CCTV Drain Inspection on the Central Coast

See What’s Really in Your Pipes

You cannot assess underground pipe condition from above ground. Slow drains, recurring blockages, and sewage smells are symptoms, but they don’t tell you whether the cause is a fixable grease buildup, an active root intrusion requiring relining, or a structural collapse requiring excavation.

CCTV drain inspection puts a high-resolution camera inside your pipes and shows you exactly what’s there. It is the essential first step before any drain relining recommendation, and a standalone service for pre-purchase due diligence, recurring blockage investigation, or insurance documentation.

This site covers CCTV drain inspection across the Central Coast, Gosford, Terrigal, Avoca Beach, Erina, Kincumber, North Gosford, Wamberal, Point Frederick, and surrounding suburbs.

What CCTV Drain Inspection Involves

The Equipment

A self-levelling CCTV drain camera, typically 63mm to 110mm head size, is fed through the pipe system via an existing access point (floor waste, cleanout, inspection opening). The camera records high-resolution footage with:

• Distance measurement (so every defect can be located to the exact metre)
• Clock-face position (12 o’clock, 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock) for orientation
• Real-time display on a monitor for the operator and, on request, the homeowner
• Full footage recording for the inspection report

What the Camera Accesses

Any pipe reachable from an existing opening of appropriate size can be inspected:

• Main sewer lateral, from boundary cleanout to house stack (the most common inspection)
• Sewer branch lines, kitchen, laundry, bathroom laterals (smaller camera required for 50-75mm lines)
• Stormwater downpipes and sub-drains, from roofline downpipe to stormwater connection
• Stormwater pit connections, from yard inlet pits to the street connection

For 100mm sewer pipe (standard residential), the contractor’s camera fits through a standard 100mm cleanout cap or floor waste.

What the Inspection Finds

The camera identifies and records:

• Root intrusion, visual confirmation of root mass, entry point location, severity (% bore blockage)
• Cracked pipe, longitudinal or circumferential cracks in pipe wall
• Open joints, mortar joint failure in terracotta, rubber seal failure in PVC
• Joint displacement, sections that have shifted out of alignment (reported in mm of offset)
• Pipe condition rating, defects rated by severity from minor to structural failure
• Pipe material identification, terracotta, early PVC, cast iron, concrete
• Flow direction and gradient confirmation
• Foreign objects, items lodged in the pipe that are contributing to blockage

The Written Report

After the inspection, you receive:

• Written defect schedule, each defect listed with location (metres from access point), defect type, severity rating, and description
• CCTV footage, full recording of the inspection, provided as a digital file or DVD
• Summary and recommendation, the inspecting technician’s professional assessment of what the findings mean for your property, with recommended repair options and urgency indication

This report is formatted for:

• Homeowner decision-making
• Pre-purchase solicitor review
• Insurance claim documentation
• Building inspector reference

Pre-Purchase CCTV Drain Inspection

The pre-purchase drain inspection market on the Central Coast is growing, particularly in Terrigal and Avoca Beach where properties transact at $1.6M, $2M+ and the homes are predominantly 1960s-80s with ageing pipe infrastructure.

Why building and pest inspection doesn’t cover this: A standard building inspection checks that drains flow when tested at the fixture. It does not involve any underground CCTV inspection. A building inspector can confirm that your shower drains, they cannot tell you that the pipe under your driveway has 40% root intrusion and two cracked joints that will become an emergency within 2-3 years.

Cost vs benefit: CCTV pre-purchase inspection: $300 to $450. If defects are found, you have written evidence to negotiate on purchase price, require the vendor to rectify before settlement, or make an informed decision to proceed knowing the repair budget. If no significant defects are found, you have documented pipe condition at purchase date.

Timing: Schedule within the cooling-off period or, ideally, as a condition of exchange. We can usually get someone out within 48 hours of booking.

Full pre-purchase guide →

When CCTV Inspection Is Free (or Credited)

Where a CCTV inspection leads directly to drain relining on the same visit, the inspection fee is credited against the relining cost. You pay for the relining; the inspection is included.

For standalone inspections where relining is not required or is deferred, the inspection fee applies: $250 to $500 depending on property size and access complexity.

CCTV Drain Inspection Costs

CCTV Drain Inspection FAQs

Q: Do I need to be home for the CCTV inspection? We recommend it. Watching the inspection in real-time gives you a direct understanding of what’s in your pipes. If you can’t be present, you still get full footage and a written report. For pre-purchase inspections on vacant properties, we can usually organise access through the real estate agent.

Q: How long does the inspection take? A standard residential sewer inspection (one line, 10-15 metres) takes 45-75 minutes. Combined sewer and stormwater inspections take 1.5-2.5 hours depending on the property size and pipe system complexity.

Q: Can pipes that have already been blocked and jetted be inspected? Yes, in fact, inspecting after jetting is often more informative than before, because the pipe walls are clear of debris and the camera can see the structural condition directly.

Q: What if the camera can’t get through the pipe? If the pipe is too blocked or collapsed for the camera to pass, the obstruction point is noted along with everything visible up to it. Sometimes jetting is required first to clear a path for the camera.

Q: Will the CCTV footage help if I want to claim on insurance? CCTV footage provides documented evidence of pipe condition and the cause of any damage. Insurance coverage for drain relining on the Central Coast is generally limited (most policies exclude gradual deterioration), but for sudden events, having CCTV documentation of the cause and extent of damage strengthens any claim. Insurance guide →

Book a CCTV drain inspection on the Central Coast →