Good reasons to send in a camera
- The same drain has backed up more than once in a year
- A cable brought back roots, clay chips or rust flakes
- You are buying an older Scarborough home and want to know the lateral's condition
- The basement flooded and nobody is sure why
- A renovation will put new flooring over old drain lines
What the camera usually finds here
Houses from the 1950s and 1960s in neighbourhoods like Wexford, Clairlea and Bendale often show root intrusion at clay joints and offset sections where the ground has shifted. Cast iron under basement slabs can show heavy scale or a split bottom. In newer areas the footage more often shows a belly, a low spot where water sits and solids settle, or a joint pulled apart during later landscaping.
How an inspection is done
- The line is cleared first if needed, since a camera cannot see through standing waste.
- The camera head goes in at the cleanout and is pushed toward the street.
- Distance is read from the cable counter, so problems can be located from above.
- A locator can trace the head's position on the lawn when a dig is being considered.
- We talk through the findings and the sensible options, from monitoring to repair.
What changes the cost
Access is the main variable. A clean cleanout near the front wall is easy. A line reached only through a roof vent or a pulled toilet takes more setup. Inspections paired with a cleaning visit save a second trip.
When to book one
Book before you dig, before you buy, and after any backup that a cable did not fully explain. It is the cheapest way to avoid paying for the wrong repair.