Managing a strata property comes with plenty of responsibilities. One that’s easily overlooked is maintaining the property’s underground drainage system. Scheduling regular CCTV drain inspections can help identify hidden problems before they lead to expensive repairs or unexpected plumbing emergencies.
Drains and pipes are hidden from view, so developing problems can be difficult to spot. Regular inspections give strata managers and body corporates a proactive way to check the condition of sewer and stormwater drains.
Hidden Drainage Problems Can Become Costly
Drainage problems often develop gradually. Tree roots, cracked pipes, shifting ground, grease build-up and deteriorating joints can all restrict water flow.
Residents may not notice anything is wrong until the problem becomes more serious.
Without regular inspections, these issues may only be discovered when they cause:
-
- Recurring blocked drains
- Sewer overflows
- Flooding in common areas
- Damage to landscaping or paved areas
- Emergency plumbing call-outs
- Costly excavation works
A CCTV drain inspection can identify these issues early. This allows repairs to be planned before they become disruptive emergencies.
What Is a CCTV Drain Inspection?
A CCTV drain inspection uses a specialised waterproof camera to examine the inside of the drainage system. The camera is inserted through an existing access point.
It provides a clear view inside the pipes and can help plumbers identify problems such as:
-
- Tree root intrusion
- Cracked or broken pipes
- Collapsed sections
- Misaligned pipe joints
- Corrosion and deterioration
- Grease and debris build-up
- Foreign objects causing blockages
A drain camera inspection can help pinpoint the location and cause of a problem. The plumber can then recommend a repair strategy based on what’s actually happening underground.
Why Preventative Drain Maintenance Makes Sense for Strata Properties
For strata properties, reactive plumbing maintenance can quickly become expensive. In Queensland, body corporates are generally responsible for maintaining utility infrastructure that forms part of the common property, which can include shared pipes, sewers and drains.
A drainage problem can also affect multiple units. It may result in emergency call-outs, cleaning, excavation and restoration work. There’s also the disruption this can cause for residents.
Scheduling regular CCTV drain inspections can help strata managers and body corporates:
-
- Detect deterioration before pipes fail
- Reduce the risk of unexpected drainage emergencies
- Identify the cause of recurring blocked drains
- Extend the usable life of existing drainage infrastructure
- Better plan future maintenance and repair budgets
- Minimise disruption to residents and common areas
Instead of waiting for something to go wrong, strata managers can make more informed maintenance decisions. They’ll have a much clearer picture of the condition of the property’s drainage system.
CCTV Drain Inspections Can Help Determine Whether Pipe Relining Is Possible
A CCTV drain inspection can also help determine the most appropriate repair method when damage is found.
Depending on the condition of the pipe, pipe relining may be an alternative to digging up and replacing it.
Pipe relining involves installing a new liner inside the existing damaged pipe. This effectively creates a strong new pipe within the old one.
Extensive excavation can often be avoided. This can be particularly valuable when drains run underneath driveways, gardens, pathways, car parks or other common areas.
A CCTV inspection allows the condition of the pipe to be properly assessed first. The plumber can then determine whether relining or another repair method is suitable.
Particularly Useful for Older Strata Buildings
Older strata properties can have sewer and stormwater systems that have been in place for decades.
Over time, underground pipes may become susceptible to root intrusion, ground movement, joint separation, cracking and deterioration.
These problems aren’t always obvious from above ground. The drainage system may appear to be working normally while damage is gradually developing underground.
Regular CCTV drain inspections provide greater visibility into the condition of these pipes. This makes it easier to identify areas that may need attention before a significant failure occurs.
Investigating Recurring Blocked Drains
If the same drain keeps blocking, simply clearing the blockage may not address the underlying problem.
Recurring blockages can indicate a more significant issue within the pipe. Common causes include tree roots, pipe damage, displaced joints or sections of pipe that are restricting flow.
A CCTV drain inspection can help identify what’s causing the blockage. Further repairs can then be recommended if required.
Finding the underlying cause is particularly important for strata properties. A problem with a shared sewer or stormwater drain could potentially affect multiple units.
Building a Long-Term Drainage Maintenance Strategy
CCTV drain inspections can also form part of a broader preventative maintenance strategy.
Rather than responding to blocked drains only when they occur, inspections provide valuable information about the drainage network. They can also highlight areas that may need monitoring or future repair.
This information can help body corporates prioritise work and budget for upcoming repairs. It can also reduce the risk of being caught off guard by preventable drainage failures.
How often inspections are required will vary from property to property. Factors include the age and condition of the pipes and any history of recurring drainage problems.
CCTV Drain Inspections for Brisbane Strata Properties
At Emu Plumbing, we work with strata managers, body corporates, commercial clients and plumbers across Brisbane. We use CCTV drain inspection technology to investigate underground drainage problems.
Our team can identify problems within sewer and stormwater drains and recommend an appropriate solution.
Where suitable, we can also provide trenchless pipe relining solutions. This allows damaged pipes to be repaired while minimising excavation and disruption to the property.
Whether you’re dealing with recurring blocked drains or planning preventative maintenance, a CCTV drain inspection can provide valuable answers.
