CCTV Drain Survey to diagnose a smell drain for an Office Block in Epsom
The Office Complex was a modern building situated in the bustling town of Epsom, Surrey. With several companies operating from the building, it was a hub of business activity. Our client, Clare, the property manager, prided herself on maintaining a high standard of cleanliness and ensuring that everything functioned smoothly. Tenants were generally happy with the facilities, and Clare had built a reputation for being a diligent and responsive manager.
However, Clare began receiving complaints from tenants about a foul, sewage-like smell that had been lingering in the building’s common areas and lower floors. At first, the smell was faint, but over the course of a few weeks, it became stronger, especially after heavy rainfall. Employees from various offices reported that the odour was starting to become a distraction, and some even raised concerns about potential health risks.
Clare took immediate action by calling in her regular maintenance team to investigate the source of the smell. They cleaned the building’s drains, checked the plumbing, and even examined the rooftop vents, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Despite their best efforts, the odour persisted, leaving Clare at a loss. It was beginning to affect tenant satisfaction, and she feared it could drive some businesses to relocate if the issue wasn’t resolved quickly.
Realising that the problem was likely originating from the drainage system itself, Clare decided to bring in a professional drainage company who could provide a more thorough diagnosis. She contacted Your Drain Experts, due to our proven experience and advanced drain tech that can pinpoint issues within the drainage system, without causing any disruption to tenants or requiring extensive digging.
We scheduled an appointment to conduct an investigation using a CCTV drain survey within a few days. On arrival at the Surrey location, our technicians explained that the CCTV drain survey would allow them to see deep inside the building’s drainage system using a small camera that would be fed through the pipes. This would help them to identify any blockages, damage, or other issues that could be causing the odour.
The survey began with the technicians accessing the drainage system via external manholes and drain access points around the building. Clare watched in real-time as the camera travelled through the pipes, providing live footage of the inside of the system. As the camera moved deeper into the drainage network, it became clear that something wasn’t right.
The CCTV footage revealed a buildup of waste and debris in several sections of the drainage pipes, particularly in the areas serving the lower floors. In one section, the technicians found a partial blockage caused by a thick layer of fat, grease, and food debris, likely coming from one of the building’s cafés. This blockage had created a breeding ground for bacteria, which in turn was causing the foul odour to seep into the building’s lower levels.
Additionally, the survey uncovered another critical issue – cracks in several sections of the underground pipes. These cracks allowed wastewater to seep into the surrounding soil, which then created a damp environment beneath the building. The combination of leaking wastewater and the buildup of debris in the pipes was the perfect recipe for the bad smell that had been plaguing the office complex.
After completing the survey, our technicians sat down with Clare to review the findings in detail. They explained that while the odour was primarily caused by the partial blockage and bacterial growth, the cracked pipes were exacerbating the issue by allowing wastewater to escape. They recommended two steps to fully resolve the problem.
First, they suggested using high-pressure water jetting to clear out the grease and debris from the drainage system, eliminating the source of the odour. Second, they advised repairing the cracked pipes with a no-dig drain relining technique. This process would seal the cracks and prevent any further leakage, all without the need for excavation, which meant minimal disruption to the tenants.
Clare agreed to the proposed solution, and within a few days, our sewer repair team returned to carry out the work. The high-pressure jetting effectively cleared the drains, washing away the buildup of grease and waste that had been causing the foul smell. The technicians then relined the cracked sections of the pipes, reinforcing them and ensuring that wastewater would no longer seep into the ground around the building.
Once the repairs were completed, Clare monitored the building closely over the following weeks, particularly after heavy rain. The results were clear – the foul odour that had been troubling the tenants was completely gone. The air in the common areas and lower floors was fresh once again, and the tenants expressed their relief at the resolution of the issue. Clare was especially pleased that the problem had been resolved without any major disruption to the businesses operating in the building.
Reflecting on the experience, Clare said, “We’d been struggling with this awful smell for weeks, and it was starting to really impact the businesses in the building. I’m so glad I contacted your team. Their CCTV drain survey found the root of the problem, which turned out to be deeper than we thought. The team was professional, quick, and took care of everything without disrupting our tenants. The drains are working perfectly now, and the smell is gone for good. I’d recommend them to any property manager dealing with a similar issue.”
