What to expect during a drain inspection camera service

Most people call us after they have tried everything else. The drain keeps blocking, the shower is slow, or there is a bad smell they cannot track down. A CCTV drain inspection lets us see exactly what is going on inside your pipes without ripping anything up.

We push a small camera through the drain, watch the footage live, and tell you straight away what the problem is. No guesswork, no unnecessary digging.

How drain inspection cameras work

The camera itself is a small waterproof unit on the end of a flexible cable. We feed it into the drain through an access point - usually a manhole, inspection opening, or floor waste - and it sends a live video feed back to a monitor.

The cable is flexible enough to get around bends and junctions, so we can inspect the full length of the pipe. We are looking for blockages, cracks, collapsed sections, tree root intrusion, and any other damage. The footage is recorded so we can review it with you and show you exactly where the issue is.

Why we use camera inspections

The biggest advantage is accuracy. We know exactly what is wrong and exactly where it is before we start any work. That means we are not guessing, and you are not paying for repairs you do not need.

A camera inspection also picks up problems that are building but have not caused a full blockage yet. Hairline cracks, root growth starting to enter a join, a section of pipe that is sagging and collecting sediment - these are things you would never know about until they cause a serious issue.

It also saves time. We can inspect 30 or 40 metres of pipe in under an hour. Compare that to the old method of digging exploratory holes in your yard.

What happens during the inspection

We follow the same process on every job.

First, we have a look at your property and work out the best access point to get the camera into the system. This is usually a manhole or inspection shaft, but it depends on your setup.

Then we feed the camera in. As it moves through the pipe, we watch the footage on a screen in real time. If we spot a blockage or damage, we note the distance from the entry point so we know the exact location.

Once the camera has been through the full length of pipe, we pull it back and go over the footage with you. We will explain what we found, what it means, and what your options are. If it is a straightforward blockage that needs clearing, we can usually sort it on the spot. If there is structural damage that needs a drain repair or pipe relining, we will give you an honest quote.

When you should book an inspection

There are a few situations where a camera inspection is the right call:

• Your drains are slow and plunging or drain cleaner is not fixing it
• You keep getting blockages in the same spot
• Water is pooling around your stormwater drain after rain
• You have bought an older property and want to know the state of the pipes before something goes wrong
• There is a sewage smell but no obvious source

Do not wait for a small issue to turn into a flooded laundry or a collapsed pipe under your slab. The earlier we can get a camera in there, the cheaper and simpler the fix tends to be.

Get in touch

If your drains are playing up and you want a straight answer, give us a call. We will send a camera down, show you what we find, and give you your options - no pressure.

Call us on 1300 303 247 or fill out our contact form to book an inspection.