The truth? Your drains are basically a mystery. You can’t see what’s happening down there, which means problems fester and multiply in the dark until they explode into your life at the worst possible moment. But there’s a solution that’s revolutionised plumbing diagnostics over the past decade, and it’s one that every homeowner in Bayside should know about.
What Is a CCTV Drain Camera Inspection?
A CCTV drain inspection involves feeding a high-definition waterproof camera attached to a flexible cable through your drainage system. The camera transmits real-time footage to a monitor above ground, allowing plumbers to see exactly what’s happening inside your pipes without digging up your property or guessing at the problem.
Modern drain cameras come equipped with LED lights, recording capabilities, and location tracking technology. Some even measure pipe diameter and map the entire drainage network. The whole process typically takes between 30 minutes to two hours, depending on the complexity of your system and what the plumber discovers.
The Hidden Problems Lurking in Bayside Drains
Bayside’s beautiful location comes with specific plumbing challenges. The area’s older housing stock, combined with coastal conditions and mature tree growth, creates a perfect environment for drainage issues.
Tree root intrusion is particularly common in suburbs like Brighton, Sandringham, and Beaumaris. According to Melbourne Water, tree roots account for a significant portion of private drain blockages across Melbourne’s bayside suburbs. Those massive gum trees that give our streets character? Their roots are aggressively seeking water sources.
A CCTV inspection reveals roots before they completely strangle your pipes. You might see hair-like tendrils starting to penetrate joints or discover your pipe has become a botanical garden. Either way, catching it early means targeted treatment rather than complete pipe replacement.
Pipe deterioration is another major concern in Bayside. Many homes were built between the 1920s and 1960s using earthenware or terracotta pipes. These materials have a lifespan of 50-100 years, which means we’re hitting the use-by date. The pipes crack or develop holes that leak sewage into the surrounding soil. A camera inspection shows the exact condition of your pipes, including hairline cracks you’d never detect otherwise.
Bellied or sagging pipes create persistent blockages that no amount of drain cleaning will fix. When ground shifts, sections of pipe can dip downward, creating low points where water and waste collect. The camera shows these problem areas clearly, including the severity of the sag and whether it’s causing backup issues.
Read more about why tree roots and clay pipes are considered hidden plumbing killers.
Why Waiting Could Cost You Thousands
A CCTV drain inspection does come with a cost, but it’s minor compared to what you might face if a hidden issue turns into something serious. Think of it as a preventative measure for your drainage system.
A burst sewer pipe that needs digging up and replacing can set you back far more. If the pipe runs under a driveway, expect extra costs for concrete work. If it’s beneath the house, the job becomes even more complex. And if the problem sits under a protected or mature tree that can’t be removed, the price and difficulty climb quickly.
Insurance is another consideration. Many insurance policies won’t cover gradual deterioration or maintenance issues. If roots have been slowly destroying your pipe over years, that’s often deemed preventable maintenance rather than a sudden insured event. A camera inspection provides documentation of your pipe’s condition, which can be valuable if disputes arise.
According to QBE Insurance research, water damage incidents account for almost a quarter (24%) of all home insurance claims, making it one of the most common claims. The average claim comes in at $5,000, with more severe claims reaching over half a million dollars. Old or worn-out plumbing accounts for 27.2% of water damage instances.
When You Absolutely Need a Camera Inspection
Certain situations scream for a camera inspection. If you’re buying a property in Bayside, especially an older one, get the drains inspected before settlement. Building inspections don’t typically include drain assessments, yet drain repairs can dwarf any other maintenance cost.
Recurring blockages mean something’s wrong structurally. If you’re calling a plumber every few months to clear the same drain, you’re probably addressing symptoms and not the actual causes. The camera will show you what’s actually creating the problem.
Slow drains throughout the house suggest a main line issue rather than isolated fixture problems. When multiple drains gurgle or drain slowly, there’s likely a significant blockage in your main sewer line.
Additionally, foul odours around your property can indicate cracked pipes leaking sewage into surrounding soil. You might not see visible damage, but that smell is telling you something’s very wrong.
If you’re extending or landscaping, know where your drainage pipes run and what condition they’re in. The last thing you want is to build over pipes that need replacing.
Ready to see what’s really happening in your drains? Contact EzyPlumb today for a comprehensive CCTV drain inspection.
What Happens During the Inspection
A proper CCTV drain inspection follows a systematic process. The plumber first locates all access points to your drainage system, typically through inspection openings (IOs) or by removing fixtures. They’ll ask about any known issues and might run water through the system to observe flow patterns.
The camera goes in through the cleanest access point and works its way through the system. As footage streams to the monitor, the plumber narrates what they’re seeing. Experienced plumbers can identify issues instantly, from the characteristic white tendrils of root intrusion to the telltale cracks of pipe deterioration.
The plumber should provide a detailed explanation with findings and recommending solutions. Good plumbers explain options at different price points, from patch repairs to full replacements.
The Real Reason Regular Maintenance Can’t Be Ignored
Melbourne Water recommends regular maintenance of private drains to prevent problems before they occur. For Bayside properties, particularly older homes with mature trees, a camera inspection every three to five years makes sense.
If your property has known risk factors, such as old pipes, large trees, previous repairs, or you’re in a low-lying area, more frequent inspections are important.
Some homeowners schedule inspections seasonally, particularly before winter when heavy rains can overwhelm compromised drainage systems. Others time inspections with other major home maintenance tasks, making it part of an annual home health check.
What Happens After Problems Are Found
Finding problems is only useful if you do something about them. Luckily, modern plumbing offers solutions for almost every issue, and knowing exactly what’s wrong allows for targeted, cost-effective repairs.
Minor root intrusion can be treated with high-pressure water jetting or mechanical cutting, followed by root barriers and regular maintenance. Isolated cracks might be repaired using patch liners that cure inside the existing pipe, creating a new pipe within the old one without excavation.
Severe damage might require pipe relining, where a resin-impregnated liner is inserted into the damaged pipe and inflated. Once cured, this creates a seamless new pipe inside the old one, typically with a 50-year warranty. It’s more expensive than patching but definitely cheaper than excavation.
Complete replacement is the last resort, reserved for pipes beyond saving. Even then, the camera inspection has provided a roadmap, so excavation targets only the damaged sections rather than replacing the entire system speculatively.
Your Drains Deserve Attention
Your home’s drainage system is one of those things you never think about until something goes horribly wrong. By then, you’re not thinking clearly because you’re stressed and faced with limited options.
A CCTV drain inspection flips this script. Instead of reacting to emergencies, you’re making informed decisions on your timeline. You can budget for repairs and schedule work when it suits you rather than when sewage is bubbling up through your shower drain on Christmas morning.
For Bayside homeowners, with older houses and plenty of large trees, drain inspections aren’t overkill. The technology is readily available, cost-effective, and can spare you from major headaches later.
Your drains are probably fine. But are you willing to bet your savings on ‘probably’? Get them checked. You’ll sleep better knowing what’s actually down there.
Don’t ignore the signs. Book a CCTV Drain Inspection with Ezy-Plumb Today
