When a camera inspection makes sense
- A drain keeps backing up after being cleared
- Water comes up through the basement floor drain
- You're buying an older home and want to know the state of the sewer line
- Another company quoted a big repair and you want to see the evidence first
- You're finishing a basement and want to know what's under the floor before it's covered
- Sewer smell with no obvious source
What you'll see
We feed a waterproof camera on a flexible cable into the line through a cleanout, floor drain or stack. The picture shows on a screen in real time, and we talk you through it. The locator in the camera head tells us how far along the line and how deep a problem sits, so any repair can be pinpointed.
Common findings:
- Grease and scale build-up that narrows the pipe
- Tree roots at joints, from fine hairs to a solid mat
- Cracks, offsets and breaks in clay or cast iron
- Sags where water sits in a low spot
- Corroded cast iron with flaking walls or a rotted-out bottom
- A clean, healthy line, which is good news worth knowing
Why see it before you fix it
Without a camera, a plumber is guessing. You might pay for a cleaning that can't fix a broken pipe, or for a replacement you didn't need. With footage, you can see the cause, compare options, and make the decision yourself. Customers often tell us that seeing the problem was what made them comfortable going ahead.
See inside your drain
Book a camera inspection and watch the screen with a Red Seal plumber.
What it costs
A camera inspection is priced as its own visit. We'll quote it on the phone before we book. If the line needs cleaning first so the camera can pass, we'll tell you that before we start. When the inspection leads to a repair, we explain how the visit counts toward the job.
Buying an older Ottawa home?
A sewer scope before you close can save a nasty surprise. Many Glebe, Westboro, Alta Vista and Old Ottawa South homes still have original clay or cast iron lines. We'll inspect the line, give you the footage and a written summary, and price any repairs you might want to negotiate.
