How to Read a Drain Survey Report: WRc Codes and Grades Explained

A drain survey report can look like a page of codes and numbers. Once you know how it is laid out, though, it is quick to read. This guide explains the parts of a typical UK report, what the grades mean, and what to do with it.

What a drain survey report is

A CCTV drain survey films the inside of your pipes. The surveyor then logs each defect they see, with its position along the pipe. Most UK reports use the coding in the WRc Manual of Sewer Condition Classification, or MSCC.

That shared format matters, since insurers, solicitors, lenders and builders all know it. The drain survey reports page explains what a good report should include.

The main parts of a report

Most reports follow a similar order, although the layout varies between engineers.

• A summary. A short account of what the survey found, and what needs doing first.
• A site plan. A sketch of the runs, chambers and where each pipe goes.
• A log for each run. Each finding, with a code, a distance along the pipe and often a photo.
• Grades. A score for each run’s structure and for how well it flows.
• Advice. What the engineer suggests, in order of how urgent it is.

Ask for a plain-English summary at the top. If you can’t follow the report, ask the engineer to talk you through it.

Codes and distances

Each finding has a short code, such as one for a crack, a displaced joint or roots. The distance tells you how far along the pipe it sits, measured from the access point the camera went in at. That way, a repair can target the right spot.

While the codes look technical, the report should spell out what each one means. Where a code is unclear, ask what it says about your pipe in plain words.

What the grades mean

MSCC reports often give each run two grades from 1 to 5. One covers the structure of the pipe, such as cracks or deformation. The other covers how well it flows, such as roots, scale or debris.

In general, a low grade means a minor issue, while a grade of 5 is the most serious. Still, the grade is a guide, not a repair plan. Two pipes with the same grade can need very different work, depending on where the fault is and how long the damaged section is.

Turning the report into action

Start with the summary and the engineer’s advice. Then check each defect they flag against the log, so you know where it is and how bad it is.

For a house purchase, share the report with your solicitor before you exchange, or in Scotland before missives are concluded. The homebuyer drain survey page explains how buyers use it. For survey prices, see what a CCTV drain survey costs. For the case for a survey before you buy, see why a homebuyer drain survey is worth it.

If you plan to claim on insurance, first check whether home insurance covers drains for your problem. Then ask what report format your insurer wants.

Local housing and what reports tend to show

Older housing often has older drains, so the findings vary by area. The city pages describe common faults, from period housing in London to inter-war and post-war homes in Birmingham. Buyers can also see local pages such as homebuyer drain surveys in Leeds, and the list of cities covered links the rest. Use them as background only, since only a survey shows what is under your own home.

The bottom line

A drain survey report is a map of your pipes, with each problem pinned to a spot. Read the summary, check the grades, and ask the engineer about anything unclear before you act on it.

Send us your postcode and we’ll pass your request on straight away. Ask for a WRc/MSCC-coded report with a plain-English summary, and a written quote before any work starts.