The inspection report decoder translates common sewer defect codes and terms, in the style of NASSCO PACP, into plain language. Search or select a code such as RMJ, FL, JOM or MWL to see what the defect is, how severe it typically is, and the usual next step. It explains a report; it does not replace reviewing the video with a qualified professional.
- NASSCO PACP is the North American standard for coding and grading sewer pipe defects; LACP applies it to laterals.
- Grades run from 1 (minor) to 5 (most severe), and structural and maintenance defects are graded separately.
- Residential reports often use plain words instead of codes; the decoder accepts both.
- Severity in the decoder is a typical range; actual grade depends on size, extent and the coding rules applied by a certified operator.
- Use the result to ask better questions, then confirm on the video.
Inspection Report Decoder
01 /How do you use the inspection report decoder?
Use the decoder by typing a code or word from your report into the search box, or by choosing a defect family from the list. Each result shows the plain-language meaning, a typical severity band, what it usually looks like on video, and the usual next step.
- Open your report and the video side by side
Note each observation's distance and code or description.
- Search the code or term
For example 'RBJ', 'offset', 'belly', 'fracture' or 'MWL'.
- Read the meaning and typical severity
The decoder gives a general severity band, not a formal grade for your pipe.
- Check it on the video
Pause at the distance in the report and compare what you see with the description.
- Note the usual next step
Clean, monitor, repair or replace. Use this to frame questions for your contractor.
If your report has no codes, search the plain words it uses. If it has neither clear codes nor clear descriptions, see what a good report contains.
Once each code is translated into a plain type, you can see the whole report at once in the Lateral Defect Map. Enter each observation's distance and type, and the map draws the run from your access point to the main with markers coloured by concern.
02 /What is NASSCO PACP?
NASSCO PACP is the Pipeline Assessment Certification Program run by NASSCO, a North American association for the underground pipeline rehabilitation industry. PACP defines standard codes for what an operator observes in a pipe, rules for recording them, and a grading system for severity. Operators take training and certification to code consistently. Related programs are LACP for laterals and MACP for manholes.
The value of PACP is consistency. Two certified operators coding the same pipe should produce comparable records, so a municipality or large property owner can compare pipes, track change over time and plan spending. That consistency is why municipal mainline surveys in much of North America, including many Canadian municipalities, are coded to PACP. How those crawler surveys are run is covered in CCTV sewer inspection, and what an operator's PACP or LACP certificate does and does not prove is in certification and training.
03 /How do PACP grades 1 to 5 work?
PACP grades each defect from 1 to 5, where 1 is minor and 5 is most severe. Structural defects and operation and maintenance (O&M) defects receive separate grades. In general terms, the grade reflects how likely the defect is to lead to failure or loss of function and how soon.
| Grade | General meaning | Typical response |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minor defect | Note; no action needed |
| 2 | Defects that have not begun to deteriorate | Monitor over the long term |
| 3 | Moderate defects that may continue to deteriorate | Plan; monitor more closely |
| 4 | Severe defects that will likely become grade 5 in the foreseeable future | Plan repair |
| 5 | Pipe has failed or is likely to fail soon | Prioritize repair or replacement |
Grades combine into summary scores. A common one is the Quick Rating, a four-character summary where the first digit is the highest grade found and the second is how many of that grade occur, followed by the next-highest grade and its count. For example, a structural quick rating of '5132' would indicate one grade-5 defect and two grade-3 defects. Pipe ratings add up grades across all defects. Exact scoring rules follow the PACP version in use.
04 /Which codes does the decoder cover?
The decoder covers the observation families most often seen in residential and small-building reports: roots, cracks and fractures, broken pipe and holes, joint offsets and separations, deformation, collapse, deposits, water level and sags, infiltration and common pipe features. The table lists representative codes; the widget contains the searchable set.
| Code | Meaning | Family | Typical severity | Usual next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RFJ | Roots, fine, at a joint | O&M | Low | Clean; monitor regrowth |
| RMJ | Roots, medium, at a joint | O&M | Moderate | Clean; consider sealing |
| RBJ | Roots, ball, at a joint | O&M | High | Clear; reinspect for damage |
| RTJ | Roots, tap, at a joint | O&M | Moderate | Cut; check entry point |
| CL / CC / CM | Crack: longitudinal, circumferential, multiple | Structural | Low to moderate | Monitor or include in repair plan |
| FL / FC / FM | Fracture: longitudinal, circumferential, multiple | Structural | Moderate to high | Repair opinion |
| B | Broken pipe | Structural | High | Spot repair or replacement |
| H | Hole | Structural | High | Repair |
| JOM / JOL | Joint offset, medium / large | Structural | Moderate to high | Repair or line if feasible |
| JSM / JSL | Joint separated, medium / large | Structural | Moderate to high | Repair; check for soil entry |
| D | Deformed pipe | Structural | Moderate to high | Assess extent; lining may not be feasible |
| X | Collapse | Structural | Highest | Replace section |
| DAE / DAGS | Deposits attached: encrustation / grease | O&M | Low to moderate | Clean or descale |
| DSGV / DSF | Deposits settled: gravel / fine | O&M | Low to moderate | Clean; look for source upstream |
| MWL | Water level | Observation | Context | Deep or rising water suggests sag or blockage |
| MWLS | Water level, sag | Observation | Context to moderate | Judge by depth and length |
| IW / ID / IR / IG | Infiltration: weeper, dripper, runner, gusher | O&M | Low to high | Seal joint or defect |
For what each defect family means physically, read common sewer defects explained. For how they look on video, read how to read sewer camera footage.
05 /Why don't most residential reports use formal codes?
Most residential reports do not use formal codes because the audience is a homeowner or buyer who needs a decision, not a record for an asset management database. Plain descriptions such as 'medium roots at joint, 6.5 m' are easier to act on. Many residential operators are not PACP or LACP certified, and coding adds time and cost that small jobs rarely justify.
Neither type is automatically better. A precise plain-language report beats a coded report with missing distances. For condo boards and property managers comparing surveys over years, coding is often worth asking for; see condo and multi-unit inspections.
06 /What are the limits of the decoder?
The decoder explains codes in general terms; it cannot grade your pipe. A formal PACP grade depends on the defect's size and extent, modifiers, and rules applied by a certified operator looking at the actual video. Two defects with the same code can deserve very different responses depending on the pipe, depth, location and trend.
- It does not see your video; it only explains terms.
- Severity bands are typical, not a grade for your pipe.
- Codes and abbreviations vary between PACP versions and between companies.
- It does not decide ownership; defects near the property line need a check with your municipality.
- It is not a repair recommendation. Use it to ask better questions of qualified contractors.
With the codes decoded, the decision path is in what to do after the inspection. If you need an inspection or a second opinion on a report, request a quote.
FAQQuestions people ask
What does RMJ mean on a sewer report?
In PACP-style coding, RMJ means medium roots at a joint: roots have entered through the joint and are partly narrowing the pipe. It is a maintenance defect that usually calls for cleaning and possibly sealing the joint.
What does JOM mean in a sewer inspection?
JOM is commonly used for a medium joint offset, where one pipe length has shifted relative to the next enough to form a noticeable step. JOL indicates a large offset.
Is a PACP grade 5 an emergency?
Grade 5 indicates the pipe has failed or is likely to fail soon, so it should be prioritized. Whether it is an emergency depends on symptoms: an active backup or collapse needs immediate attention.
What is the difference between PACP and LACP?
PACP is NASSCO's program for mainline pipes. LACP applies the same approach to laterals, the service lines connecting buildings to the main.
Why is my report not using codes?
Most residential reports use plain descriptions because they are written for homeowners and buyers. Clear distances and descriptions matter more than codes.
Can the decoder tell me if I need to replace my sewer?
No. It explains what defects mean and their typical severity. A replacement decision depends on the full video, the number and location of defects, pipe material and professional assessment.
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