A sewer camera inspection records video of the inside of your building drain and lateral from an access point to the municipal main, with distances and surface locates for any defects. It usually takes about an hour for a house and costs a few hundred dollars. It is most valuable before buying, before renovating, and after a backup.
- Get the full video, distances and locates, not just a verbal summary.
- Sort findings into structural and maintenance defects before deciding what to do.
- Confirm ownership with your municipality before paying for work near the property line.
01 /About these answers
These are the questions homeowners, buyers and condo boards ask most often about sewer camera inspections, answered briefly. Each answer links to a deeper guide where one exists. For how the process works end to end, start with how a sewer camera inspection works. For defect codes in a report, use the inspection report decoder, and to see a report's findings drawn along the line, use the Lateral Defect Map.
Several questions have their own deep guides: whether a scope is worth it, how long it takes, whether you can rent a camera and do it yourself, whether a scope can cause problems, and who does sewer scopes and how to choose one.
FAQAll questions
What is a sewer camera inspection?
It is a video survey of the inside of a building's drain and sewer lateral, made by pushing a waterproof lighted camera through the pipe from a cleanout or toilet flange to the municipal main, with a distance counter and a locator to mark findings on the ground.
How long does a sewer scope take?
For a typical house with a good cleanout, about 45 to 90 minutes on site. Difficult access, a blocked line or several branches can make it longer.
How much does a sewer camera inspection cost in Canada?
A straightforward residential scope is commonly quoted around $200 to $500 in 2026 as a planning estimate. Access, cleaning, locating and reporting affect the price.
Should I get a sewer scope before buying a house?
In most resale purchases, yes, especially for homes built before the 1980s, lots with mature trees, or any history of backups. The pre-purchase guide covers the decision in detail.
Does a home inspection include the sewer line?
Usually not. Home inspections cover visible, accessible systems. The buried sewer lateral generally requires a separate camera inspection.
Where does the camera go in?
The preferred entry is a main cleanout. Without one, the technician may remove a toilet and enter at the flange, or use a roof vent. Floor drains are rarely useful because of the trap.
Will I get a copy of the video?
You should. Ask for the full unedited video file or a download link before the technician leaves. It is the primary evidence of the pipe's condition.
What does a good sewer inspection report include?
The video, address and date, entry point and counter zero, pipe material, an observation list with distances and clock positions, surface locates with depth estimates, a line sketch, and a clear statement of anything not inspected.
What are the most common defects found?
Root intrusion at joints, offset and separated joints, cracks and fractures, sags that hold water, and deposits such as scale and grease. Older clay and cast iron lines show them most. See common sewer defects.
What do PACP codes like RMJ or JOM mean?
They are standardized NASSCO codes. RMJ is medium roots at a joint; JOM is a medium joint offset. Use the inspection report decoder to translate others.
What does it mean when the camera goes underwater?
The lens has entered standing water, usually in a sag or behind a blockage downstream. The pipe wall there cannot be inspected until the water is removed or the blockage cleared.
Can a sewer camera find the depth of my line?
Yes, approximately. A sonde in the camera head is detected by a locator above ground, which estimates depth. Treat it as an estimate and confirm carefully before digging.
Should the line be cleaned before the inspection?
For a purchase baseline, inspecting as found shows what you inherit. For diagnosing damage, cleaning first reveals the pipe wall. Many contractors inspect, clean, and inspect again.
Who is responsible for the sewer line, me or the city?
It depends on the municipality. Responsibility is usually split somewhere along the lateral. Confirm with your city before paying for work near the property line; in Calgary, call 311.
Does insurance cover sewer line repairs?
Policies vary. Sewer backup coverage is often an optional endorsement and typically covers resulting water damage rather than the pipe repair itself. Read your policy and ask your insurer.
How often should I have my sewer inspected?
There is no single schedule. Scope before buying, before renovations over the line, after any backup, and at intervals if you have a root-prone line being maintained.
Can roots be removed permanently?
Cutting removes roots temporarily; they regrow through the same opening. Sealing the joint by lining, repair or replacement is the long-term fix. See SewerRoots.ca for prevention.
Is a sag in a sewer line serious?
It depends on depth and length. A shallow dip may never cause problems; a long, deep sag collects solids and can cause repeated blockages. Correcting a significant sag usually requires excavation.
Can a condo buyer get a sewer scope?
Usually not on shared piping, which the corporation manages. Ask for existing videos, maintenance records and the reserve fund study. See condo and multi-unit inspections.
Is it safe to open a cleanout myself?
Opening a cleanout on a backed-up line can release sewage and sewer gas under pressure. Leave it to a professional, keep clear when caps are removed, and never enter a manhole or deep pit.
What should I do after the inspection?
Sort findings into baseline, clean and monitor, targeted repair or replacement, confirm ownership, and get a second opinion for large work. See after the inspection.
Can I rent a sewer camera and scope my own line?
Some rental outlets carry push cameras, and consumer inspection cameras are sold online. A do-it-yourself look can find an obvious blockage, but rentals rarely include a locator, and the result is weak evidence for a purchase, claim or repair quote.
Can a sewer scope damage my pipe or my toilet?
A camera does not harm a sound pipe. The practical risks are at the access point: a toilet reset that leaks, a seized cleanout plug that cracks its fitting, or a camera snagged in pipe that was already broken. Agree in advance who pays if something goes wrong.
Who does sewer scope inspections?
Drain and sewer contractors, plumbing companies, home inspectors with camera equipment and specialist inspection firms. Compare them on deliverables and on whether the inspection is kept separate from any repair sale.
Is HAUSE Sewer a plumbing contractor?
No. SewerInspector.ca is part of an independent information and quote-request network. It explains inspections and connects people who ask with contractors; it does not perform the work.