Commercial CCTV Drain Survey for a Retail Park rennovation, Walton-on-Thames
We were recently called to undertake a CCTV drainage survey in Walton-on-Thames, at a well-known retail park. The retail park was one of the busiest shopping destinations in the area, housing a mix of retailers, fast-food outlets, and specialty shops.
The retail park was about to undergo a major renovation, which included expanding the parking facilities, updating some of the older buildings, and modernising the infrastructure to support future tenants. The renovation was expected to transform the site, making it even more attractive to retailers and customers alike.
Mark Howden, the retail park’s development manager, was responsible for overseeing the renovation project. The renovation had to go smoothly to avoid delays, budget overruns, or unforeseen complications that could affect the retailers or customers. One critical aspect of the renovation was ensuring that the drainage system, which had been in place for decades, was fit for purpose and wouldn’t cause issues during or after construction.
Mark knew that any renovation project of this scale required a thorough investigation of the existing infrastructure, especially the drainage system. If the drainage pipes were damaged or blocked, it could lead to costly setbacks during construction or worse, cause flooding or water damage once the new facilities were in place. With this in mind, he decided to hire Your Drain Experts, due to our commercial drainage expertise.
Having previously worked with our engineers on a smaller site, Mark knew our drain surveyors were capable of uncovering hidden drainage issues before they became major problems. Given the age of the drainage system at the park, Mark suspected there could be underlying problems that had gone unnoticed over the years, and he wanted to address any potential issues before construction began.
We quickly responded to Mark’s request and scheduled a CCTV drain survey for the following week. Our technicians explained to Mark that the CCTV drain survey would allow them to examine the entire drainage network beneath the retail park. Using a high-resolution camera, we could inspect every inch of the pipes, looking for blockages, cracks, collapses, or any signs of wear and tear that could compromise the system during or after the renovation.
The survey began early in the morning to avoid disrupting the retailers and their customers. Our team of drain engineers arrived with our state-of-the-art CCTV equipment and started the inspection by accessing the drainage system through various manholes located around the retail park. As the camera travelled through the underground pipes, it provided real-time footage of the internal condition of the drainage system, which Mark could watch on a monitor alongside the technicians.
The footage quickly revealed a number of issues that needed to be addressed before the renovation could proceed. In some areas, the pipes were heavily encrusted with waste and silt, which had likely built up over the years due to the retail park’s high traffic and lack of recent maintenance.
This buildup was significantly reducing the capacity of the drains to handle wastewater, which would be a problem once the renovation was complete and more businesses and visitors started using the facilities.
More concerning, however, was the discovery of several cracks and fractures in the older sections of the drainage system. In some areas, the pipes had shifted due to ground movement over the years, causing misalignment and creating gaps where water was leaking into the surrounding soil. These cracks and leaks were serious, as they could lead to larger collapses if left unchecked, potentially causing flooding or damage to the new construction.
We often find that drains in commercial premises are often neglected as different management companies take over. The drains are often the last area to be checked, but can be the most costly.
After completing the survey at the site in Surrey, our drain technicians reviewed the footage with Mark and provided him with a detailed report outlining the condition of the drainage system. They recommended several key actions to ensure the drainage system would be able to handle the increased demand after the renovation.
First, they suggested a thorough cleaning of the entire drainage network using high-pressure water jetting to remove the debris, silt, and buildup that was restricting the flow of water. Second, they recommended repairing the cracked and misaligned pipes using a no-dig drain relining technique. This would reinforce the damaged sections and seal any leaks, ensuring the pipes were strong enough to handle the increased capacity without the need for costly excavation.
Mark was impressed by the thoroughness of the inspection and the clear recommendations provided by our team. Understanding the importance of having a fully functioning drainage system before the renovation began, he gave the green light for the necessary repairs and cleaning.
The team from Your Drain Experts returned the following week to carry out the work. They used high-pressure water jetting to clear the build up of debris and silt from the drainage pipes, restoring the system to its full capacity. Our no-dig drain relining process repaired the cracks and misaligned sections of the pipes. This involved inserting a flexible liner into the damaged pipes, which was then inflated and hardened to form a watertight seal. The entire process was completed without the need for excavation, minimising disruption to the retail park and keeping the renovation project on schedule.
Once the repairs were complete, Mark received a full report from our engineers, including before-and-after footage of the drainage system. The report showed that the drainage system was now in excellent condition, fully capable of handling the increased demand that would come with the renovation and expansion of the retail park.
With the drainage issues resolved, the renovation project proceeded without a hitch. Thanks to the proactive steps taken by Mark and our team, the retail park was well-prepared for its transformation, with no risk of future drainage problems affecting the new development.
Reflecting on the process, Mark said, “The renovation of our retail park in Walton-on-Thames was a huge project, and the last thing we could afford was an unexpected drainage issue that would delay construction. Your Drain Experts came in and conducted a thorough CCTV drain survey that uncovered several problems we didn’t even know we had. They cleaned the system and repaired the damaged pipes quickly and efficiently, allowing us to move forward with the renovation with confidence. Their expertise saved us from potential headaches down the line, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.”
