For almost all of us, the most expensive purchase we will ever make is buying a house. We are all aware of the potential pitfalls involved and the checks and surveys that are needed, but one often overlooked aspect of a property is the drainage system.
Unfortunately, this mostly unseen and unglamorous part of the construction can cause the homeowner serious problems when it goes wrong. So here is our brief checklist of the warning signs to look out for and the checks that should be made when house-hunting.
1. Location and topography
If there is a large body of water close to the property, then it may be liable to flooding which can cause problems for the drainage system. An individual property’s history of flooding can be checked on the government’s database here:
2. Blockages
This may seem obvious, but it is easily overlooked. Check for unpleasant smells coming from the drains or for slow-moving water, as these could be a sign that the drains have a build-up of sludge. This can often mean a blockage is not far away and you will need CCTV drainage surveys in Kingsbury.
3. Check the condition of the pipes
Look for any signs of wear and tear. If the pipes look cracked or badly worn, then obviously they will need replacing sooner rather than later.
4. Consider a CCTV drain survey.
For real peace of mind, it is worth considering having a professional company carry out a survey of the drains. Specialist drainage experts can carry out a full CCTV survey and recommend any maintenance or repairs that may be needed. CCTV drainage surveys Kingsbury are probably the surest way of ensuring you have problem-free drainage.
5. The age of the system
While newer properties are by no means immune from drainage problems, the age of the system will be a major factor so try to find out if any maintenance and repairs have been carried out recently. A well-maintained system is less likely to cause trouble in the near future.