How to Find the Drains On My Property
The drains that serve a residential property are usually underground, making it difficult to know exactly where they lie.
Additionally, water authority records may not always be accurate, making it even harder to understand the full extent of your drainage system.
In such cases, there are a few ways to find out where the drains are, from checking the deeds to your property, to conducting a CCTV drain survey.
Knowing where the drains on your property are is helpful if you want to extend your home or if there is a problem, such as a leak or blockage. Our dedicated drain unblocking page provides more information on our professional drain unblocking services.
A drainage specialist such as Lanes can locate the drains on your property. We can also uncover drainage problems before they become bigger issues and offer advice on any wear or maintenance needs.
Continue reading to learn how to locate the drains on your property and why it’s often easier and more cost-effective to consult a professional.
How do I find out where the drains are on my property?
There are a few ways to find out where the drains are on your property, and which is the most suitable method will depend on the amount of information you need.
It is usually easy to find the main drain, although this does not help with understanding or mapping the entire drainage system on your property – such as where the pipes travel or connect to public waterways.
In some cases, you may have access to the property’s drainage plans or map, or may be able to access these from your local water authority, which can make the process much easier if this information is accurate and up-to-date.
The number of drains on your property will depend on several factors, including how old it is and what kind of property it is. Usually, a home has one main drain that will connect to the sewage system, which is connected to your house's wastewater pipes. Water that drains from your sink, bath, or washing machines is called foul water, and will flow from your wastewater pipes, down the main drain and to a local sewage works for treatment.
You can search around your home for a drain cover, which will usually be an access point for your main drain and can give you a sense of where this is located. If you're looking to build an extension on your property, you can find out how close you can build to an inspection chamber in our article ‘How close can you build to an inspection chamber?’.
How do I find drainage plans for my house
Property paperwork
You need a drainage plan to find out where all the drains are on your property. If the previous owner of your property had one, they may have left it with the deeds to your property, so it is worth checking any relevant property paperwork to see if you can find one.
Local Council or Water Company
If you cannot get a drainage plan from the property’s previous owner, you may be able to request one from your local water company for a fee.
It is also important to note that the local water authority or local council may have access to a drainage plan of your property if they conducted previous modifications or inquiries. Still, they may not, or you may find that these plans are not detailed or accurate. If you need the drainage plan because you are concerned about a problem, this will not be the most effective solution, and you can simply skip this step.
CCTV drain surveys
If you cannot access drainage plans for your property, or you find that they are inaccurate, the most reliable solution is to have a professional drainage engineer conduct a CCTV drain survey.
This process involves inserting specially designed cameras into the drains using the access point provided by a drain cover. The cameras capture high-resolution images of the network, which the experts at Lanes can use to map out the pipe system beneath your property.
This method is fast and cost-effective, and ensures minimal disruption to your life. It is suitable for almost any drain, provided there is convenient access somewhere on the property, and offers the most detailed and accurate drainage plan possible.
Ready to book a CCTV drain survey?
If you are planning to build an extension on your property or are concerned about a problem somewhere in the system, a drainage plan can make solving this problem considerably easier.
If your drains are clogged or you need to know where they are located, it is best to contact a drainage specialist.
To arrange a CCTV drain survey with the engineers at Lanes Drainage Services UK, or to discuss a quote, call us on 0800 526 488 today.