Hearing scratching under the floor, finding droppings near a kitchen or bathroom, or seeing rats return after pest treatment can leave you wondering where they are getting in. When there is no obvious gap above ground, the drainage system may be part of the route.
A CCTV drain survey for rats can help by showing the inside of the pipework and identifying defects, open connections, damaged joints, or other routes rats may be using. Its value is finding the pathway that makes access possible, so the next step can be based on evidence.
Need to know whether your drains are the route?
If rats keep returning and you suspect the drainage system, our CCTV drain surveys can identify hidden defects and pest entry points. We provide a written record, photographic evidence, defect locations, and recommendations, helping you understand what has been found before deciding what to do. Contact us on 0800 999 1769 today.
The most useful CCTV survey does more than spot evidence of rats. It shows the route they can use, where that route sits, and what needs to change to close it.
[H2]
How CCTV drain surveys identify rat entry points
During a drain camera inspection in the UK, a waterproof camera is fed through accessible drainage runs so the engineer can inspect pipework hidden from the surface.
Useful findings can include cracked pipes, displaced or open joints, damaged sections, redundant branches, and openings around connections. A survey may also reveal blockages or root ingress.
Seeing a rat on camera can help, but the key question is whether the pipe layout gives rats a route from the sewer towards the property.
How does the survey pinpoint an entry route?
A good survey follows the drainage network rather than treating one manhole as the whole story. The engineer checks accessible runs, notes junctions and defects, and records where problems sit.
An open or unused branch beneath a property can have different implications from a defect on a line that simply passes through the site. CCTV can therefore help detect rat entry through a drain by linking a visible defect with the wider pipe layout.
Why pipe ownership can change the next step
In England and Wales, property owners are normally responsible for drains serving their property up to the point where they connect with the public sewer, while sewerage companies maintain public sewers.
If a defect lies near a boundary or on shared pipework, establishing its position may help you decide whether to arrange a private repair or contact the sewerage company first.
What happens after a rat entry point is found?
The best solution depends on what the survey finds. A crack or damaged section may need a drain repair, while some suitable defects can be lined rather than excavated. If rats are travelling in from the sewer, a correctly positioned rat gate may form part of the prevention plan.
This is why fitting a barrier before understanding the layout can miss the real problem. A gate only protects the route where it is installed. Another open branch or displaced joint may leave another route.
Our guide on how rat gates keep rats out of drainage systems explains why inspection and correct placement matter.
When is a CCTV survey worth considering?
A sewer inspection is worth considering when there is a reason to suspect below-ground access, such as repeat activity after pest control, scratching beneath floors, or no obvious external entry point.
It is not proof that the drains are responsible. Rats can enter in other ways, so drainage investigation may need to sit alongside pest-control checks. CCTV adds visibility where a surface inspection cannot reach.
Finding the route makes the solution clearer
If rats are using the drainage system, the lasting fix depends on identifying the route rather than guessing. CCTV can reveal pipe condition and layout, locate likely access points, and show whether repair, proofing, or further investigation is the sensible next step.
Worried rats may be using your drains?
If you would like help investigating a suspected drainage route, call us on 0800 999 1769, or email info@bndrainageltd.com. We can help you understand what the survey shows and which next step is appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a CCTV drain survey actually see rats?
Yes, it can sometimes record rats or signs of activity, but its bigger benefit is identifying defects and routes that could let rats travel towards the property.
What drain defects can let rats into a property?
Cracked pipes, displaced joints, open or redundant connections, and damaged chambers can create possible routes. The risk depends on where the defect sits and what it connects to.
Do I need pest control before a drain survey?
Not always. If rats are active inside the property, pest control may be needed alongside drainage investigation. The survey helps establish whether the drains are contributing.
Will a rat gate solve the problem on its own?
Not in every case. A gate needs correct placement and a suitable drainage layout. Other damaged or alternative access routes may also need attention.
Who repairs a damaged drain found on CCTV?
It depends on ownership. Private drains are normally the property owner’s responsibility, while public sewers are maintained by the sewerage company.
