How it is done
A waterproof camera on a flexible cable is pushed through the line from a cleanout or fixture. The video is watched live and usually recorded. A locator above ground can pinpoint the camera head, so a problem on screen can be marked on the surface.
What it can reveal
- Roots entering through joints or cracks
- Cracked, broken or collapsed pipe
- Bellies, where a sagging section holds water
- Offset or separated joints
- Grease, scale or debris buildup
- The pipe material and where it changes
When it is worth doing
- After a main-line backup, to find out why
- When drains keep clogging
- Before buying an older home
- Before choosing between a repair and a replacement