What Drain Tracing and Locating Involves
We put a sonde - a small transmitter - into the drain, then follow it from the surface with a locator. That gives us the line the pipe takes and the depth it sits at, which we mark out on the ground as we go.
It answers a different question from a CCTV drain survey. The camera tells you the pipe is cracked; tracing tells you the crack is four metres in, under the patio, at a depth of 900mm. Most jobs want both, and we run them together.
When You Need a Drain Traced
- Before you dig or build - extensions, driveways, garden works and anything that puts a foundation or a load near an existing run
- No drainage plan exists - common on older Nottingham properties and on sites altered over the years
- A survey has found a defect and someone needs to know exactly where to excavate
- Repeat blockages in the same spot where the run does not go where everyone assumes it does
- Buying or developing a site and you need to know what is under it before you commit
- A connection is unaccounted for and you need to establish where it goes
Tracing turns a drainage problem from an excavation into a hole in a known place.
Drain Mapping and Site Plans
Where you need more than a marked line on the ground, we produce a drawn plan of the drainage layout from the survey - the runs, the connections and the direction of flow, set out as a schematic rather than a video.
That is what developers, managing agents and anyone maintaining a site over time actually need. A video is evidence of a moment. A plan is something you can hand to the next contractor.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a drain survey and drain tracing?
A CCTV survey looks inside the pipe and tells you its condition. Tracing works out where the pipe physically runs and how deep it is. They answer different questions and most jobs benefit from both, which is why we usually run them on the same visit.
How accurate is drain locating?
We mark the line and depth on the surface as we follow the sonde along the run. It is accurate enough to dig to, which is the point - the alternative is exploratory excavation.
Do I need my drains traced before an extension?
If you are building near, over or across an existing run, you need to know where it is. Finding a drain with a digger is expensive, and building over one without knowing can cause problems with building control and with your water authority later.
Can you produce a drainage plan for the property?
Yes. We can produce a drawn plan of the layout from the survey showing runs, connections and flow direction, which is more useful than footage if the site will be maintained or developed over time.
How much does drain tracing cost?
It depends on the size of the site and how much of the system you need traced. Call us with the details and we will give you a fixed price over the phone before we come out. We do not charge for the quote.
Book Drain Tracing in Nottingham
By submitting this form you are agreeing to our privacy policy.