In the past, it used to be really difficult to locate a drain blockage. The whole sewage system or network of pipes had to be excavated to find the source of a blockage and then reinstated before the system could be reused. This is no longer the case however as CCTV drain surveys can now be used to locate the exact point where the drain is blocked.

CCTV surveys: What are they?

If you have a blocked drain your drain maintenance company will insert a camera into the drainage system. This camera is passed down the network of drain pipes and relays the video images directly back to a computer monitor. Using this, the drainage expert can then use a drain mapping system to pinpoint where the blockage is and also determine the cause of the blockage. They will hence be able to decide the course of action needed to remedy the blockage.

The blockage might be caused by an accumulation of waste matter or it could be caused by root intrusion or perhaps a collapsed pipe. If a section of drainage pipe needs replacing however only the small area where the problem lies needs to be excavated, so external disruption can be kept to a minimum.