There is no fixed length, because the visit covers more than the camera run. NASSCO’s CCTV guideline recommends no faster than 30 feet per minute, so the run is often the quick part. Line length, buildup, access and any locating add time, and a packed line needs cleaning first. Clear the cleanout and tell the crew your symptoms.
Why is the camera run itself so short?
Camera speed depends on visibility and the observations being recorded. NASSCO's guideline for CCTV work says the camera should travel slowly enough to inspect every joint, connection and defect, and "should not, at any time, be faster than 30 feet per minute." At that top speed, a 100-foot lateral is at least about three and a half minutes of camera travel. Real inspections go slower, because the operator stops to pan, tilt and look at anything unusual.
The rest of the visit is the work around the run: finding the access point, opening it, setting up, and afterward packing up and going over what the footage showed.
What makes an inspection take longer?
- The length of the line. A house set far back from the street means more pipe to cover, and every foot of it is travel time at a controlled speed.
- Debris. NASSCO's guideline says the speed must be slow enough to inspect "deposits" along with each joint and connection, so a pipe with buildup is scanned more slowly.
- Access. InterNACHI's sewer scope standard has the inspector scope the line "from a proper cleanout or roof vent stack," and its article on the practice describes a pre-scope notice that says whether the inspector will pull toilets. A missing cleanout can mean a different entry point and more setup. Our page on scoping without a cleanout explains that route.
- Cleaning first. The camera has to see the pipe wall. NASSCO's guideline says the pipe should be "clean enough to ensure all defects, features and observations are seen and logged," and the City of Mesa's specification requires new public sewer pipes to be cleaned before they are inspected. A line packed with grease or roots may need a cleaning pass before the camera can do its job. See what hydro jetting is.
- An obstruction. InterNACHI's article on the practice cautions "Do not force the camera through any obstruction," and its standard requires the report to say which areas were not inspected and why. The crew may try from another access point, which adds time.
- Locating. Marking the exact position and depth of a defect above ground is a separate step, and InterNACHI's standard lists it as something a scope inspector is not required to do. It adds time when you want it. See how sewer locating works.
- Size and layout. A restaurant, an apartment building or a retail center has more lines, more cleanouts and more branches than a house. Ask for an estimate of the time and what it covers before you schedule.
How do you prepare?
A little preparation saves the crew time, and that saves you time.
- 1Be there, or have someone there. The crew needs access to the building and the cleanout. InterNACHI's article says the inspector should advise the owners and occupants "not to run the water" during the inspection, so someone should be on hand to pass that along.
- 2Find and clear the cleanout. Model plumbing codes call for at least 18 inches of clear space in front of cleanouts on pipe 6 inches and smaller, so if plants, gravel, a planter or a stored item is in the way, move it. Our page on what a sewer cleanout is helps you find it.
- 3Unlock gates and secure pets, and tell the crew where the roof access is if the cleanout is missing.
- 4Write down your symptoms. Which drains are slow, where the smell is, when the last backup happened and what past repairs were done help the crew know what to look for. InterNACHI's article lists a damp depression in the lawn above the line and backflow into the home as signs a scope can help confirm.
- 5In a commercial building, plan around the business. Ask for a time when the kitchen is not producing grease and the restrooms are not in heavy use, and give the crew the building plans, past inspection reports and a list of cleanouts if you have them.
What happens after the camera comes out?
You should come away with the footage explained, a written report and the video. Our page on getting your inspection video tells you what to ask for. Our page on PACP coding helps you read the codes, and the belly and offset joint pages cover two of the most common findings.
HQ is licensed and insured, runs 24/7 emergency service, and gives free estimates and upfront pricing on any repair. If you need a camera run, we can tell you up front what the visit involves. See sewer repair.
For the current inspection service, see HQ’s sewer camera inspections.