Client Background
A client recently contacted us requesting a CCTV drain survey for her seven-bedroom home on the prestigious St George’s Hill estate in Weybridge. Her property, built in the 1800s, is a high-value estate with significant historical importance. Given the age of the property and its value, Elizabeth wanted to ensure that the drainage system was in good condition to prevent any future issues that could affect the integrity and value of her home.
It is not uncommon for older properties to run into drainage problems, as drainage systems can wear down over time and become susceptible to pipe corrosion and cracks. Materials used in older drainage systems, like clay or cast iron, can be prone to corrosion and external damage. A frequent CCTV drain survey can spot these problems before they escalate.
What we did
An engineer was called out to Elizabeth’s home and conducted an initial assessment. This allowed us to identify the manhole and any problem areas. As the pipes were fairly large, 225mm, we could set the camera on a crawler that allows our engineers to wheel the camera through the pipes via a remote control.
Findings
During the CCTV drain survey, we discovered that roots from a tree adjoining the property had penetrated and broken the municipal sewer main. This root intrusion had caused significant damage to the sewer main and needed immediate attention.
After showing our report to Elizabeth, we began the replacement of the municipal sewer main. Our trenchless technology meant that we were able to replace the sewer line without digging up Elizabeth’s garden or causing any further disruption. The tree roots were cut back without impacting the plant, and the remaining roots were removed from the pipes.
Client Feedback
Elizabeth expressed her relief and appreciation for our thorough and professional service. She valued the detail of our report and the speed at which we fixed the tree root problem.
Drain problems in historical buildings can be difficult to fix, costly, and damaging to old infrastructure. Regular CCTV drain surveys aim to pick up on issues before they put your property at risk.
