Big cities like London have large and complex drainage systems. CCTV is the best way to keep check on drains without having to dig them up. CCTV means closed circuit television. This provides high resolution picture quality that is used for finding faults. The videos are used to detect faults in the drain or piled up debris.

Many big factories in the oil and gas industries use this method for cleaning drains and sewers. A camera can be easily inserted into a pipe to assess the problem within. Locating the point of breaking or blockage was a big task previously. CCTV inspection has made it easier to detect every little fault in a drainage system.

CCTV has made it possible to get accurate information which helps you to make better decisions. This also helps in saving money. You do not have to waste funds unnecessarily. This method allows cleaning to take place at required spots only. Using CCTV is a good option to treat a specific problem instead of going for a major cleanup every time.

How does CCTV work?

CCTV cameras come with headlights to illuminate the blockages. These cameras are remote controlled and thus give a good 180? view. They can travel in pipes as thin as 25 millimetres. Borescopes are attached to the camera. The borescope cannot pan or tilt.

Many times, conflicts occur over the issue of managing drainage systems. People can be victims of ignorance. They do not know the types and kind of drainage systems that exist in London and surrounding places. The confusion is often over whose drain it is. There are several types of drainage system. In many areas they are council managed whilst in others they are managed by citizens themselves.

The drainage system is an alignment of parallel and perpendicular pipelines. These pipelines take the debris from different houses to the sewer. The sewer is then connected to the main drainage systems, often under the main roads. Sometimes the main drainage systems run parallel to the road.

The drainage systems are broadly classified as private drainage, private sewer and public sewer. The private drainage is the responsibility of homeowners to look after. The bills and repair expenses are borne by owners. The private sewer belongs to society or clusters of seven or eight properties. They have sewer pits where all the waste gets collected. The pit has immediate connection into the main drainage.

Huge pipelines are referred to as public drainage. They fall under the direct authority of council or a municipal corporation. Many times, the job is outsourced to drain maintenance companies who maintain these sewer lines. They use the latest gadgets and machinery to maintain the drainage systems. These pipelines vent to the national pipelines where the debris is collected and deposited at appropriate places.

Irrespective of the type of sewer system, people have to work together to maintain sewer systems. You should not hesitate to call expert drain cleaners when needed.

In London, drain maintenance is the homeowner’s responsibility. Homeowners maintain the drainage system up to the point where it joins the sewer. There is an exception for houses built before 1937. For such homes, the sewer and the drain system is maintained by the council itself.

Drainage systems are pipelines with inspection chambers at each joint. The inspection chambers are always covered by manhole covers. A single stack is the most common system that connects all waste water pipes.

Do not put strong or hazardous chemicals into the system. Substances such as paints, paint thinners, solvents, pesticides and flammable liquids can kill the bacteria which provide the water treatment. Furthermore, these chemicals can flow through the soil and contaminate surrounding ground water.

Do not use grease or any oil based solvent near drainage systems. The drainage system should not be used to dispose of products like cigarette butts, paper towels, or disposable nappies.

It is a common sight to see floods on the streets of London. These problems can be avoided by simple actions taken by you. You need to be extra alert and responsible for your drains. If the situation is bad, you should not hesitate to call the experts for a quick solution.

Here are some ways to avoid floods and maintain your surroundings without causing much trouble to the neighbourhood.

CCTV survey

At the first hint of a drainage problem, it is often advisable to have a CCTV survey carried out. Rather than just trying different means to clear the blockage, it is a good idea to identify what the cause of the problem actually is. A CCTV survey will help identify any blockage or leaks in a pipe and from there appropriate action can be taken.

In most cases, it is advisable to make use of professionals to clear drain blockages. These companies will have the best tools for the job and can guarantee that your drains will be cleared with a minimal amount of fuss and no damage to the drain itself.

The drain jetting method makes use of special plumbing equipment. Drain jetting means using water of high pressure to bring the drain back into good condition. In this process you will find no need to replace the existing drainage pipe.

This entire process is reasonable and cost effective in nature as this equipment makes the task easier. This jet vacuum method does not require a lot of exertion. The gear is specialised and refined in nature. It makes use of the latest technology to force high pressure heated water through the drain. This helps in getting rid of congestion.

Very often, home owners do not pay careful attention to their drainage system. If proper care is not taken, a minor issue grows into a big one. The cost which would be incurred in solving the big issue may be too much.

To treat sewage problems, you need sufficient knowledge and understanding about the equipment that you can use. A drain has various causes for blockage such as grease, deposits, food, hair etc. To avoid unwanted problems to the household and to maintain hygiene, it is important to clean the drain at regular intervals.

There are easy and simple ways to unblock a drain. But regular blockages and accumulation of dirt just needs a little efficient drain jetting equipment and professional drain cleaners.