Party Wall Drain Surveys

Party Wall Drain Surveys

When planning to build over or near an existing drain, a party wall drain survey isn’t just a nice thing to do. For many projects, it’s absolutely essential, which is why at Express Drainage Solutions, we perform detailed, impartial party wall drain surveys across London and the South East.

We give homeowners, contractors, developers and party wall surveyors alike the evidence they need before and after construction takes place. Using the most advanced CCTV drainage technology, our engineers create clear, evidence-backed reports with recorded footage and images, along with a comprehensive quote for any repair or maintenance needs identified.

Whether you intend to extend over a manhole, dig new foundations close to a shared drain or want to satisfy a party wall survey’s requirements, we have the right service to protect you and your neighbours, as well as your project.

What is a party wall drain survey?

A party wall drain survey is a CCTV report of the overall drainage system running beneath or close by to a shared boundary. This is typically carried out before and after construction work, often to satisfy the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.

• Pre-construction: At this point, the survey can be used to create a factual, dated record of the drain’s condition. It will note cracks, root ingress, displaced joints, blockages and general wear before the building work took place.
• Post-construction: Once the works are completed, another survey can be carried out to be used as a comparison against the original findings. This provides a before-and-after evidence log, which is invaluable if a dispute arises claiming that any construction work has led to damage of a shared or neighbouring drain.

If you don’t have this record, and proceed with building work, it can be impossible to then prove whether the defects were there before or have been caused by nearby excavation, piling, underpinning and extension work. This leaves you exposed to disputes that can end up costing you more in the long run than a party wall drain survey.

Why you need a drain survey before party wall works

Whatever you may be intending to build, if it passes over, under or within three metres of a shared drain, a party wall drain survey will usually be required as part of the party wall process. That’s especially true if there’s a manhole cover on or near to the boundary.

Common reasons you’ll need a party wall drain survey include:

• Building an extension over or near to an existing drain line
• Excavating foundations in close proximity to a shared sewer
• Underpinning works alongside a party wall
• For basement conversions and any deep excavations
• Wherever a party wall surveyor requests drainage evidence

Requesting a survey early means you can avoid the hassle and delays later down the line. If a defect is found halfway through a project without any previous record, it can force work to cease while liability is disputed. This leads to messy entanglement with neighbours, contractors and insurers.