Insurance Claims Validation – Woking Warehouse Complex, Woking
Our drainage experts were recently called to carry out a CCTV drain survey at a Woking industrial warehouse complex, home to several large-scale storage and distribution companies. It had been in operation for over a decade and was managed by Alan, a seasoned property manager. Alan’s day-to-day responsibilities involved overseeing the upkeep of the warehouses and ensuring that everything ran smoothly for the businesses leasing the units.
One rainy autumn afternoon, Alan received an urgent call from one of the tenants, a large logistics company that operated out of one of the largest warehouses on the site. Water had started seeping into the warehouse, and it was getting dangerously close to the pallets of expensive consumer electronics stored inside. The company’s operations manager was understandably panicked, fearing that the water damage could destroy valuable goods worth thousands of pounds.
Alan immediately dispatched his maintenance team to investigate, but they quickly realised the problem was more severe than they could handle. The drainage system that served the entire warehouse complex seemed to be blocked, preventing rainwater from flowing away from the property. The backup had caused water to overflow and flood part of the warehouse.
The damage was significant. Several pallets of electronics had been ruined, and the logistics company was preparing to file an insurance claim for the damages. Alan knew that the first step in dealing with the claim was to determine the root cause of the drainage failure.
He needed to prove to the insurance company that the flooding wasn’t due to negligence or poor maintenance on the part of the complex. With the claim involving potentially large sums of money, the insurance company would be thorough in its investigation, and Alan needed to ensure that all evidence was in order.
This is when Alan decided to call in Your Drain Experts for a CCTV drain survey. He had worked with them previously for routine drainage maintenance and knew they could provide the detailed report needed to validate the insurance claim.
Within 48 hours of contacting us, our drain surveyors arrived on the site in Surrey, with their CCTV equipment. Alan was impressed by our efficiency and quick response, especially considering the urgency of the situation. The CCTV drain survey would allow them to inspect the entire drainage system without the need for any invasive digging or disruption to the tenants.
Our technicians fed a high-resolution camera into the drainage system, beginning their inspection near the area of the flood. Alan and the tenants watched as the camera travelled through the pipes, revealing the condition of the system in real time. The footage was clear, and it didn’t take long to uncover the issue.
A significant blockage had formed in one of the main drainage pipes that serviced the warehouse complex. The blockage was caused by a buildup of silt, debris, leaves, and small stones that had likely accumulated over several years. This debris had partially blocked the pipe, reducing its capacity to handle large volumes of water, especially during heavy rainfall.
The CCTV survey also revealed that sections of the drainage system were damaged due to tree roots growing through and general use over the years. These cracks had allowed soil and small rocks to enter the pipes, contributing to the blockage.
The technicians explained that while the complex’s drainage system had generally been well-maintained, the cracks and blockages were not the result of negligence. Instead, they were caused by natural wear and tear, something that could happen to any property over time. This information would be crucial for Alan when dealing with the insurance company, as it demonstrated that the flooding was not due to any failure on the part of the warehouse management, and he had a second opinion to prove it.
After completing the survey, our drain technicians provided Alan with a detailed report, including footage from the CCTV inspection, photographs of the blockages and cracked pipes, and a thorough explanation of the findings. The report clearly outlined that the flooding was a direct result of the blockages and damaged pipes, which had developed gradually over the years.
Alan passed the report to the insurance company as part of the claim process. The evidence provided by the CCTV drain survey played a critical role in validating the claim, as it proved that the flooding was caused by a drainage system failure beyond the control of the warehouse management. The insurance company approved the claim, allowing the logistics company to be compensated for the damaged goods.
In the meantime, Alan worked with our drainage experts to carry out the necessary repairs. Using high-pressure water jetting, they cleared the blockages from the drainage system, restoring its full capacity. The damaged sections of the pipes were then repaired using a no-dig relining technique, which strengthened the pipes and prevented further debris from entering the system.
Reflecting on the experience, Alan said, “When the flooding happened, I was worried it might turn into a long, drawn-out battle with the insurance company. But thanks to Your Drain Experts, we were able to get clear, undeniable evidence of the drainage issues causing the problem. Their CCTV drain survey was thorough, and their report made all the difference in getting the insurance claim approved. They also handled the repairs quickly, so we could avoid any further issues down the line. I’d highly recommend them to anyone facing drainage problems or dealing with an insurance claim.”
