What do CCTV Drain Surveys Find in the Drains of Older Homes in Birmingham?
The older homes in Birmingham such as the Victorian terraces, 1930s semis and post-war properties all have hidden problems with their drains that a CCTV drain survey can uncover before they become expensive repairs.
Clay and Pitch-Fibre Pipes
Cracked and crumbling clay pipes from older times can often be seen, as well as delaminating pitch-fibre pipes from the mid 20th century, which collapse in on themselves and dramatically reduce the bore of the pipe.
Root Ingress From Mature Trees
Roots from mature trees in the garden will find any small gap between joints in pipes. Once inside the pipe, roots will form a dense mass of roots down the centre of the pipe, sometimes with other material such as fat, and Roots etc in Sewer blockages like leaf, hair, fat, washing etc to cause blockages in drains. For information on the construction of older buildings see Historic England.
Displaced and Open Joints
Ground movement due to settlement over many decades is another typical factor for drain deterioration. Settling in the clay soils of the Birmingham area often causes lateral movement of pipework. This can result in open joints which are obvious on drain survey footage as dark voids, frequently seen at a number of locations along a single drain run.
Collapsed or Partially Collapsed Sections
A partial collapse can result in the pipe wall becoming flattened or deformed. This type of blockage will slow up the flow of water and can cause periodic blockages which at first may appear to be a simple case of fat in the drains.
Misaligned Connections From Old Extension Work
Extensions to old properties can create mismatches to the existing drainage in terms of angles, levels and type of connection. A number of sharp bends and even step joints can be found as well as connections that sit proud within the pipe. These can act as sites for debris to get stuck causing blockages that may appear to be simply made of fat.
Shared and Combined Drainage Runs
Many older properties have shared drainage with their neighbours. A Drain Survey across Birmingham can map out these shared runs and highlight which section of the drain is the responsibility of the property owner.
For CCTV Drain Survey Birmingham, see /www.wilkinson-env.co.uk/drainage-services-cctv-surveys-midlands/cctv-drain-surveys/birmingham.
This article aims to inform home owners of the typical problems that a drain survey will uncover, enabling them to understand the drain survey report and make informed decisions as to the best course of action to repair problems found with the drains.