The same drain keeps clogging
After flow has been restored, the camera can be used to look for a persistent cause: roots, a displaced joint, recurring buildup, deformation or another visible problem.
VIDEO DRAIN INSPECTION • GREATER MONTREAL
A useful inspection involves more than simply pushing a camera through a pipe
It must answer a specific question: why does the drain keep clogging, where is the problem located and what work is actually justified? The choice of access point, preliminary cleaning, distance readings and deliverables determines the value of the result.
SOS Plombiers accepts drain camera inspection requests 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, gathers the relevant information and attempts to direct them to a partner company based on the address, type of pipe, requested scope and availability.
Specify from the outset whether you simply want to understand a recurring problem or whether you need a recording, surface location, written report, sketch or documentation for a municipality, insurer or real estate transaction.
- Requests accepted 24/7
- Diagnosis, video and report must be distinguished
- Price and deliverables confirmed by the partner
WHEN THE IMAGES CAN CHANGE THE DECISION
Four situations that do not require the same inspection
Defining the objective before the appointment helps avoid paying for a video that does not answer the right question.
Damage must be located
The images help characterize the affected section. A compatible transmitter and locator can then be used to mark an approximate position and depth from the surface.
The sewer lateral raises concerns
A targeted inspection can document the section of pipe travelled before a transaction, without replacing the general building inspection or covering branches that were not viewed.
A municipality or insurer requires evidence
A report, distance readings, the address displayed on screen, a sketch and a specific video format may be required. These requirements must be confirmed before the inspection.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT FIRST STEP
Camera inspection, drain clearing or repair: the symptoms determine the scope
The camera provides visual information; it does not clear or repair the drain. When a pipe is filled with water, grease, roots or other debris, visual access may need to be restored before useful images can be obtained.
| Observed situation | First service that is often relevant | What it should clarify |
|---|---|---|
| A single kitchen sink, bathroom sink or bathtub is draining slowly for the first time | Drain clearing | Address a likely localized blockage first; a camera inspection is not automatically required. |
| The main drain keeps clogging or several fixtures react at the same time | Drain clearing followed by an inspection, depending on access | Restore flow, then document the cause if the problem is recurring or remains unexplained. |
| Sewage backs up through a floor drain, toilet or another low point | Sewer backup service | Make the area safe and restore drainage before deciding when the inspection should be performed. |
| A crack, sag or deteriorated section has already been documented | Main drain repair assessment | Confirm the affected section, method, access requirements and actual scope of the work. |
After a recurring problem: the guide to the causes of a repeatedly clogged main drain can help you prepare the history to provide to the technician.
WHAT THE CAMERA CAN DOCUMENT
Visual observations within the inspected section
- roots, grease, buildup, an object or a remaining blockage;
- an open or misaligned joint, a change in material or a visible connection;
- a crack, crushing, corrosion, deformation or apparent collapse;
- standing water or an apparent low point under certain conditions;
- distance travelled when the equipment displays a counter or distance reading;
- a point to be located when the camera head has a compatible transmitter.
WHAT A VIDEO CANNOT PROVE ON ITS OWN
A useful image is not a universal verdict
- It does not confirm that every pipe in the building is watertight.
- It does not automatically measure the pipe’s design slope.
- It does not show inaccessible or submerged sections or areas located beyond an impassable blockage.
- It does not locate a defect from the surface without an appropriate transmitter and locator.
- It does not determine private or municipal responsibility on its own.
- It does not guarantee that a blockage will never return.
CERIU notes that a televised inspection records observations about the internal condition of a pipe at a specific point in time and that the objective of the inspection must be defined beforehand. This distinction is essential when differentiating a routine residential diagnosis from a formal inspection conducted according to a municipal or technical protocol.
COST OF A CAMERA INSPECTION
A realistic budget depends on access and what you want to receive
For a residential inspection in the Montreal area, publicly available price ranges may run from approximately $300 to $1,000 before tax. A simple inspection through an accessible cleanout is not comparable to clearing a pipe, inspecting several branches or preparing municipal documentation with a video, report and sketch.
MARKET RANGEApproximately $300 to $1,000
Inspection, travel and deliverables vary depending on the company and scope.
This amount is a general price range, not a quote from SOS Plombiers. The partner company must confirm its fees, inclusions, minimum billable charge and any possible additional charges before the service call.
Factors that affect the cost
- an existing cleanout, a toilet that must be removed or another access point that must be prepared;
- drain clearing, root cutting or cleaning required before the inspection;
- the length, diameter, bends, branches and number of pipes to be inspected;
- the appointment time, travel and whether a second technician is required;
- video recording, digital delivery and an on-site explanation;
- the transmitter, surface location and depth estimate;
- a report, sketch, photos or form intended for a third party.
See the detailed guide to the cost of a camera inspection, then ask the partner to clearly distinguish between the inspection, cleaning and deliverables.
VIDEO, LOCATION, REPORT AND SKETCH
The word “inspection” does not guarantee that every deliverable is included
Ask for a written list of what will be provided. Viewing the images on the technician’s screen is not the same as receiving a video file, and a video is not the same as a signed report.
On-site explanation
Observations shown on screen, limitations encountered and options discussed before any additional work is performed.
Video recording
The format, delivery method, date, address and distance readings should be confirmed based on the intended use of the file.
Surface location
A separate service using a compatible transmitter and locator to mark an approximate position and depth.
Report or sketch
The recipient, form, measurements, signature and required information should be specified before the appointment.
Real estate transaction: also ask whether the file can be identified and reviewed after the visit. A video without an address, date or distance reference may be less useful for comparing observations or supporting a decision.
FROM THE SYMPTOM TO A DOCUMENTED DECISION
How does a drain camera inspection work?
The order may vary depending on access and the condition of the pipe. The objective remains the same: to produce images clear enough to guide the next decision, without turning a limited observation into excessive certainty.
For more details about each step, also see the guide on how a drain camera inspection is performed.
Define the question
The history, affected fixtures, recurrence, building type and required document are clarified.
Choose the access point
The cleanout or appropriate opening is checked based on the targeted pipe and equipment.
Make a clear view possible
Drain clearing or cleaning may be recommended if water, roots or buildup prevent usable images.
Inspect and locate
The camera travels through the accessible section; available observations and distance readings are recorded.
Interpret and deliver
The partner explains the limitations, provides the agreed-upon deliverables and prices any proposed follow-up work separately.
MUNICIPAL DOCUMENTATION IN GREATER MONTREAL
A routine residential inspection is not automatically accepted by a municipality
Requirements vary depending on the municipality, borough and procedure. Before the appointment, provide the applicable form to the partner and have them confirm that they can produce every required document.
Montreal
For a sewer service connection repair request, the City may require a report and video showing the entire sewer lateral up to the public portion, with the distance readings clearly visible. It may also require roots or obstructions to be removed when necessary.
Longueuil
When the condition of the public sewer connection is called into question, the regulations require the property owner to provide a camera inspection before corrective work. The City also states that the sewer connection must be cleared before the camera inspection.
Laval
If a company attributes an issue to the public portion of the sewer connection, the City asks residents to contact 311 and retain a detailed invoice. Its claims page states that camera inspection costs are not among the listed reimbursable expenses.
These summaries do not replace current municipal forms. SOS Plombiers forwards the request; the partner company must confirm that it meets the requirements applicable to your address.
PRE-PURCHASE OR PRE-RENOVATION INSPECTION
Inspect a defined pipe, not “all the plumbing” under a single promise
During a real estate transaction, a camera inspection can provide information that may otherwise be difficult to obtain about an accessible sewer connection. It is particularly relevant when there is a history of sewer backups, repeated drain clearing, roots, sewer repairs or recent basement finishing.
However, it does not replace a general pre-purchase inspection or checks specific to water supply lines, the French drain, plumbing fixtures or inaccessible sections.
- identify the pipe to be inspected and its access point;
- obtain the necessary authorization from the owner or condo corporation;
- ask whether the complete video will be provided in a format that can be retained;
- have any limits on travel distance or visibility documented;
- separate the observations, interpretation and repair estimate.
QUESTION TO ASK BEFORE BOOKING
“Which pipe will actually be inspected, and how far do you expect to be able to go?”
This question requires clarification of the available cleanout, diameter, bends, length, private portion and intended endpoint. It is more useful than a vague promise of a complete inspection.
A French drain located around the foundation requires a different access strategy and interpretation than a sanitary sewer connection. Clearly specify which one you want inspected.
HOUSE, CONDO AND COMMERCIAL BUILDING
The pipe is underground; the inspection constraints are very concrete
House
Locate the cleanout, gather previous reports and indicate whether the basement is finished. Describe previous drain clearing, backups, exterior work or tree planting near the presumed pipe route.
Condo or plex
Specify whether the pipe is private or shared, who authorizes access, which units are affected and whether a shutdown or usage restriction must be coordinated.
Commercial or multi-unit building
Provide the access hours, operations that must be maintained, branches to be identified and the person authorized to approve the work. For a broader scope, see the commercial plumbing services.
VIDEO INSPECTION IN GREATER MONTREAL
The address determines availability and the local procedure
Coverage depends on the type of pipe, required equipment, deliverables and the availability of a partner company. Provide the complete address with the initial request.
Montreal
Specify the borough if a report must support a municipal procedure.
Laval and the North Shore
Indicate whether the suspected issue is located in the private or public portion.
Longueuil and the South Shore
Provide any municipal form and the history of drain clearing before the visit.
West Island
Pointe-Claire, Kirkland, Dorval, Beaconsfield and neighbouring areas depending on the scope.
SOS Plombiers receives and assesses the request. The partner company remains responsible for its access, interpretation, price, deliverables, work and warranties.
TECHNICAL REFERENCES USED
Sources that distinguish a visual observation from a complete diagnosis
CERIU guides primarily address structured sewer-system inspections, but their principles remain useful: define the objective, document the limitations and clean the pipe when buildup prevents a conclusive inspection.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Drain camera inspection: answers before booking
The answers below apply to the inspection of an accessible pipe. The partner must confirm what applies to the building and the scope.
Is a camera necessary every time a drain is clogged?
No. A recent localized blockage can often be addressed without a camera. An inspection becomes particularly useful when the problem returns, affects a shared pipe, remains difficult to locate or suggests a pipe defect.
Does the drain need to be cleared or cleaned before the inspection?
Sometimes. A camera cannot pass through every obstruction or produce a clear image in a pipe filled with water or debris. The partner must specify whether drain clearing or cleaning is necessary and whether it is billed separately.
How much does a drain camera inspection cost in Montreal?
Publicly available price ranges may be approximately $300 to $1,000 before tax. The cost depends on access, preliminary cleaning, length, the number of branches and the deliverables. Only the partner company’s estimate confirms the applicable price.
Are the video and written report always included?
No. On-site viewing, the recording, download link, surface location, report and sketch may be separate deliverables. Ask for written confirmation of what will be provided.
Can damage be located exactly from the surface?
A compatible camera head or transmitter can be detected using a surface locator. The position and depth remain approximate and depend on the equipment, depth, pipe route and interference. The video alone does not perform this location work.
Can the camera measure the drain slope?
Standing water may reveal an apparent low point, but an ordinary video does not automatically measure the design slope of the entire pipe. The interpretation must account for the equipment and conditions during the inspection.
Is a camera inspection suitable for a real estate purchase?
It can supplement a pre-purchase inspection when a specific sewer connection raises concerns. It does not replace the general building inspection and cannot support conclusions about pipes or branches that were not inspected.
Is a French drain inspection the same thing?
No. A sewer connection carries wastewater away from the building, while a French drain is generally located around the foundation. The access points, symptoms being investigated and assessment methods differ. Specify the type of drain when making the request.
Can the drain be inspected through a toilet?
This may be possible in some configurations, but it is not always the preferred or included access point. The cleanout, diameter, bends and type of camera determine the access. Any removal and reinstallation of a fixture must be specified in the price.
Who confirms the diagnosis, price and deliverables?
SOS Plombiers receives and assesses the request, then attempts to direct it to an available partner company. The partner checks the access, interprets the images, confirms its fees and provides the agreed-upon deliverables.
A PRECISE QUESTION PRODUCES A MORE USEFUL INSPECTION
Describe the drain, its history and the document you require
Provide the address, building type, affected fixtures, frequency of the problem, available cleanout and reason for the inspection. SOS Plombiers will attempt to direct the request to a partner that can confirm the access, timing, price and deliverables.
The assigned partner remains responsible for its interpretation, estimate, work, invoice and warranties.
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