Planning a home extension is one of the most exciting ways to increase space and value in your property. But before the footings are dug or a single brick is laid, there’s one critical element that homeowners and developers alike must consider: the state of the drainage system beneath your project.

At Premier Drainage Solutions, we’ve seen firsthand how neglecting this stage can delay projects, increase costs, and lead to serious structural issues down the line. That’s why our CCTV drainage surveys are a vital service we recommend to anyone preparing for building work. Here’s why this step is so important.

Understand Exactly What Lies Beneath

Whether you’re extending into your garden or building out to the side, a large number of homes in the UK have main sewers running underneath or near their properties. These aren’t always accurately mapped, particularly in older homes. Our CCTV drainage surveys provide a detailed, real-time video inspection of the layout, depth, direction, and condition of your drainage network—before any construction work begins.

This data is crucial for your architect and contractor, helping them to avoid damaging pipework or placing foundations in the wrong location. It also provides accurate information for planning permission and building regulations, giving your extension the best start.

Identify Drain Ownership and Legal Requirements

Since 2011, UK legislation has made it the responsibility of local water companies to maintain public sewers—even when they run across private land. If you’re building within three metres of a public sewer, you must obtain a Build Over Agreement from your local water authority. Without a professional CCTV drainage survey, it’s impossible to confirm whether you’ll need such permission.

At Premier Drainage Solutions, we handle drainage surveys specifically for these scenarios, offering clear reports that make your planning process smoother and ensure your legal responsibilities are met.

Highlight Problems Before They Delay Your Build

CCTV surveys don’t just reveal the location of drains—they also expose hidden problems. Tree root ingress, cracked pipes, collapsed sections, and silt build-up are all common issues that could compromise your new build’s foundations or lead to backups after the work is completed.

By identifying and resolving these problems ahead of your project, we help you avoid unnecessary delays, prevent future repair costs, and protect your investment from the outset.

Targeted Repairs with Minimal Disruption

Once problems are identified, we can carry out precision repairs using techniques like:

• Patch Lining: to repair specific cracks or small damaged sections.
• Lining: to create a new pipe within the existing one without excavation.
• Route Cutting: to remove root ingress or hardened obstructions.
• Jetting: to clean the system efficiently before or after work.

Thanks to our specialist CCTV knowledge and equipment, all of this is done quickly and cleanly, saving you from invasive excavation or major disruption to your home.

Documentation You Can Rely On

After every CCTV survey, we provide a detailed, water-authority compliant report along with video evidence and recommendations. This report can be used by your contractor, structural engineer, and architect to inform plans and support applications.

It’s also valuable in the long term—should there ever be a dispute or problem, you’ll have professional documentation to prove the condition of your drains prior to work.

Supporting a Smoother Extension Experience

Our team includes experienced drainage surveyors and repair operatives, now strengthened by a new team member with specialist CCTV and mapping experience. We work with homeowners, builders, and architects across London, Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, and Kent—bringing local expertise to every project.

Whether it’s a simple connection or a more complex rerouting project, Premier Drainage Solutions has built a reputation for clear communication, accurate reporting, and outstanding aftercare.