What Is a CCTV Drain Inspection?
A CCTV drain inspection uses a waterproof camera mounted on a flexible push rod that is fed into your drain pipe. A live HD video feed transmits to a monitor on the surface, allowing your plumber — and you — to see the full interior of the pipe in real time. The inspection is recorded so you receive a digital copy of the footage.
This replaces guesswork with certainty. Instead of recommending work based on symptoms alone, we see the actual problem — its exact location, severity, and cause — before recommending or quoting any repair.
What a Camera Inspection Reveals
- Tree root intrusion — exact entry points, root mass volume, and pipe damage extent
- Cracks and fractures — hairline through to major structural cracks in the pipe body
- Joint separation — pipe sections that have moved apart, allowing root entry and ground water ingress
- Collapsed pipe sections — fully or partially collapsed pipe that may require excavation
- Grease and scale accumulation — extent of buildup and whether urgent cleaning is needed
- Foreign objects — wipes, small items or debris lodged in the pipe
- Pipe material and condition — confirms terracotta, PVC, cast iron or concrete and overall structural integrity
- Incorrect fall — pipe sections where gradient is wrong, causing standing water
When to Book a CCTV Inspection
Pre-Purchase Property Inspection
A CCTV drain inspection before buying any pre-1980s Newcastle property is one of the most valuable due diligence steps you can take. Newcastle's older suburbs — Hamilton, Cooks Hill, Adamstown, Islington, Wallsend, Maitland — have high rates of terracotta pipe drainage with root intrusion and deterioration that isn't visible in a standard building inspection. Finding a $3,000 pipe relining job before settlement is far better than discovering it three months after moving in.
Repeat Drain Blockages
If your drain has blocked more than once in 12 months, a camera inspection identifies the underlying cause. Continuing to jet clean a pipe that actually needs relining is treating the symptom rather than the problem.
Before Pipe Relining
A CCTV inspection is mandatory before any relining work — it confirms the pipe is structurally suitable for a liner, measures the pipe diameter, and locates the section requiring treatment.
Unexplained Drainage Issues
Multiple slow drains, gurgling from multiple fixtures, or drainage problems that haven't responded to standard clearing all warrant a camera inspection to diagnose the actual cause.
CCTV Inspection Costs in Newcastle
| Inspection Type | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Single drain inspection | $200 – $300 |
| Full drainage system (pre-purchase) | $350 – $500 |
| Post-relining verification | Included in relining quote |
| Inspection + jet clean combined | $350 – $550 |
We provide a digital copy of the inspection footage with every inspection. Fixed quote provided before any repair work is recommended.