Rapid Drainage & Plumbing provides specialist subsidence drain surveys, CCTV drainage investigations and structural drain inspections throughout Wimbledon SW19 and surrounding South West London.

When cracks begin appearing in walls, around windows and doors, between extensions and the original building, or around other parts of a property, the underground drainage system can form an important part of the investigation. Cracking does not automatically mean that a property is suffering from subsidence, and drainage defects are not necessarily the cause. However, inspecting the drains can help establish whether significant underground defects are present.

Our CCTV drainage equipment allows us to inspect below ground without immediately excavating the property. We look for fractured pipes, displaced joints, open joints, root ingress, deformation, collapsed drains, leaking connections, damaged gullies and other structural defects that may require further investigation or repair.

Hot Weather, Clay Soils and Ground Movement

Periods of prolonged hot and dry weather can cause clay-rich soils to lose moisture and shrink. Where ground movement occurs, underground drainage can also become damaged, particularly older clay drainage systems with numerous individual joints.

Movement can result in joints becoming displaced, fractures developing and connections opening. Conversely, defective or leaking drainage can affect the ground surrounding a drain. This is why the drainage system can be an important part of a wider investigation where unexplained cracking or suspected movement has been identified.

A CCTV drain survey provides recorded evidence of the condition of the underground drainage rather than relying on assumptions about what may be happening below the property.

CCTV Drain Surveys for Cracking & Suspected Subsidence

Our investigations can include CCTV inspection of accessible foul and surface-water drainage, identification of structural defects and locating problem areas where required.

Where a more detailed survey is required, MSCC5 drainage reporting can provide a structured assessment of the drainage system and identified defects.

This can be particularly useful for homeowners, homebuyers, building surveyors, structural engineers, loss adjusters, property managers and other professionals requiring evidence of underground drainage condition.

Where necessary, drains can also be cleaned before inspection to remove scale, roots, grease, silt or other deposits that would otherwise prevent the pipe structure from being properly assessed.

Structural Drain Repairs Without Unnecessary Excavation

Finding a damaged drain does not automatically mean that an entire drainage system needs replacing.

Where conditions allow, Rapid Drainage & Plumbing can carry out targeted no-dig structural drain repairs to individual fractures, damaged joints and other localised defects. This allows the defective area to be repaired internally while avoiding unnecessary excavation.

For more serious defects such as collapsed drains, severely displaced pipework or damaged gullies, excavation may still be required. Our objective is to identify the actual defect first and recommend an appropriate repair rather than automatically replacing long sections of drainage.

Wimbledon, Putney, Wandsworth & Surrounding Areas

We provide subsidence-related drainage investigations throughout Wimbledon SW19, Wimbledon Village, South Wimbledon, Wimbledon Park, Raynes Park SW20, Putney SW15, Wandsworth SW18, Barnes SW13, Battersea SW11, Clapham SW4 and surrounding areas of South West London.

Whether you've recently noticed cracking, have been advised by a surveyor to investigate the drains, are purchasing a property or require CCTV evidence as part of a wider structural investigation, Rapid Drainage & Plumbing can inspect and document the underground drainage system.