issues with your drainage system, contact the freeholder (often the landlord) who should take it from there.
How to identify where a drainage issue resides
While you may know you have a drainage issue, you’re not necessarily going to know exactly what or where it is. This is where a CCTV drainage survey should be considered. These inspections are effective and safe ways of inspecting areas of drains that would otherwise not be looked at. Using a remote-controlled crawler camera, drainage engineers can view deep inside the drains and locate any cracks, damage or blockages that may be causing issues.
The CCTV survey allows for a clear overview regarding the general condition of the drains, as well as locating specific issues. This way, it can be determined whether or not a repair or replacement is needed, eliminating any guesswork.
What sort of drainage issues can occur and why?
There are many different types of drainage issues that can be caused through various different means. They vary in severity and some can be fixed relatively easily, but what is important is that they are caught and dealt with early, preventing them from worsening. These issues include:
- Cracked pipes
- Blocked pipes
- Leaks
- Flooding
- Low water pressure
Blocked drains can be caused by acts as simple as putting bits of food down the sink – while the odd grain of rice or piece of carrot might not seem like much, these can easily build up and cause a blockage. The same goes for fats and oils, too.
Cracks and leaks can have a range of causes, including damage from invasive tree roots, freezing and thawing of pipes, as well as general wear and tear.
It can be difficult to notice a drainage issue at first, especially as they can often be slow to make themselves known. For example, a cracked drain can be weeks in the making, only becoming apparent when your taps start dribbling and water starts leaking out of your pipes.
What are the warning signs?
If you know the key signs of certain drainage issues, you’ll be able to react quicker and take the appropriate action before the problems worsen.
Standing water: This is a sign that your drains are backed up. The water that pools near gutters and drains will smell foul, and it’ll harbour countless bacteria, presenting a health risk to those in your property.
Slow draining: If your sinks, baths and showers are not emptying as quickly as usual, you may have a crack or blockage in your drains. These obstructions disrupt the flow of water, which can manifest itself as slow draining plugholes.
Waterlogged lawn: If, even several days after rainfall, your lawn is soggy underfoot, it could be a sign of inadequate drainage systems on your property.
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Express Drainage Surveys are the leading providers of drainage surveys for customers in domestic and commercial sectors. We use state of the art technology, operated by our qualified team to ensure we locate, identify and solve your drainage issue with minimal hassle and maximum efficiency. For more information, get in touch with us today and we’ll be more than happy to help.