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Updated for 2026 using current plumbing standards, Australian water authority guidance, and real on-site experience from ongoing CCTV drain inspections carried out across Sydney properties.
Most drain issues don’t show themselves clearly.
A slow sink, a toilet that blocks every few weeks, a bad smell that comes and goes. On the surface, these problems look minor. Underneath, they often are not.
We see this every week across Sydney. Someone has tried plungers, drain chemicals, even had the drain “cleared” once or twice. The problem keeps coming back. At that point, frustration sets in, and costs start adding up.
The core issue is simple. Pipes are hidden. They run underground, under concrete, behind walls. Without seeing inside them, any fix is based on assumptions. Sometimes you get lucky. Often you don’t.
CCTV drain inspections exist to remove that guesswork.
A CCTV drain inspection uses a specialised waterproof camera attached to a flexible cable.
We feed the camera into the drain through an access point such as a toilet, inspection opening, or external drain. As it moves through the pipe, it sends live video back to a screen above ground.
That footage shows us what is happening inside the pipe, in real time.
There is no digging. No cutting concrete. No guessing.
Instead of saying “it might be roots” or “it could be a cracked pipe,” we can point to the screen and show the exact cause.
The camera does not interpret or assume. It records what is physically inside the pipe. These are the most common things we see.
For many homeowners, it is the first time they have ever seen their plumbing system. That visibility changes how decisions are made.
This part matters, and it often gets skipped.
A CCTV inspection is powerful, but it is not magic.
If a pipe is completely blocked, the camera may not be able to pass through until the obstruction is partially cleared. In those cases, clearing comes first, inspection comes second.
Footage also needs experience to interpret. A crack does not always mean immediate replacement. Minor root intrusion does not always require excavation. Understanding what can wait and what cannot comes from hands-on plumbing work, not just the video.
We explain this clearly on-site. The camera shows the condition. The next step depends on severity, location, and risk.
This is one of the most common questions we hear.
A drain gets cleared. Water flows again. Everyone assumes the problem is solved. Weeks later, the blockage returns.
Here is why that happens.
Most basic clearing methods create a path through the blockage, not a full removal. Roots get punched through, not removed. Grease gets shifted, not eliminated. Foreign objects move slightly, then settle again.
Without seeing inside the pipe, the root cause stays in place.
A CCTV inspection shows whether a blockage was a one-off issue or a symptom of something deeper. For homeowners dealing with ongoing issues, this is often the point where a blocked drains plumber can stop repeat call-outs and deal with the cause properly, not just restore short-term flow.
Not every drain issue needs a camera. Some clearly do.
We usually recommend an inspection when one or more of these are happening:
These situations point to problems beyond surface level. At that stage, seeing inside the pipe saves time and prevents repeat costs.
There are also times when a camera adds little value.
A first-time blockage caused by an obvious issue, such as excess paper or a known foreign object, often does not need inspection. Simple clearing can be enough.
We are upfront about that. If a camera does not add clarity, we say so. The goal is to fix the problem properly, not add steps that do not help.
The inspection itself is only the first step. The real value comes from what the footage allows us to do next.
Once we can see the condition of the pipe, we can make decisions based on facts, not assumptions. That usually leads to one of four outcomes.
The footage also allows us to mark the exact location of a problem from above ground. That means if excavation is required, it is limited and precise. No unnecessary digging. No guessing where the issue might be.
For shared lines, strata properties, or rental homes, the footage often becomes evidence. It helps clarify responsibility and avoids disputes based on opinion.
A homeowner in Sydney’s Inner West contacted us after dealing with a toilet that blocked almost every week.
They had already tried plungers and had the drain cleared once. Each time, the toilet worked again briefly, then failed.
When we ran the camera, the cause became obvious. A small plastic toy was lodged several metres down the line. It was far beyond the reach of standard tools. Paper and waste kept catching on it, slowly rebuilding the blockage.
Once the object was removed, the problem stopped completely.
The homeowner told us the biggest relief was not just the fix, but the certainty. Seeing the footage removed all doubt about what was causing the issue and why it kept returning.
This is a common pattern. The symptoms look minor. The cause is not.
In other cases, we inspect, the footage shows ageing or damaged pipework close to the pan itself. When repeated blockages are linked to worn connections or outdated fixtures, a toilet replacement service becomes the more practical long-term fix instead of ongoing repairs.
CCTV drain inspections are usually priced as part of professional plumbing work.
In Sydney, many inspections fall within the low hundreds of dollars. The final cost depends on a few practical factors.
For most people, the inspection costs far less than repeated call-outs for temporary fixes. It can also prevent larger repair bills by identifying damage early, before a pipe collapses or causes flooding.
We hear the same worries again and again. It is fair to address them directly.
“Is this just a way to upsell repairs?”
A camera shows what exists. Nothing more. Many inspections end with no major work required. When repairs are needed, the footage explains why.
“Can the camera get stuck?”
In heavily damaged or collapsed pipes, there is a small risk. We explain this beforehand and assess access carefully.
“Do I get to see the footage?”
Yes. We show the video during the inspection and explain what it means in plain language.
“Will I still need repairs after the inspection?”
Sometimes. The inspection does not create problems. It reveals them. What happens next depends on what the pipe condition actually is.
Not all inspections are equal.
A proper inspection should include:
It is reasonable to ask your plumber what the inspection will show, how the footage will be used, and what decisions it will help you make. Transparency matters.
The goal is not just to identify a problem, but to understand it well enough to fix it properly.
Drain problems are frustrating because they hide the truth.
CCTV drain inspections remove that uncertainty. They show why blockages keep coming back, where damage exists, and what can realistically be done about it.
For Sydney property owners dealing with repeated issues, strange noises, unexplained smells, or ongoing backups, a camera inspection often marks the point where guessing stops and solutions begin.
At Graham & Sons Plumbing, we use CCTV inspections to give people clarity, not confusion. When you can see the problem clearly, the right fix becomes obvious.
If drain issues keep returning, it may be time to look inside the pipe and deal with the cause, not just the symptoms.
* Between 8.30am - 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.
