The earliest signs of a leaking drain can often appear months before any problems manifest themselves above ground. Most drain surveys now make use of CCTV camera technology which involves sending a small waterproof camera down the drain pipes and recording the images found as it travels along the length of the pipe work.
Cracked or Fractured Pipe Walls
A crack in the pipe wall can be thin and will allow water to leak out slowly into the surrounding soil. However, the same crack could allow ground water to enter the pipe. The crack can be long or short and can be situated anywhere on the pipe walls.
Failed Joints Between Pipe Sections
The joints between sections of pipe can open up over time due to ground movement. Displaced or open joints are one of the more common points for leakage to occur. A CCTV drain survey in Nottingham by experienced engineers will clearly identify any open or displaced joints allowing for targeted repair rather than random excavation.
Root Intrusion as a Leak Marker
Tree and shrub roots search out moisture so the roots entering a drain are normally entering a crack or faulty joint and the camera images provide evidence of the pre-existing damage and the extent of the root intrusion into the drain.
Pipe Deformation and Misalignment
A pipe that has become misshapen whether bowed, sagging or recently settled in the ground will put constant pressure on nearby joints until they begin to leak. The camera will record the degree and angle of any deformation.
Damp Staining and Sediment Deposits
Active seepage of water, which forms visible signs such as pale staining and the formation of mineral deposits and fine silt upon the pipe walls, will be identified by the camera survey and confirmed as a leak. Furthermore, the responsible person for maintenance of different sections of a drain will be established, in order to establish who is responsible for any repair work to affected sections of drain, which are either private or shared. For CCTV Drain Survey Nottingham, see wilkinson-env.co.uk/drainage-services-cctv-surveys-midlands/cctv-drain-surveys/nottingham.
A drain survey film gives you a permanent record of what has been found. This is very useful when coming to an agreement with a contractor as to what needs to be done to put right the problems found.
