Telltale signs: sewer camera inspection
A video inspection is the plainest way to answer a question that otherwise involves a shovel. We push a sealed camera head on a stiff, bendable cable down the line and watch the picture on a monitor as it travels toward the city connection. The recording shows cracks, offset joints, sags, roots and old repairs as they really are.
Homeowners usually ask for one in these situations:
- Recurring backups in the basement floor drain or lowest toilet
- Before buying a house built before the 1970s
- After a drain has been cleared and you want to know why it blocked
- Before a basement renovation that will cover the floor over existing pipe
- When a contractor has proposed digging and you would like a second look
What we bring
- Jetter or sectional cable machine with root and grease heads
- Push camera with a sonde to mark depth
- Spare cleanout caps and test balls
Tested before we leave
- Camera run end to end after clearing
- Depth and distance of each defect marked
- Recording reviewed with you on screen
On the job: what we open, clear and test
We need an access point: a cleanout, a floor drain, or occasionally a toilet that we lift for the purpose. The camera head records distance as it goes, and a locator above ground can pinpoint where the head sits and how deep it is. That combination lets us mark a problem on your lawn or driveway rather than describing it vaguely.
If the pipe is badly blocked, the camera cannot pass, so the line may need clearing first. Afterwards we sit down with you, play back the relevant footage and explain what each finding means. Where a repair is warranted, we discuss options such as a spot repair or a full sewer line replacement.
What can change the job
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Cleanout access | No cleanout means entering through a fixture, which takes longer. |
| Standing water | A sag holding water hides the bottom of the pipe from view. |
| Pipe type | Clay, cast iron, pitch fibre and plastic each fail in recognizable ways. |
| Length of run | Deep lots and set-back houses need a longer cable. |
Etobicoke homes and this job
Streets in Sunnylea and similar mature neighbourhoods are lined with old maples and willows, and roots find clay joints with remarkable patience. Postwar subdivisions sometimes have pitch-fibre or early plastic laterals that deform with age. A camera tells these situations apart quickly, which matters because the fixes are not the same.
Remember that the drain often passes under the city boulevard before joining the municipal sewer. If the fault lies on the city side, the footage helps you raise it with Toronto Water rather than paying for work that is not yours to fund.
Before you call
Find your basement cleanout if you can; it is often a capped fitting near the front wall or beside the floor drain. Move stored boxes away from it. If you are buying, ask the seller's agent for permission and access in advance. While you are planning other basement equipment, our tank versus tankless comparison is another homeowner guide in our logbook.