Do You Really Need a Drain Inspection When Buying a Property?
Whether you’re buying a property at auction or by negotiation, it’s crucial to carry out due diligence before going unconditional so that you know exactly what you’re getting into.
As a buyer, you’re probably aware that you need to check the title and LIM, confirm finance and organise a building inspection. But how do you know if the drains are in good condition? And how can you avoid the cost and headache of fixing a major drainage issue not long after purchasing a property?
For peace of mind, we always recommend ordering a pre-purchase CCTV drain inspection as part of your due diligence process.
If no drainage issues are found, you can move forward with the purchase knowing that everything below the ground is working as it should be. On the other hand, if the drain inspection shows a major problem, you’ll be able to negotiate a price with this in mind or choose not to purchase the property.
But I’ve already paid for a building inspection. Do I really need a drain inspection too?
A building inspection is crucial and can provide basic information on the condition of drains. However, building inspectors generally don’t have the specialised equipment or knowledge to carry out a proper drain inspection.
Most building inspectors will check drainage that is readily accessible and able to be seen from the surface, but without a CCTV camera, it’s impossible to check drains thoroughly.
It might seem like you’re spending lots of money on various reports while carrying out due diligence, but problems that you’re unaware of now could become very expensive to repair once you’ve purchased the property. A few hundred dollars spent on a drain inspection is minimal when compared to the cost and headache of fixing a major drainage issue.
What does a CCTV drain inspection involve?
When carrying out a pre-purchase drain inspection, our team uses CCTV technology to produce detailed reports on underlying and adjacent drains.
The HD footage provides a clear picture of any current drainage issues and identifies potential areas where drainage problems are likely to occur in the future.
What types of issues can a drain inspection identify?
During a CCTV drain inspection, we check for drainage issues such as:
Drain blockages
Broken or cracked pipes
Displaced drain joints
Older ceramic or steel pipework that needs to be repaired or upgraded to PVC
When these types of drainage issues aren’t resolved, they can lead to flooding of wastewater, stormwater or sewerage on your property.
If we identify any issues during the drain inspection, we’ll outline everything that needs to be done to rectify the problem and provide a quote. The solution is often as simple as a quick drain repair or clearing the drains out with our high-pressure drain cleaning tools. If the damage is more extensive, we might need to upgrade or replace the drains.
Either way, it’s always better to know about any drainage problems before buying a new property so that you can negotiate a price with this in mind and get onto fixing the issue quickly. It’s best to resolve drainage problems sooner rather than later to prevent widespread damage occurring, so we’d recommend getting any drainage issues sorted as soon as you settle on a new property.
Want a 25% discount on a pre-purchase CCTV drain inspection?
For a limited time, we’re offering CCTV drain inspections for $150 + GST (usually $200 + GST). Just contact us by 31 August 2019 and mention this post to claim the special price.
Ready to book a pre-purchase drain inspection now? Get in touch below to contact our friendly team and arrange a time.