After a sewer inspection, sort every finding into one of four paths: do nothing and keep the video as a baseline; clean and monitor with a reinspection date; repair a specific section by spot repair or lining; or replace the line. Structural defects push toward repair or replacement, maintenance defects toward cleaning. Confirm who owns the defective section before paying for it.
- Match the response to the defect type: maintenance problems get cleaning and monitoring; structural problems get repair.
- Check ownership before pricing anything beyond the property line.
- Get a second opinion on the video before large repairs, especially if the inspector also sells the repair.
- Reinspect after cleaning or repair to confirm the result, then set a monitoring interval if needed.
- Keep every video; a series over time is the best evidence of whether a defect is stable or worsening.
01 /What are the four paths after a sewer inspection?
The four paths are baseline, clean and monitor, targeted repair, and replacement. Every finding in a report fits one of them. Sorting the findings this way turns a long video into a short, costed plan.
| Path | Fits when | What happens next |
|---|---|---|
| Baseline | No significant defects; minor staining or light deposits | File the video; reinspect if symptoms appear or before sale |
| Clean and monitor | Roots, grease, scale or debris without major structural damage | Clean with a suitable method, video after cleaning, set a reinspection interval |
| Targeted repair | One or a few structural defects in otherwise sound pipe | Spot repair by excavation or a sectional liner; video after |
| Replacement | Collapse, deformed fibre pipe, many fractures, severe sags, or defects throughout | Excavated or trenchless replacement; video after |
02 /When is cleaning and monitoring enough?
Cleaning and monitoring is enough when the problems are inside the pipe rather than in the pipe itself and when the pipe beneath is sound. Light to moderate roots at a few joints, grease buildup and light scale commonly fall here. The key is to video after cleaning to confirm there was nothing worse hidden underneath.
- Clean with a method matched to the pipe
Mechanical root cutting, hydro jetting or descaling depending on material and condition. PipeCleaning.ca matches methods to pipe types.
- Scope again after cleaning
Confirms the line is clear and shows the pipe wall under the roots or scale.
- Set a reinspection or maintenance interval
Root-prone lines are often recleaned on a schedule; the interval depends on regrowth seen on video.
- Compare videos over time
If roots return faster, or cracks lengthen, move to the repair path.
03 /When is a targeted repair the right call?
A targeted repair is the right call when structural defects are isolated and the rest of the line is sound. An offset joint with soil entering, a single fracture, or a broken section at one location can often be repaired without replacing the whole run.
Before a targeted repair, look at the whole video. If the same defect appears at many joints, repairing one may only move the problem to the next. After the repair, a video confirms the result, and new pipe may also be pressure-tested before it is backfilled if the plumbing inspector requires it; dye, smoke and pressure testing explains how those tests work.
04 /When does replacement make more sense?
Replacement makes more sense when defects are widespread, when the material is at end of life, or when the pipe is too damaged to host a liner. Collapse, deformed bituminous fibre pipe, repeated fractures, cast iron with holes throughout, and long, deep sags are typical triggers.
| Method | What it does | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Open-cut excavation | Dig a trench and lay new pipe | Surface disturbance; best for fixing grade |
| Full-length lining (CIPP) | New pipe cured inside the old | Needs a host pipe that is round and not collapsed; does not fix sags |
| Pipe bursting | Pulls new pipe through, breaking the old outward | Needs access pits; nearby utilities and soil matter |
Both trenchless methods depend on what the video shows. Lining needs a host pipe that is round, reasonably aligned and clean enough to bond; bursting needs a clear path with room for pits at each end and enough distance from gas lines and other utilities. The locate marks from your inspection tell a contractor where the pits could go.
Replacement quotes vary widely. SewerQuotes.com explains how to compare them line by line.
05 /Who owns the section with the defect?
Ownership of a sewer lateral usually splits between the property owner and the municipality, but where it splits differs by city. Some municipalities make the owner responsible from the house to the property line, others to the main, and some share responsibility differently or offer programs for the municipal portion. Before you pay to repair a defect near or past the property line, confirm with your municipality.
- Ask the inspector to locate the property line crossing if possible, or at least the defect distance relative to the curb.
- Call the municipality with the video, the distance and the address. In Calgary, 311 is the entry point.
- If the defect is at the tie-in to the main, the municipality may need to inspect from the main side.
- Keep a written record of what the municipality says and when.
06 /Should you get a second opinion on the video?
Get a second opinion when the recommended work is large, when the inspecting company also sells the repair, or when the report is vague. Send the full video and the report to another qualified contractor and ask for their assessment and quote. Because the video is objective evidence, a second opinion does not need a second camera visit in many cases.
- Send the unedited video with the address and entry point.
- Ask specifically: which defects need repair, which can be monitored, and why.
- Ask whether lining is feasible and whether any sag needs excavation.
- Compare the observation lists between reports; disagreements are worth a conversation.
Codes in either report can be looked up in the inspection report decoder. If you need a company to review the video, how to choose a sewer inspection company explains how the provider's business model shapes its advice.
07 /How often should a sewer be reinspected?
Reinspection frequency depends on what was found. A clean PVC line may never need a routine scope. A clay line with recurring roots may be scoped whenever it is cleaned. After any repair, a video confirms the work. Use the table as a starting point, adjusted to your own history.
| Situation | Reasonable reinspection trigger |
|---|---|
| Clean line, no symptoms | Before sale, renovation over the line, or if symptoms appear |
| Roots cleaned | At the next cleaning or when flow slows; compare regrowth |
| Minor structural defect monitored | Periodically, and after any backup |
| After spot repair or lining | Immediately after the work; again if symptoms appear |
| After a backup | As soon as the line is cleared; see inspecting after a backup |
Need a follow-up scope, a second opinion or a repair assessment? Request a quote.
08 /How do you turn a report into a plan?
- List every observation with its distance and sort it into structural or maintenance.
- Mark which findings sit on private property and which may be the municipality's.
- Assign each one a path: baseline, clean and monitor, targeted repair or replacement.
- Get at least two quotes for any repair, both based on the same video.
- Schedule a post-work video and put the next reinspection date in your calendar.
A one-page plan like this is also what a buyer, seller, insurer or condo board needs to see. It turns a video into decisions with dates. The Lateral Defect Map gives you the first step in printable form: every observation drawn along the line by distance and coloured by concern, ready to attach to the plan.
FAQQuestions people ask
What should I do if my sewer inspection shows roots?
Have the roots cleared with a suitable method, scope again to see the pipe underneath, and set a cleaning or reinspection interval. If roots return quickly or the joints are damaged, consider lining or repair.
Is lining better than replacing a sewer line?
Neither is always better. Lining avoids most digging and suits round, aligned pipe. Replacement suits collapsed pipe, deformed fibre pipe and sags that need regrading.
Can I negotiate a house price with a sewer inspection?
Yes. A video with located defects and a written repair quote is the strongest basis for a price reduction, a credit or a seller repair.
Do I need to video the line after it is repaired?
It is strongly advisable. A post-repair video confirms the work, shows the line is clear and becomes your baseline.
Will home insurance pay for a repair the camera found?
Coverage depends on your policy. Sewer backup coverage is often an optional endorsement and typically addresses water damage in the home rather than repairs to the pipe itself. Read your policy and ask your insurer.
How long do sewer repairs last?
It depends on method, material and installation quality. Ask each contractor what warranty they provide in writing and what it covers.
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