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Drainage Technology Explained: Jetting, CCTV and Relining
When a drain is blocked or damaged, you need to know not just what we'll do, but exactly what it will cost. We believe trust starts with price transparency, so we publish our pricing and explain the technology behind every job. This page breaks down the three core techniques we use: jetting, CCTV surveys, and pipe relining.
Quick answer
Modern drainage technology uses high-pressure water jetting to clear blockages, CCTV cameras to inspect the pipe's condition, and trenchless pipe relining to repair damaged sections without excavation. Each method has a clear, itemised cost.
We don't hide behind technical jargon or surprise fees. Below, you'll find plain-spoken explanations of how each process works, what it achieves, and how our pricing is structured for each service. Our goal is to give you the clarity to make an informed decision.
Drain Jetting: How High-Pressure Water Clears Blockages
Drain jetting is our primary method for clearing tough blockages like solidified fat, roots, and debris. It involves a specialist machine that pumps water at extremely high pressure through a flexible hose and nozzle, which is fed into your drain. The force of the water scours the pipe walls clean and breaks apart the obstruction.
Our jetting service has a clear base price that covers a standard duration and includes the equipment, labour, and disposal of waste. If the blockage is exceptionally severe or the pipe run is unusually long, we will discuss any potential additional costs with you before proceeding, so there are no surprises.
- Clears grease, roots, silt, and other stubborn deposits.
- Restores full flow and cleans the pipe interior.
- Is often the first step before a CCTV inspection to assess the pipe's condition.
CCTV Drain Surveys: A Camera Inspection for Accurate Diagnosis
A CCTV (Closed-Circuit Television) survey is a diagnostic tool. After clearing a blockage, or if you have recurring issues, we send a high-resolution, waterproof camera on a crawler through your pipes. This gives us, and you, a live video feed of the pipe's interior condition.
We charge a fixed survey fee. This price includes the full recording, a written report with timestamped images highlighting any problems (like cracks, breaks, or misaligned joints), and a detailed explanation from our engineer. This report is crucial for deciding if a simple repair or a full reline is needed, and forms the basis for any subsequent quoted work.
- Pinpoints the exact location and nature of defects.
- Provides video evidence to justify (or rule out) further work.
- Essential for creating an accurate, fixed-price quote for repairs like relining.
Pipe Relining: The Trenchless, Long-Term Repair Solution
If a CCTV survey reveals damaged pipes, traditional digging is often unnecessary. Pipe relining is a trenchless technology that fixes the pipe from the inside. We insert a resin-saturated liner into the old pipe, which is then inflated and cured (usually with hot water or steam) to form a hard, seamless 'pipe-within-a-pipe'.
Relining is a significant project with a significant, but fixed, cost. Our quote is itemised and includes all stages: pre-cleaning (jetting), the CCTV survey, the liner materials, installation, curing, and final CCTV verification. We provide this total price upfront—you'll know the full cost before we begin, with no hidden extras for labour time or materials.
Our Pricing Structure: How We Quote for Each Technology
Transparency means you understand what you're paying for. Our pricing is never vague 'from' prices or hourly rates that can balloon. For jetting and CCTV surveys, we have published set fees. For relining, every quote is bespoke but fully itemised based on the pipe length and diameter confirmed by the CCTV survey.
We separate diagnosis from repair. The CCTV survey has its own fixed cost. The quote for any recommended repair (like relining) is provided separately and only after you've seen the survey evidence. You are never obligated to proceed, and you will always have a clear, written price for each stage.
The Typical Process & Cost Journey
Most jobs follow a logical sequence, and our pricing reflects each step. It often starts with a jetting call-out to clear a blockage (at a set fee). If problems persist, we recommend a CCTV survey (another fixed fee). Based on that survey's report, we may then quote for a permanent repair like relining (a comprehensive, fixed project price).
This staged approach keeps you in control of costs. You can stop after any stage. We will never do additional, unquoted work. The price for each technological step is agreed upon in advance, ensuring you only pay for what you need and authorise.
Fixed price before we travel
Every visit is priced as a clear fixed fee — not an open-ended hourly meter that climbs while someone guesses.
CCTV-confirmed, not assumed
A camera check confirms the drain is genuinely clear or the defect is genuinely diagnosed, not just assumed from flow.
Documentation that holds up
Footage, defect codes and a written report when a managing agent, surveyor or insurer needs more than a one-line invoice.
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Frequently asked questions
Is jetting always included in a relining quote?
Yes. A pipe must be perfectly clean before relining. Our itemised relining quote always includes a pre-relining jetting service as a distinct line item. There is no extra charge—it's part of the complete, fixed project price.
Why do I need a CCTV survey if you've already jetted the drain?
Jetting clears the blockage but doesn't show us the condition of the pipe itself. The survey acts like an X-ray, revealing cracks, collapses, or root intrusions that will cause future blockages. It's a separate, fixed-cost diagnostic service that provides the evidence needed for a lasting repair.
How is a relining quote calculated? Is it per metre?
The quote is based primarily on the length and diameter of the pipe needing repair, as measured by the CCTV survey. We provide a total project price that includes all materials, labour, and equipment. We don't charge variable 'per metre' rates on the day; you receive one comprehensive, fixed quote to approve.
Are there any hidden costs with drain jetting?
No. Our jetting service has a clear published price. We only discuss potential additional costs if the job requires significantly more time or specialist nozzles due to an extreme circumstance. We would always get your authorisation for any extra cost before proceeding.
If the CCTV survey finds a problem, am I obliged to have the repair done with you?
Absolutely not. You pay for the survey and receive the detailed report, which is yours to keep. You can use that report to get quotes from other companies or to make an informed decision. We only carry out repair work like relining after you have approved our separate, fixed-price quote.
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