At Happy Drains, we love gadgets—especially ones that crawl through pipes and give us a front-row seat to what’s going on beneath your feet. But when it comes to a CCTV drain survey, it’s not just about cool tech. It’s about how we use it—and one of the biggest factors in capturing high-quality, defect-spotting footage is camera speed.
Yep, believe it or not, going too fast in a drain can be a problem. Here’s why we take it slow (on purpose) and why you should care.
Speed Limits (for Cameras, Not Cars)
When we’re guiding our inspection crawlers through your pipes, we’re not trying to break speed records. In fact, slower is better—especially when it comes to identifying those sneaky little faults like hairline cracks, root intrusions, or suspicious-looking deposits.
Quality assurance assessments consistently show that the faster the camera travels, the more likely it is to miss something important. And when you’re working to MSCC5 or NASSCO PACP standards, that’s not just a whoopsie—it’s a BIG problem.
What’s the Rush?
Let’s face it—pipes aren’t exactly action-packed. But the real action is in the details. Tiny fractures. Gradual collapses. Stray tree roots that shouldn’t be there. These things take a keen eye, and more importantly, the time to spot them.
If the crawler’s zipping along at the speed of a startled hare, we might miss:
- Minor structural defects like fine cracks or crazing
- Service defects such as intruding connections or stubborn deposits
- Changes in gradient, joint misalignments, and other subtle but critical clues
A calm, consistent crawl lets us pause, zoom, grade, and log each issue accurately—giving you a proper picture of your pipe’s condition.
Best Practice Speeds: The Tortoise Wins The Race
When it comes to CCTV drain surveys, we take our cue from the tortoise—not the hare. Industry best practice is all about steady, consistent movement, not a mad dash through the pipework to the finish line.
Recommended Camera Travel Speeds:
- 0.1 metres/second (6 metres per minute): Ideal for smaller pipes
- 0.2 metres/second (12 metres per minute): Acceptable in larger pipes, as long as clarity is maintained
Important tip:
If we spot a defect, we slow right down—or pause entirely—to make sure it’s properly logged and graded.
A smooth, methodical crawl ensures:
- Clearer images
- Accurate defect coding
- Compliance with MSCC5, NASSCO PACP, and WRc standards
So while speed might be exciting, it’s the slow and steady inspections that win the quality race.
Pipe Size Makes a Difference
- Smaller pipes (<300mm): Stick to lower speeds—every millimetre counts.
- Larger pipes (>600mm): A little extra speed is okay, but clarity must always come first.
Even lighting and camera focus rely on a controlled pace—go too fast, and you’ll lose the balance, making defect grading unreliable.
When the crawler is heading back to base, we don’t log defects unless requested. That means the return trip can be a bit quicker—but we still keep things smooth to avoid damage and ensure gear longevity.
Why This All Matters
Taking our time doesn’t mean wasting yours. A slower, methodical inspection means:
- More accurate condition assessments
- Fewer missed defects
- Compliance with MSCC5, NASSCO PACP, and WRc Manual best practices
- Better long-term value for you
Because when it comes to your pipes, you want data that’s clear, not rushed—and so do we.
And The Winner Is… (YOU)
At Happy Drains, we don’t just roll the camera—we roll it right. Our expert engineers follow strict QA protocols, and yes, we’re proud of our slow crawl game. It’s not flashy, but it’s how we deliver a CCTV report you can trust.
Need a drain survey done properly (and carefully)? Get in touch today—we’ll take it slow, so you don’t have to worry.
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