Case Study – The Art of Drain Clearance in Farnham and Dunstable
It’s not often that the Drainflow team gets to go to the theatre. Recently, though, we scrubbed up our high vis jackets and wellies for two outings linked to the arts. Alright, so we had to take our drain clearance equipment with us, but the plot was good and we met a few characters along the way!
Clearing Out Catchment Pits in Dunstable Theatre District
The Drainflow team was called to service the critical catchment pits on the green outside Dunstable’s Grove Theatre. In a public space like this, these pits are the first line of defence for the entire drainage system.
A catchment pit is an empty chamber which is designed to trap heavy debris – such as silt, soil, leaves, and litter – before it can enter and obstruct the main sewer pipes. If these pits are not regularly maintained, they fill up, compromising the whole system. This can lead to waterlogged ground, localised flooding, and potential slip hazards for theatregoers.
Our team used specialist high-pressure drain jetting equipment to thoroughly scour and extract the dense accumulation of winter debris. This process doesn’t just empty the chamber – it restores its full capacity, ensuring the green remains safe, and accessible for the public.
CCTV Drain Survey for University of Creative Arts in Farnham, Surrey
UCA in Farnham is the home of fashion design, photography, and film making…so the Drainflow team fitted right in! The Uni has had new buildings constructed on their campus and needed drain clearance specialists for a post-handover deep clean and CCTV survey.
Post-construction drainage issues are common. It’s not just silt – the main risks are cement wash, grout, or even rubble that has been accidentally introduced into the system during the build. These materials harden, causing immediate blockages and structural defects. A standard ‘flush-through’ isn’t enough – we needed to be sure that the system was completely cleared.
CCTV Drain Survey
Our HD waterproof camera, mounted on a remote-controlled crawler unit, provides 360° real-time images from the heart of the system. Its pan-and-tilt camera head allows our technician to inspect every joint and lateral connection for hidden fractures, misaligned pipes, or construction debris that could catch waste.
Drain Jetting
Having located several areas of hardened grout, we used our high-pressure drain jetting hoses. At pressures exceeding 3000psi and guided by the camera feed, we used specialist ‘flail’ nozzles. These spinning chains pulverise brittle deposits like cement, scouring the pipe wall clean without damaging the structure. The result is a clean, free-flowing drain that is healthy and, most importantly, certified as fully operational before students move in.
Post-Build Drain Surveys – Your Questions Answered
Before you sign off on a new build or extension, it’s important to know what’s happening underground. Our post-construction drain surveys are designed to give developers, site managers, and new owners confidence that the site drainage is clear of construction detritus, and operating properly.
The main risks are cement wash, grout, or rubble that has runoff into the system. The materials harden, causing obstructions and creating rough surfaces that catch waste. We also check for structural defects like ‘lipped’ or misaligned joints that may have occurred during installation.
A survey on an older drain is usually to diagnose a fault. A post-construction survey is for quality assurance. Our CCTV drain survey uses remote-controlled crawlers to inspect every new joint and connection, certifying that the pipe is laid correctly and, most important, is completely clear of construction debris.
We use precision jetting tools. After identifying the material with the camera, we select a specialist head, such as a ‘flail’ nozzle. This tool has small chains that spin at high speed, pulverising the brittle grout or cement without damaging the pipe wall. We then flush the debris clear, leaving the pipe “as new.”
About Drainflow
We’ve been providing drain clearance for over 20 years now. We keep drains operating efficiently, in a healthy sustainable way for residential, commercial and industrial clients.
The team operates across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and sometimes Surrey. Our goal is always to get your drain blockage cleared on our first visit, which in 99% of cases is exactly what we achieve.
Need fast, effective drain clearance services? Call Drainflow today on 01525 718500