Drain & Pipe Surveys Lanzarote

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CCTV Drain Survey Lanzarote: See Inside Your Pipes

A CCTV drain survey is the most accurate and least disruptive way to assess the condition of pipes and drains in a Lanzarote property. Instead of guessing what might be wrong and opening up floors or walls to investigate, we insert a high-definition push-rod camera directly into the pipework and see exactly what is happening inside.

Canary Detect runs six camera systems covering the full range of pipe sizes found in Lanzarote properties, from small bathroom pipes of 25mm diameter through to main drain runs of 300mm. Our cameras produce a full-colour video record of everything inside the pipe: scale and limescale deposits, corrosion and pitting, joint failures, root intrusion, cracks, and complete blockages.

Why Drain Surveys Matter in Lanzarote

Lanzarote's drainage infrastructure has specific characteristics that make professional CCTV surveys particularly valuable.

Scale and Limescale Buildup

The island's desalinated water supply has a high mineral content that deposits limescale inside pipes over time. In older properties, drainage pipes and hot water supply lines can have significant internal scale deposits that reduce flow, create blockage points, and ultimately cause pipe failures. A camera survey shows exactly where scale has built up and how severe the narrowing has become.

Older Pipe Infrastructure

Many properties on Lanzarote were built during the tourism construction boom of the 1970s and 1980s. Drainage pipes installed during this period are now reaching the end of their expected service life. Cracked or collapsed sections, failed joints, and extensive corrosion are common findings in older Lanzarote properties. Identifying these before they cause flooding or require emergency excavation saves significant cost and disruption.

Unknown Pipe Routes

In older properties, particularly rural fincas and village houses built before formal building regulations required accurate documentation, the routes of drainage pipes are often completely unknown. A CCTV survey with our surface locator shows where pipes run, confirms depths, and identifies where connections and junctions are, without any excavation.

Volcanic Rock Excavation Costs

Excavating through Lanzarote's volcanic basalt substrate is exceptionally expensive, typically five to ten times the cost of the same work in normal soil. Before committing to any excavation, a CCTV survey confirms exactly where and what the problem is, ensuring that digging only takes place where it is genuinely needed.

What We Can Inspect

Bathroom and Kitchen Waste Pipes

We inspect the internal drainage from bathrooms, kitchens, and utility rooms, checking for blockages, scale deposits, damaged joints, and corrosion. These pipes are most prone to grease buildup and limescale accumulation, particularly in holiday rental properties with high usage and infrequent maintenance.

Main Drain Runs

The main drainage pipes running from a property to the municipal sewer or septic tank are the most critical part of any drainage system. Our larger cameras inspect these in detail, identifying any structural damage, root intrusion from trees and shrubs, or settlement that could cause collapse.

Shared Drainage in Community Properties

Apartment complexes and urbanisations often share drainage infrastructure. When a blockage or failure occurs in a shared system, identifying exactly which section is at fault and who is responsible for repair can be difficult without camera evidence. Our CCTV surveys produce a definitive video record of the pipe condition and the precise location of any faults.

Septic Tanks and Connecting Pipes

Many rural Lanzarote properties are not connected to the municipal sewer and rely on septic tanks. The connecting pipework between the property and the tank, and the distribution pipes from the tank, can be inspected by camera to identify any failures before they cause ground contamination or odour problems.

Combining Jetting with Camera Inspection

Canary Detect combines CCTV inspection with pipe jetting in a single visit. We camera inspect the pipe first to record its condition and identify the nature of any blockage, then jet-clean the pipe to clear the obstruction, and then camera inspect again to confirm the pipe is clear and to record the final condition.

This before-and-after record is particularly useful for proving the effectiveness of unblocking work on shared or rental property drainage systems.

Pre-Purchase Property Surveys

A CCTV drain survey is one of the most valuable elements of a pre-purchase survey for a Lanzarote property. Many buyers commission a structural survey and a water leak check but overlook the drainage system, only to discover significant problems after completion.

A pre-purchase drain survey identifies the current condition of all accessible drainage pipework, confirms that drainage connections are where they should be, identifies any structural issues that will require costly repair, and provides clear photographic and video evidence for price negotiations.

For properties with pools, we also inspect the pool drainage, backwash lines, and any combined drainage that carries pool water. Pool drainage failures are common in older Lanzarote properties and are not always visible without a camera inspection.

How the Survey Works

We access the drainage system through an existing inspection chamber or by removing a toilet to access the drain stack directly. The camera is introduced into the pipe and pushed along the run while the feed from the camera head is displayed on our monitor. We record the full survey as a continuous video file.

Our surface locator tracks the position of the camera head from the ground above, allowing us to mark the route of the pipe and the precise location of any faults found on a plan of the property. Depth is measured at key points.

Every survey produces a written report with the video recording, photographs of significant findings, a marked plan showing the pipe route and fault locations, and our assessment of urgency and recommended action.

Frequently Asked Questions: Drain Surveys Lanzarote

How long does a CCTV drain survey take?

A typical residential drain survey takes one to two hours. Larger properties, community drainage systems, and pre-purchase surveys covering the full property drainage take longer. We advise on the likely duration when we assess the job.

Can you inspect pipes under concrete or underground?

Yes. The camera travels through the pipe regardless of what is above it. Our surface locator tracks the camera position from above ground and confirms depth. We inspect underground pipes running beneath concrete slabs, driveways, gardens, and terraces without any excavation.

What happens if you find a crack or broken pipe?

We document exactly where the fault is with video evidence and surface location. We then advise on the repair options, which may include pipe relining, spot excavation at the confirmed fault location, or in severe cases, pipe replacement.

Do you carry out drain unblocking as well as surveys?

Yes. We combine drain surveys with jetting for blockage clearance. In most cases we inspect first to understand what is blocking the pipe, clear the blockage with jetting equipment or mechanical cleaning, and then re-inspect to confirm the pipe is clear.

Can you inspect pool drainage?

Yes. We inspect pool drains, backwash lines, and any drainage pipes associated with pool circulation and overflow systems. Pool drainage failures are common in older Lanzarote properties and benefit from the same camera survey process as domestic drainage.

Do you provide a video of the survey?

Yes. Every survey produces a full video recording of the camera run as evidence of the pipe condition at the time of survey. This is included in the written report and can be provided in digital format for your records or for insurance purposes.

What's Included

FAQ

What can CCTV drain inspection detect?

Is CCTV inspection included with unblocking?

How often should drains be inspected?