Homebuyer Drainage Survey in Chorlton, South Manchester

Homebuyer drainage survey carried out for a period property purchase, identifying a number of issues potential issues for the buyer.

Location: Chorlton, South Manchester
Service: Homebuyer Drain Survey

Overview

We were instructed by the potential buyer of a five-bedroom period property in Chorlton, South Manchester, following a recommendation from a local estate agent.

The property presented well above ground, but the buyer wanted a clearer understanding of the below-ground drainage system before progressing with the purchase.

A homebuyer drainage survey is particularly important on older or period properties, where drainage systems may have been altered, extended, poorly maintained or affected by age-related defects over time.

Our role was to inspect the accessible drainage network, assess the condition of the pipework, identify any defects, and provide the buyer with clear information before they made a final decision.

What we did

Our team attended site and carried out a CCTV drainage survey of the accessible foul and surface water drainage system serving the property.

During the inspection, we identified several issues within the drainage network, including:

  • No easy access for future drainage maintenance

  • One gully found to be full of FOG deposits and not functioning correctly

  • Multiple displaced joints

  • Multiple areas of root ingress

  • Additional areas of FOG build-up within the system

FOG stands for fats, oils and grease. When these deposits build up inside drainage pipework, they can restrict flow, cause blockages and prevent gullies or drainage runs from working as intended.

The lack of easy maintenance access was also an important finding. Without suitable access points, future cleaning, inspection or repair works can become more difficult, disruptive and expensive.

Outcome

The survey gave the buyer a clear understanding of the condition of the drainage system before committing to the purchase.

Although the property looked impressive above ground, the CCTV drainage survey identified a number of below-ground issues that would require remedial work. The estimated cost of the recommended repairs was in the high single-digit thousands, giving the buyer valuable information for negotiation and future planning.

This project is a strong example of why a homebuyer drainage survey is worth considering before purchasing a property, especially an older or period home.

Everything above ground can look well maintained, but that does not mean the drainage system below ground is in the same condition. A drainage survey can help uncover hidden problems, reduce the risk of unexpected costs, and give buyers greater confidence before exchange or completion.

We are now working with the potential buyer to arrange remedial works should they move ahead with the purchase.

Location

This homebuyer drainage survey was carried out at a five-bedroom period property in Chorlton, South Manchester. We regularly undertake CCTV drainage surveys for homebuyers across Chorlton, Didsbury, Withington, Whalley Range, Stretford, Sale and the wider South Manchester area, helping buyers identify hidden drainage defects before exchange of contracts.

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