How to get to the bottom of drainage problems
You’ve cleared the blockage, the water is flowing again and everything seems fine. But if it’s the third time you’ve been called out to the same drain, there’s probably something else going on.
Or maybe there’s a smell nobody can get to the bottom of, rats in the property, or someone wanting their drains checked before buying a house or starting building work.
That’s where having a CCTV drain camera on the van really helps. You can take a look inside, check the condition of the pipework and give your customer a clearer idea of what, if anything, needs doing.
If you missed our blog a few months ago, we now sell Scanprobe CCTV camera systems. We also now offer camera repairs, so we can help when your existing equipment needs some attention too.
Get to the bottom of recurring problems
A blockage can be a symptom of a bigger issue. Roots, damaged pipework or a displaced joint could all explain why a customer keeps having trouble.
Having a camera means you can investigate while you’re already on site. Once the pipe is clear enough to inspect properly, you can see its condition and make a more informed decision about the next step.
That’s particularly useful when a customer asks, “Is this going to happen again?” You’ll be in a much better position to explain what you’ve found and what might be needed to sort it.
And it isn’t just recurring blockages that are worth investigating. For example, according to the British Pest Control Association (BPCA), an estimated 80% of rat infestations within homes originate from the drainage system. If a customer keeps finding rats around their property, a CCTV inspection can help identify damaged pipework, open connections or other potential entry routes. That gives you a clearer picture of any repairs needed and whether installing a RatGate could help prevent rats travelling upstream into the property.
Show your customer what you’re talking about
Explaining an underground drainage problem isn’t always easy. Most customers won’t be familiar with pipe defects, and being told they need further work can feel like a big leap when they can’t see the issue.
Camera footage makes that conversation much easier. You can show them where the problem is, explain why it matters and talk through their options.
It helps customers understand your recommendations and gives them something concrete to base their decision on.
Check your work before you pack up
Recording footage before and after work, where conditions allow, also gives you a useful record of what you found and what you did.
That can help when putting together a report or answering questions later.
Take on more of the job yourself
If you’re regularly arranging for someone else to carry out camera inspections, having your own system could be really beneficial.
You can organise inspections around your own diary and offer customers more of the service directly. It could also give you the opportunity to develop the survey side of your business, alongside your existing drainage work.
The right camera will depend on the jobs you do. Think about the pipe sizes you usually work with, the reach you need and how you want to record and share your findings.
We sell a range of Scanprobe systems, including the X40, X60, X90 and Maxprobe. If you’re unsure which would suit you, give us a call and we’ll happily talk it through.
Already have a camera? We do repairs too
Although Scanprobe are very reliable camera systems, things can inevitably go wrong. And when you rely on your camera for work, being without it can be a massive pain, especially with jobs already booked in.
This is why we now offer a repair service.
If you have having any issues, just give us a call on 01923 270273 or drop us an email to info@jetterconversions.co.uk
