Drain Jetting & CCTV Survey for Hertfordshire Infrastructure
When the Drainflow team was contacted to carry out storm drain clearance in Hemel Hempstead, the challenge for us wasn’t just clearing the site, but accessing the drain in its off-road location.
This is the kind of project that we’ve built our reputation on. For the past two decades, Drainflow has provided drain clearance solutions to clients across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, and Buckinghamshire.
This particular project involved us getting our high-pressure jetting tanker and remote-access drain survey unit in place to clear the blocked 60mm pipework and follow up with a CCTV drain survey to make sure the pipes were clear and in good health.
Managing Field-Based Storm Drain Blockages
A storm drain, especially a large 600mm pipe like this one in Hemel Hempstead, is an important part of water management for the field. Its job is to keep surface water away from the land by channelling it into the main drainage network. Its aim is to stop waterlogging and flooding when there’s heavy rainfall.
In an open-field location, these drains are more vulnerable to blockages than those found in urban settings. Silt, soil, stones, and leaf debris enter the drain constantly. Over time they build up and sediment solidifies, creating stubborn blockages.
Tree roots are another potential problem. They like the damp environment within the pipe, and they can enter through the joints. Once established, they trap debris and can end up completely blocking the drain.
What happens if you ignore a storm drain blockage? You get localised flooding which over time, and ongoing rainfall, can start to impact nearby paths or fences.
Drainflow’s Solution – High-Pressure Jetting & High-Definition Drain Survey
We began by tackling the blockage itself with the most effective tool for the job – high-pressure drain jetting. Water, which is pressurised by our tanker unit, is directed through strong, flexible hoses so that it behaves like a cutting tool, breaking apart accumulated silt and debris on the pipe walls. The slurry is then flushed out, leaving the pipeline completely clear.
With water flow restored, we then shifted our focus to the state of the pipe. We needed to check that it was completely clear and – importantly – that it was undamaged. For this we carried out a CCTV drain survey. A remote-controlled HD camera was lowered into the pipeline, where it navigated the entire length under the control of our technician. We were looking for any potential issues like root ingress, joint displacement, or cracks that could cause future problems.
This two-step method offers a complete solution. The jetting resolved the immediate problem, while the CCTV survey delivered a long-term guarantee—a record of the storm drain’s condition. In this instance, no further repairs were required.
Drainflow Believes in a Job Done Right, Every Time
For over 20 years, we’ve worked alongside local authorities, water companies, construction firms, commercial organisations, all the while building our reputation for reliability. Our state-of-the-art equipment—from lorry-mounted suction units to the advanced survey cameras used on this Hemel Hempstead site—demonstrates our commitment to providing a thorough solution on every job.
Want to talk to us about a project or need immediate support on-site? Call us today on 01525 718500.