Know What Is Wrong Before You Pay for a Repair
A drain camera inspection sends a small waterproof camera through your drain or sewer line. You see the inside of the pipe on screen as we go, and we can locate the exact spot of a problem so any repair is targeted — not a guess.
It is the right first step for recurring clogs, backups, sewage smells, before installing a backwater valve, before lowering a basement and before buying an older home.
This page is about diagnosis. For clearing and fixing the line see drain repair & cleaning.
Problems a Drain Camera Can Find
| Problem | What it looks like | Usually leads to |
|---|---|---|
| Tree roots | Hair-like roots at joints | Root cutting, repair |
| Cracked or broken pipe | Visible cracks, missing pieces | Spot repair |
| Sagging (belly) | Standing water in a low section | Section replacement |
| Offset joints | Pipe sections out of line | Repair at the joint |
| Collapsed pipe | Pipe crushed or blocked | Replacement |
| Grease and debris | Buildup narrowing the pipe | Hydro jetting |
| Old clay weeping tile | Gaps, roots, silt | Weeping tile replacement |
When a Drain Camera Inspection Makes Sense
Recurring clogs
The same drain keeps blocking.
Backups after rain
Water through the floor drain during storms.
Sewage smell
From the floor drain or yard.
Buying an older home
Old clay sewer lines are hard to see any other way.
Before a backwater valve
We confirm the line and the best valve location.
Before lowering or renovating
Check the line before the floor is poured.
How a Camera Inspection Works
Access point
Through a floor drain, clean-out or opened line.
Run the camera
Camera pushed through the pipe while we watch live.
Locate
Distance to any problem is measured; depth located from above where needed.
Explain
We show you what we see and what it means.
Options
Cleaning, repair or no action — with a written quote if work is needed.
Drain Camera Inspection Cost
| Work | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Drain camera inspection | Quoted by access and line length |
| Inspection with video copy | On request |
| Cleaning or repair afterwards | Quoted in writing after the inspection |
If a repair is needed, you get a written quote before any work starts.
Related Services
What a Drain Inspection Camera Can Find
Tree roots
Exactly where roots enter and how much of the pipe they fill.
Cracks and breaks
Fractured clay, split cast iron and holes in the pipe wall.
Collapsed sections
Places where the pipe has caved in and water can barely pass.
Sags and offsets
Low spots that hold waste and joints that have shifted.
Blockages
Grease, debris or objects stuck in the line.
Wrong connections
Weeping tile or downspouts tied into the sewer, and missing backwater valves.
When to Book a Camera Drain Inspection
Before buying a home
Especially older homes with clay sewer lines and mature trees.
After a sewer backup
To find out why it happened before the next storm.
Repeat clogs
The same drain clogging again means something inside the pipe is wrong.
Before finishing a basement
Cheap to check now, expensive to dig up a new floor later.
Before a backwater valve
To confirm the line is sound where the valve will go.
Slow drains everywhere
A main line problem usually shows up in every basement fixture at once.
Camera Inspection vs Guesswork
With a drain camera inspection
- You see the problem on screen
- We find its exact location and depth
- Only the damaged section is opened
- You get video to keep for insurance or a home sale
Without one
- Repairs are based on symptoms
- Floors or lawns get opened in the wrong place
- Clearing a drain may hide a broken pipe
- Problems come back after the clog is cleared
What Happens After the Inspection
| What we find | Next step |
|---|---|
| Pipe is sound | Nothing to do — keep the video for your records |
| Light roots or build-up | Drain cleaning or hydro jetting |
| Crack, break or collapse in one spot | Section repair at that exact point |
| Old clay line in poor shape | Replacement options and a written quote |
| Weeping tile tied to the sewer | Severance and a sump pump, with City subsidy |
Drain camera inspection cost depends on access and line length — we confirm it when you book.
Drain Camera Inspection Questions
What is a drain camera inspection?
A video inspection of drain or sewer pipes using a waterproof camera on a flexible cable, so problems can be seen and located without digging.
Is a camera inspection worth it before buying a home?
Often yes, especially for older homes with clay sewer lines. It can reveal roots, cracks or collapse that are expensive to fix.
How long does a drain camera inspection take?
Usually part of one visit; longer lines or difficult access take more time.
Do I get a video or report?
Yes, on request — a video copy or a summary of what we found.
Does the inspection include cleaning?
No — it is diagnosis. If the line needs cleaning or repair, we quote it separately.
Can a camera find where my sewer line is broken?
Yes. We measure the distance and can locate the spot from above so only that section is opened.
How long does a drain camera inspection take?
Most home inspections take about an hour, including setting up, running the camera through the main line and talking you through what we see.
Do I get a video of the inspection?
Yes. We record the inspection and share the footage so you can keep it for your records, your insurer or a home sale.
Is a camera inspection worth it before buying a house?
For older homes, yes. Replacing a broken sewer line can cost thousands, and a camera shows its condition before you commit.
Does the inspection damage the pipes?
No. The camera goes in through an existing cleanout or drain opening and does not touch the pipe walls in any harmful way.
Book a Drain Camera Inspection
Tell us what is happening with your drains. We will inspect the line and explain what we find.
Call now — Mon–Fri 7 AM – 4 PM(416) 992-5858Office: 58 Six Point Rd, Etobicoke, ON M8Z 2X2
Email: info@leaquida.ca