A drain that slows down again soon after cleaning may be telling you that the problem is deeper than the fixture trap. A CCTV sewer inspection lets a qualified contractor see inside an accessible drain or sewer line and document conditions that cannot be confirmed from the surface.
When recurring symptoms deserve investigation
One slow sink may be a local blockage. Several slow fixtures, gurgling, repeated backups, unexplained odours or a problem that returns after cleaning can point to a restriction farther along the system. Symptoms alone do not identify the cause, so avoid assuming that roots, a collapsed pipe or grease are responsible before inspection.
What a camera inspection may reveal
Depending on access and visibility, video can help document roots, debris, displaced joints, cracks, corrosion, standing water or a change in pipe material. It can also help locate a problem before excavation is considered. A camera cannot see through heavy blockage or prove conditions outside the pipe wall, so cleaning or another investigation may be required first.
What to request in the report
- The inspected route and access point
- Video or representative images
- Approximate location and depth when available
- A plain-language description of observations
- Recommended next steps and their urgency
Before buying or renovating
A sewer inspection may be worth considering before purchasing an older property, building over a possible pipe route, landscaping near buried services or renovating a basement. The broader homeowner guide at PlumbingDrainage.ca explains when inspections can support planning and documentation.
Use the findings to choose the next step
Not every observation requires excavation. The appropriate response depends on pipe condition, symptoms, location, access and local requirements. Drain and sewer work can involve confined spaces, contamination, buried utilities and permits; qualified professionals should perform the work.
For drainage help in New Westminster and the Lower Mainland, contact WNPD at (236) 880-9932 or info@wnpd.ca.