After the survey
Survey found drainage issues: what to do next
Drainage problems can be minor maintenance or expensive hidden defects. A normal house survey rarely tests underground drains, so the usual next step is to decide whether a CCTV drain survey is worth doing before exchange.
Last updated: 31 May 2026. Editorially reviewed: 31 May 2026.
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Red flags
- Blocked, collapsed, cracked or displaced drains suspected.
- Repeated blockages, foul smells, damp near drains or subsidence near pipe runs.
- Old clay drains under extensions or near trees.
- Shared or private drainage responsibilities are unclear.
Amber flags
- Gullies, manholes or downpipes need cleaning or minor repair.
- Surface water falls toward the house.
- Drainage age is unknown on an older property.
Green signals
- CCTV survey shows drains are serviceable.
- Water and drainage search confirms public sewer connection and no build-over concern.
- Seller has recent repair invoices from a drainage contractor.
Drainage finding triage
| Finding | Follow-up | Risk level |
|---|---|---|
| Blocked gully | Clear and inspect. | Low if isolated. |
| Cracked clay drain | CCTV plus repair quote. | Medium to high depending on location. |
| Drain under extension | Check build-over and CCTV. | Legal plus repair-access risk. |
| Repeated blockages | CCTV before exchange. | High until cause is known. |
What to do next
- Ask whether the surveyor saw a visible defect or only recommends routine follow-up.
- Order a CCTV drain survey for older homes, repeated blockage signs, trees, extensions or suspected movement.
- Check the water and drainage search for public sewer location and build-over issues.
- Ask the seller about blockage history, repairs and insurance claims.
- Price repairs before exchange if the CCTV report finds defects.
Evidence to gather
- CCTV drain survey video and written report.
- Drainage contractor quote with repair method and access assumptions.
- Water and drainage search showing public sewer, private drains and build-over constraints.
- Seller replies on blockages, shared drains and past repairs.
Related next steps
Frequently asked questions
Does a house survey check drains?
Only visually where accessible. It does not normally include CCTV inspection or testing of underground drains.
When should I get a CCTV drain survey?
Consider it for older properties, repeated blockage signs, trees, extensions, movement concerns or where the surveyor recommends further investigation.
Can drainage issues affect a mortgage?
Serious defects can affect value or habitability, especially if repairs are costly or access is difficult. Ask your broker if the lender has conditions.
Who pays for drain repairs after exchange?
Usually the buyer after completion unless you renegotiate or the seller agrees to fix them before exchange. Get evidence before committing.
Check the address before you decide
Use MyPropertyScan as a buyer-risk preview alongside your survey. It will not replace professional advice, but it can surface flood, subsidence, EPC, listed-status, building-age and local-area prompts before you spend more money.
Run the check
Run a property check before you commission a survey
Flood, subsidence, EPC, crime, schools, broadband and price data before you spend on the survey.
Run a free previewEditorial review
Editorial owner: BiteRight Ltd, operator of MyPropertyScan. We review buyer guides against UK public property datasets, RICS survey wording, lender requirements, and common buyer questions.
Pages are updated when source coverage, property-risk guidance, survey cost assumptions, or product checks materially change. Methodology and dataset limitations are explained on the MyPropertyScan methodology page.
Sources used
We use UK public and specialist sources where they are available. Public datasets can be incomplete, delayed, or missing for some addresses. Treat them as a starting point, not as a replacement for professional advice.
Source standard: preference goes to official government datasets, statutory bodies, professional standards, and primary dataset publishers. We cite the source family on the page and explain coverage limits rather than filling gaps with unsupported estimates.