HD Drain & Sewer Camera Inspection Services in the Lower Mainland

Stop guessing what’s happening inside your pipes and start seeing for yourself. We use state-of-the-art, waterproof HD cameras and digital locators to pinpoint clogs, tree roots, and broken pipes without tearing up your lawn or floors. Our licensed plumbers provide professional drain and plumbing camera inspection services throughout the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley – including Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, Coquitlam, Langley, Abbotsford, Mission, and Chilliwack. Locate clogs, cracks, tree roots, and pipe damage quickly, accurately, and affordably.
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When Do You Need a Drain & Plumbing Camera Inspection?

Knowing when to look inside your pipes can save you thousands of dollars in ‘trial and error’ repairs. At Gator Plumbing & Drainage, we use camera technology to turn guesswork into certainty. Here are the most common situations where a camera inspection is the smartest move for your home or business across the Lower Mainland:

Camera inspection vancouver
Camera inspection vancouver
Camera inspection vancouver

Buying an Older Home in BC? Don't Skip the Sewer Scope!

Standard home inspectors do not look inside your underground pipes. Collapsed clay pipes or severe tree root intrusions can cost upward of $10,000+ to fix after possession. A quick camera inspection gives you the video proof you need to negotiate repairs before you sign the closing papers.

Book a Pre-Purchase Inspection

Recurring Drain Clogs

If you find yourself snaking the same drain every few months in your Vancouver, Burnaby, or Surrey home, you are not fixing the problem — you are just poking a hole in it. Gator Plumbing uses cameras to determine whether the real issue is a cracked pipe, a sagging line (belly), a partial root intrusion, or a foreign object that a snake cannot remove.

Buying a New Home
(The Pre-Purchase Inspection)

Standard home inspections stop at the drain cover. Before you sign the closing papers on any property in the Lower Mainland or Fraser Valley, let Gator Plumbing inspect the main sewer line with a camera. We regularly find hidden root damage and collapsed clay pipes in older homes in East Vancouver, New Westminster, and Langley that would have cost the new owner tens of thousands of dollars to fix after possession

Multiple Fixtures Backing Up

If your toilet bubbles when you run the sink, or sewage backs up into the tub when you flush, the problem is in your main sewer line — not an individual drain. A camera inspection allows Gator Plumbing to see exactly whether the main exit is blocked by tree roots, grease buildup, or structural failure before we start any digging or repair work.

Mysterious "Soggy" Spots in the Yard

If a patch of your lawn is always wet or unusually green — even during a dry Fraser Valley summer — you likely have an underground sewer leak. We insert the camera to find the exact fracture point, allowing us to perform a targeted, surgical repair rather than excavating your entire landscape.

Persistent Sewer Gas Odors

The smell of 'rotten eggs' inside your home is often caused by a cracked vent stack or a dried-out p-trap — but it can also indicate a fractured sewer line. Gator Plumbing uses video technology to find cracks in your drainage vents that are allowing dangerous sewer gases to enter your living space, protecting your family's health.

Before Beginning a Renovation

Thinking of adding a basement suite, a new bathroom, or a wet bar to your Lower Mainland home? Gator Plumbing can use a camera to verify that your existing main line is in good enough condition to handle the extra load — and map out the exact path of the pipes under your concrete slab before any demolition begins.

What Is Drain & Plumbing Camera Inspection?

Also called CCTV drain inspection, sewer camera inspection, video pipe inspection, or sewer scope inspection this advanced diagnostic method uses waterproof HD cameras to visually inspect your drain, sewer, and plumbing lines without excavation or digging.

The Process

  • Locate Access Point: We find your cleanout or use existing drain opening in your plumbing system
  • Insert Camera: Waterproof HD camera on flexible cable feeds into drainage pipes
  • Live Video Feed: Real-time footage shows interior condition, blockages, structural damage
  • Precise Diagnosis: Identify exact problem location with depth markers for pinpoint accuracy
  • Recommendations: Discuss targeted drainage solutions and fair repair cost estimates
  • Video Report: Receive recorded footage + written analysis for records

What We Detect

  • Blockages & Clogs: Grease, hair, debris accumulation in sewer lines
  • Tree Root Intrusion: Roots penetrating joints and cracks in plumbing
  • Pipe Cracks & Breaks: Fractures, collapsed sections, separated joints
  • Corrosion & Deterioration: Rust, scale buildup in cast iron and metal pipes
  • Bellied/Sagging Pipes: Low spots that trap water and debris in drainage
  • Offset Joints: Misaligned connections creating snag points in sewer
  • Scale & Mineral Deposits: Buildup reducing pipe diameter and flow
  • Foreign Objects: Toys, debris, items improperly flushed in plumbing
  • Pipe Material & Age: PVC, cast iron, clay, Orangeburg assessment

Why Choose Camera Inspection Over Traditional Plumbing Methods?

Eliminate guesswork, prevent unnecessary digging, and save thousands with accurate visual diagnosis of your drain and plumbing system.

Pinpoint Accuracy

Locate exact problem location with depth markers no exploratory digging or guesswork in your drainage system

Cost Savings

Avoid unnecessary excavation, repeated service calls, and misdiagnosed plumbing problems costing thousands

Non-Invasive

No digging up your yard, driveway, or landscaping camera goes through existing plumbing access points

Fast Results

Drain inspection typically takes 30-60 minutes with immediate diagnosis and recommendations

Video Proof

Visual evidence for insurance claims, real estate negotiations, and peace of mind about your plumbing

Credit Toward Repairs

Inspection fee credited if you choose us for recommended repairs risk-free diagnosis of drainage issues

Our 4-Step Drain & Plumbing Camera Inspection Process

When you have a recurring clog or a hidden leak anywhere in the Lower Mainland, Gator Plumbing doesn’t guess — we see. Our high-definition waterproof cameras inspect your lines from the inside, saving you time and money on unnecessary digging.

Who Needs Drain & Plumbing Camera Inspection?

1
Access & Entry
We locate an existing clean-out access point or, if necessary, temporarily remove a fixture to gain entry to your plumbing system. Our technicians use a flexible, fiber-optic cable tipped with a high-resolution waterproof camera head, allowing us to navigate deep into your sewer or drain lines without damaging the pipes. Most Lower Mainland homes have a clean-out accessible from the basement, crawl space, or exterior foundation wall.
2
Real-Time HD Mapping
As the camera travels through the line, we view the live footage on a high-contrast monitor in real time. We look for specific red flags including tree root intrusion, pipe offsets, bellies (sags), structural cracks, grease accumulation, collapsed sections, and foreign objects. The camera records timestamped footage throughout the inspection — every finding is documented as it is discovered.
3
Precision Location
When we find a problem, we use a built-in signal transmitter (sonde) inside the camera head to pinpoint the exact underground location of the issue. From above ground, our digital locator identifies the precise depth and surface location — so if a repair is needed, we dig in exactly the right spot and only the right spot. This saves significant excavation cost for homeowners across Vancouver, Surrey, Langley, and Abbotsford.
4
Expert Reporting & Solutions
Once the inspection is complete, we provide you with a clear, plain-language explanation of our findings. You receive a digital copy of the full camera footage for your records, insurance claims, strata documents, or property sale disclosure. We also provide an upfront, flat-rate quote for the most effective repair or cleaning strategy — with no obligation and no pressure.

From homeowners to businesses camera inspection serves diverse needs across BC

Homeowners

Experiencing drain problems? Camera inspection reveals hidden plumbing issues preventing costly emergencies.

  • Diagnose mysterious drain problems
  • Prevent basement flooding emergencies
  • Maintain older plumbing systems
  • Check impact of nearby trees
Book an appointment →

Home Buyers & Sellers

Pre-purchase sewer scope inspection is standard real estate due diligence—protects your investment.

  • Negotiate repairs before closing
  • Avoid $10K+ surprise repairs
  • Sellers prove system condition
  • Documented proof for transactions
Book an appointment →

Multi-Unit / Strata

Multi-unit buildings, strata councils—prevent building-wide plumbing emergencies with preventive maintenance.

  • Regular preventive drain maintenance
  • Identify shared line issues
  • Allocate repair costs fairly
  • Budget for capital improvements
Book an appointment →

Businesses & Restaurants

Heavy plumbing use requires proactive maintenance—prevent costly downtime and health violations.

  • Grease line condition assessment
  • Prevent emergency shutdowns
  • Comply with health regulations
  • After-hours service available
Book an appointment →

Contractors & Developers

Locate plumbing pipes before digging, verify repairs after construction, protect against liability claims.

  • Pre-dig pipe location mapping
  • Verify repair work completed
  • Document pre/post conditions
  • Volume discounts available
Book an appointment →

Insurance & Claims

Document sewer damage for insurance claims, coverage disputes, or coverage denial appeals.

  • Professional inspection reports
  • Video documentation for claims
  • Damage assessment expertise
  • Insurance-accepted documentation
Book an appointment →

Camera Plumbing Inspection: Frequently Asked Questions

A plumbing camera inspection can identify issues inside your sewer or drain line such as clogs, tree root intrusion, cracked pipes, corrosion, misaligned joints, and other hidden plumbing problems.

Most residential camera inspections take about 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the length of the sewer line and how easily it can be accessed.

Yes. The camera is inserted through an existing drain or cleanout, so there is no digging or damage to your property.

You should consider a camera inspection if you experience frequent drain clogs, sewage odors, slow drains, or if you are buying a home and want to check the condition of the sewer line.

Yes. Modern inspection cameras can pinpoint the exact location of blockages, cracks, or root intrusion, helping plumbers determine the best repair solution.

 

Yes. A sewer camera inspection can reveal hidden pipe damage, root intrusion, or collapsed lines that are not visible during a standard home inspection.

Trusted Service

What Our Customers Say

Read real reviews from satisfied customers who trusted us with their plumbing needs.

5.0
★★★★★
Consistently Highly Rated
"
★★★★★
"I contacted Gator Plumbing after 10:00 PM, and Deep scheduled me for 10:00 AM the following morning. Deep and his staff arrived ahead of schedule and resolved the clog promptly. They were professional, friendly, and communicated clearly and efficiently. Affordable pricing! Highly recommended."
D
Dee Guy
"
★★★★★
"When it comes to emergency services, Gator Plumbing is the only way! They handle each and every aspect of their job with thoughtfulness and professionalism. They communicated clearly and precisely... Deep and his crew are the ones to call. I will refer no one else but their team!"
B
Berrit C
"
★★★★★
"I hired Gator plumbing for a client. We were very happy with the service they provided. Dave and his team were professional, friendly and easy to communicate and coordinate with. Gator got the job done very quickly. Highly recommended!!!"
R
Robyn Switzer
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Area We Serve

We proudly offer sewer backup and flood pump-out services throughout the region:

Licensed & insured

5 Star
Rating

(Need service outside these areas? Contact us to discuss special arrangements.)