What sewer camera inspection involves
We feed a self-levelling camera head through a cleanout, or through the floor flange of a lifted toilet, and push it along the line toward the street. A counter on the reel tracks distance in feet, and a locator above ground can pick up the signal from the camera head, and we spray-paint the location on the grass or asphalt.
| What we look for | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Root intrusion at joints | Roots return after clearing unless the joint is sealed or replaced |
| Offset or sagging sections | Low spots hold water and solids |
| Cracks or missing tile | Soil can wash in and the line can collapse |
| Heavy scale in cast iron | Narrows the pipe and snags paper |
| Material changes | Shows where earlier repairs were made |
Why North York houses need it
Many North York laterals are now older than the people living above them. Buying a house built in the 1950s or 1960s without seeing the sewer is a gamble; so is digging up a front yard without knowing exactly where the fault is. A camera run also shows whether a backwater valve can go in where you want it, and whether the line needs work first.
Plumber's tip: A camera cannot see through a full pipe. If the line is backed up, we clear it first, sometimes with a jetter, then inspect.
How we write up the job
The written summary lists each finding with the distance from the cleanout, the clock position on the pipe wall where it matters, and our honest grade: watch it, clean it, or repair it. You keep the recording. If you are buying a house, we write the summary so another contractor can read it without us in the room.
Signs you should call
- You are buying an older detached house or semi.
- The main line has been cleared more than once in two years.
- You plan to finish the basement or add a bathroom below grade.
- A sinkhole or soft patch has appeared over the sewer path.
Costs and what affects them
Access is again the main variable. A clean, open cleanout takes far less time than a line that must be cleared first or entered through a toilet flange. Locating and marking a fault adds a short step. The quote comes before we set up.
Job at a glance
| Category | Sewer |
|---|---|
| Tools | Push camera with self-levelling head, sonde locator, footage counter |
| Final test | Recorded run from cleanout to city connection with marked faults |
Tell-tale signs
- The main line has needed clearing twice in a year
- You're buying a 1950s or 1960s house
- A rebuild will tie new plumbing into the old lateral
Steps on the job
- Clear the line first so the lens sees the pipe, not the water
- Push the camera from the cleanout and log footage at each joint
- Note offsets, root entry, sags and any change of pipe material
- Locate the problem spot from above with the sonde transmitter
Your questions on this one
Can I get a copy of the video?
Yes. The recording is yours. Keep it with your house papers.
Can the camera harm the pipe?
No. The head is pushed, not driven, and it follows the existing pipe.