We recently surveyed a run of 100mm vitrified clay pipe at a historic hotel. The system was over 100 years old. On the surface, no issues. Down the camera? A different story.

What we found:

• Several displaced joints

• A full-width circumferential crack at 12 o’clock

• Standing water filling around 20% of the pipe

For Building Control, that’s a red flag. If you’re planning to build over drains, they won’t sign off with defects like these in the system. That means delays, redesigns, and extra cost until it’s fixed.

The solution:
We installed a no-dig CIPP liner, which:

• Sealed the cracks

• Re-formed the joints

• Restored smooth flow

No digging, no disruption to a listed site and Building Control signed off without issue.

Takeaway

If you’re building over drains, a CCTV survey isn’t a formality. It’s the difference between moving forward and grinding to a halt. And if problems show up, no-dig lining is often the fastest way to put things right.

📞 Talk to Clearline Drainage about build-over surveys and no-dig drain repairs before you break ground.