Homebuyer Drainage Survey in MIDDLEWICH
CCTV homebuyer drainage survey carried out at a residential property in Middlewich, Cheshire, following concerns around reported subsidence.
The survey was undertaken to assess the condition and performance of the accessible drainage infrastructure and identify whether defects within the drainage system could be contributing to ground saturation or localised movement.
Location: Middlewich, Cheshire
Service: Homebuyer Drain Survey
Overview
We were instructed to carry out a homebuyer drainage survey in Middlewich as part of an investigation into reported subsidence at the property.
When subsidence or localised movement is raised during the purchase process, drainage can be an important area to investigate. Defective drains may allow foul water or surface water to escape into the surrounding ground, while blocked or poorly connected rainwater systems can contribute to ground saturation around the building.
The purpose of this CCTV drainage survey was to inspect the accessible drainage infrastructure, assess the condition of the pipework and identify any defects that could be affecting the performance of the system.
The survey provided the buyer with clear evidence before progressing further with the purchase and helped identify the remedial works required to restore the drainage system to a reliable condition.
What we did
We carried out a CCTV drainage survey using specialist camera equipment to inspect the accessible drainage infrastructure serving the property.
The inspection focused on identifying defects that could contribute to poor drainage performance, water escape, ground saturation or instability.
Our survey included:
Inspecting accessible below-ground drainage runs
Assessing the condition of the existing vitrified clay pipework
Reviewing surface water drainage arrangements
Investigating drainage issues linked to reported subsidence
Identifying structural and service-related defects
Assessing whether localised repairs would provide a suitable long-term solution
Providing recommendations for remedial works
Advising on the need for post-remedial CCTV inspection
Outcome
The survey identified widespread defects throughout the remaining below-ground drainage infrastructure. The existing vitrified clay pipework contained a number of significant structural and service-related issues, including:
Multiple displaced joints
Broken pipe sections
Fractures
Cracking throughout the pipework
Settled deposits
Complete obstruction in affected locations
100% cross-sectional loss in sections of the system
Root ingress affecting the rainwater downpipe
The structural defects may allow wastewater or surface water to escape into the surrounding ground. They may also permit soil ingress, further root penetration and continued deterioration of the drainage system. Given the extent and severity of the defects, localised repairs were unlikely to provide a suitable long-term solution. We recommended that the ageing vitrified clay drainage pipework be excavated and replaced with a modern PVC drainage system.
We also recommended that the existing defective manholes be replaced with suitable modern inspection chambers to provide reliable access for future maintenance and inspection. The root-affected downpipe should be removed and replaced, with the new downpipe correctly connected into the appropriate surface water drainage network. This would help ensure rainwater is discharged away from the building rather than contributing to saturation around the property.
Following the remedial works, we recommended a post-remedial CCTV drainage survey to confirm that the new drainage infrastructure has been correctly installed, is free-flowing and provides a watertight system. This project is a strong example of why a homebuyer drainage survey is important where subsidence, ground movement or drainage concerns are raised during the purchase process. A CCTV drain survey can identify hidden defects below ground and provide the buyer with clear evidence before exchange of contracts.
Location
This homebuyer drainage survey was carried out at a residential property in Middlewich, Cheshire, as part of an investigation into reported subsidence at the property.
We regularly undertake CCTV drainage surveys for homebuyers across Middlewich, Holmes Chapel, Sandbach, Winsford, Northwich, Crewe, Nantwich and the wider Cheshire area, helping buyers identify hidden drainage defects before exchange of contracts, including root ingress, broken pipework, displaced joints, surface water issues and defects that may contribute to ground saturation or localised movement.
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