Thinking of buying a house in London? Don't overlook what's underground.
When we are seeking out a new home to purchase, we tend to think of the big things — where it is, how much it costs, number of bedrooms, perhaps even the garden. But one of the most important checks could be overlooked: the drainage system.
In urban areas such as London, where buildings are 50, 100, or even 200 years old, concealed plumbing defects cost you a fortune. That's where a CCTV Drain Survey is a smart and reasonable step.
A CCTV drain survey uses a small, waterproof camera to probe the state of pipes buried underground. It finds issues like:
You get a video inspection, diagnostics, and (where necessary) repair recommendations — before you purchase the property.
London's pipes are a combination of ancient clay pipes, Victorian brick, and modern PVC — a recipe for disaster. And with heavy foot traffic, congestion, and constant building works in the city, underground pipework can relocate, crack, or slump unexpectedly.
Imagine settling into a new home only to discover water seeping back up in the kitchen or foul odors from the bathroom. One repair job at ground level can set you back £1,000 to £4,000 or more, depending on excavation or pipe replacement being needed.
With a pre-purchase drain survey, you can:
Here at Marcel & Son, we offer professional CCTV drain surveys in London. This is what you can anticipate from us:
Whether purchasing in Greenwich, Bexleyheath, Bromley, Dartford, or other parts of Greater London, we've got it covered.
Not always, but more and more lenders now request them, especially on older buildings or those which have a proven history of drainage issues.
Most surveys take 1–2 hours to conduct, and reports will be published within 24 hours.
Yes, quite a few buyers prefer to watch and see the inspection live.
Before you sign the dotted line, ensure that what's beneath your feet won't come back to haunt you.
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