If it’s Sinkhole Season, What About Drain Surveys?

Sinkholes seem to be on the increase in the UK and some of them are the result of human activity as well as persistently wet weather. Periods of prolonged heavy rain or flooding are most likely to expose these holes, when water gradually dissolves around soluble bedrock, but also the sudden drainage of groundwater can make them happen. Alongside these natural causes, deterioration of manmade, underground sewage pipes can also cause sinkholes.

Clearly the appearance of a sinkhole is an obvious visual clue to there being something wrong, but a drain survey can have a part to play in ensuring that drainage networks don’t reach the stage of deterioration where sinkholes can occur.

Smaller, but Inconvenient All the Same

Although sinkholes in the UK are generally not more than a few dozen feet deep, they are, nonetheless, an inconvenience, and can be an indicator that drainage or sewage systems are in decline.

Sinkholes can open up nearby large building developments because of water being prevented soaking into rock and instead running off into surrounding land – another example where poor drainage is a big contributory factor.

Rapid Response

A drain survey is an essential tool in tackling drainage issues because it can help ascertain issues before they cause serious disruption. Drain surveys also help with a rapid response in the detection and diagnosis of drain problems, which is a real benefit if things have got to the sinkhole stage.

Sonar drain tracing and CCTV cameras are essential components of the state-of-the-art drain survey. They minimise the environmental impact while providing a detailed view of what’s going on underground.

When we undertake a drain survey on behalf of our clients, we thoroughly assess the local drainage network using this technology. Where we’ve come across drainage problems, or deterioration in the network, we provide a clear set of recommended actions, based on a full report, which includes a DVD of the CCTV footage taken.

 

A drain survey isn’t simply a nice to have added extra: it’s essential in dealing with drainage issues, whether preventing them or fixing them.