CCTV Drain Inspection.Done Right.

Why use a drain camera

A camera on a flexible rod travels along a drain and records what it sees: cracks, roots, joints that have shifted, low spots where water sits and build-up on the walls. It lets a plumber see the cause of a problem instead of guessing, and it shows you the pipe's condition on screen.

What the camera can and cannot show

It shows the inside of the pipe at the moment of inspection. It cannot see through a collapsed section or a total blockage, and picture quality depends on the condition of the pipe. It does not show a leak that is only active under pressure, and it does not replace a pressure test for water pipes.

Signs that point to a camera inspection

Repeated blockages in the same drain, gurgling noises, smells in the yard, slow drains through the house, damp patches on the lawn or a sink that burbles when the washing machine empties are good reasons. So is a house you are considering buying that has older clay pipes.

Before you buy or renovate

Before buying an older house, ask whether a camera inspection of the sewer line can be done before settlement. It can reveal cracked or root-affected pipe that may be costly to fix. It does not replace a building inspection. Before a pool, extension or driveway goes over a drain, an inspection shows where the pipe runs and what shape it is in.

What the inspection involves

The plumber finds an access point, such as an inspection opening or a cleaning eye, feeds the camera along the pipe and records the footage while noting distances to anything of concern. If the pipe is full of debris, it may need cleaning or jetting first for a clear picture.

Reading the report

Ask the plumber to explain each issue and how urgent it is. A single hairline crack is different from roots through three joints. A written list of faults with distances from the access point lets you compare quotes for repairs on the same basis.

Keeping a drain record

Keep the footage and written notes with your house records. If the drain is inspected again in a few years, the two sets of footage show whether a fault has changed, and any plumber or builder you hire later can see what was there.

Questions people ask about drain cameras

How long does it take?

A simple inspection can be quick, but long or complicated drains take longer. If cleaning is needed first, allow more time.

Will it damage the pipe?

Cameras are designed for drains, but a very fragile or collapsed pipe can be damaged by any tool. Tell the plumber about earlier problems.

Can the footage go to my insurer or conveyancer?

Yes, you should be able to share it. Ask for a copy of the file.

Do you need an access point?

Usually yes. If none exists, the plumber can discuss options for getting in, which may include adding an inspection opening.

What a drain inspection visit looks like

The plumber locates an access point, protects the area around it and feeds a camera head on a flexible rod through the pipe while watching a monitor and recording. They note distances to joints, junctions and faults, and mark surface positions where it helps. A straightforward inspection can be done in a short visit. Long runs, tight bends or a pipe full of debris take longer, and the plumber may suggest cleaning first.

Tell the plumber about earlier blockages, repairs and extensions, since they show where to look.

Common findings and what they mean

Roots at joints show where the pipe is open. A belly, where the pipe sags and holds water, causes repeat blockages. Cracks and offset joints can leak and let soil in. Scale and grease narrow a pipe, and a broken section may have collapsed. Each finding leads to a different repair, from cleaning to relining or replacing a section.

After the inspection: choosing a repair

Ask for the footage and a written note of faults with their distances. If repairs are needed, get quotes on the same basis: which section, which method and how the surface will be restored. A small fault may not need immediate work, but it can be rechecked later against the footage.

Reading the inspection report

The report shows pipe material, joints, cracks, roots and fall. Ask the plumber to explain each finding and mark the position.

Keep the footage for buying or selling a home.

When to inspect

Before buying, before building over drains, after repeated blockages or before relining. A camera replaces guesswork.

Ask for the footage on a USB or by link.

What a camera inspection costs you in time

An inspection usually takes a short visit, depending on the length of the drain and access points. The plumber needs access to an inspection opening, gully or cleanout. Clear the area first.

Ask for the findings in writing, with photos.

Buying or selling a home: what a drain camera can tell you

A drain inspection before you buy a house shows the condition of pipes you cannot see: cracks, roots, displaced joints, sagging sections and previous repairs. It does not give you a guarantee about the future, but it gives you a record of the pipe on the day, which you can use when negotiating or planning repairs. If you are selling, an inspection can show buyers that a drain has been checked.

Ask the plumber to mark the position of any fault against a fixed point, for example the distance from the inspection opening, and to note the pipe material where visible. Keep the footage with your property papers. A fault near the boundary may raise the question of who looks after that part of the line, so check with your water retailer if the camera shows a problem close to the street connection.

Guides worth reading

• Why Your Drains Keep Blocking and What Actually Fixes Them
• How a Jet Blaster Clears Stubborn Drains

Related plumbing services

• Emergency Plumbing: Burst pipes, flooding, gas smells and no hot water. Call any hour, any day.
• Blocked Drains: Slow sinks, gurgling pipes and smelly drains cleared and the cause found.
• Blocked Toilets: Blocked, slow or overflowing toilets cleared without making a mess of your bathroom.
• Tree Root Removal from Drains: Roots clearing out of sewer and stormwater pipes, with advice on stopping them returning.
• Emergency plumbing is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Talk to GSA Plumbing Services

Call 0401 041 103 or send an enquiry on the contact page. We work across Geelong, Melbourne and surrounding suburbs.