Sewer line problems are unpredictable. That’s because they develop over time. Some examples include a root intrusion that started years ago, scale buildup narrowing a pipe for a decade or a small crack getting bigger after every freeze-thaw cycle. When a problem happens, you’ll notice it.
Here are the benefits of booking a preventative sewer line inspection with Mr. Mike’s Plumbing:
Most of the time, a sewer line failing happens after years of wear. How do you stop it? Schedule a preventative sewer line inspection that catches these problems while they’re still manageable. It will save you from a backed-up basement or an emergency repair call at midnight. Mr. Mike’s Plumbing offers these services to homeowners, property managers and anyone who wants to understand the condition of their main line before something goes wrong across Calgary. Contact us to schedule an inspection today.
A preventative sewer line inspection is a scheduled sewer camera inspection to find out the current condition of the line. A licensed technician inserts a high-definition camera into the sewer line through a cleanout or drain access point. Traveling through the full length of the line, it transmits live footage inside the pipe.
This isn’t a reactive inspection that happens because of a backup or suspected problem, it’s planned maintenance. The goal is identifying underlying issues like root intrusion, buildup, minor cracks or pipe deterioration in the early stages so you have options for solutions.
The sewer camera inspection is straightforward. Our technician will access the line through a cleanout that’s usually located in the basement, a crawlspace or outside near the foundation. A flexible cable fitted with a high-definition camera is fed into the line and guided through the full length of the pipe to the municipal connection at the street.
The technician will monitor the live feed as the camera records footage. It captures everything inside the pipe including the pipe material, condition of the joints, root intrusion, buildup, cracks, misalignment or other issues along the main line. Following the inspection, our technician will walk you through the findings and explain what, if anything, needs attention.
Calgary’s climate presents unique challenges for underground sewer infrastructure. The freeze-thaw cycles of Alberta winters put stress on buried pipes, especially at joints and in sections where ground movement occurs. Many Calgary homes, especially those built before the 1980s have clay tile or cast iron sewer lines that are well past their lifespan. Mature trees throughout Calgary’s established neighbourhoods cause root intrusion and are an ongoing risk to residential sewer lines.
Preventative sewer line inspections keep Calgary homeowners and property managers ahead of these risks. Catching root intrusion early can be the difference between cleaning and replacement. Finding a crack early can prevent an emergency excavation and the cost difference is huge.
Have a home built before 1990? The sewer line has probably never been inspected or is approaching or at the end of its service lifespan depending on the pipe material. A routine camera inspection will show the condition of your line. If there’s an issue, there’s still time to address it on your own terms.
Sewer line failures at rental properties are a liability, can displace tenants and result in emergency repair costs that dwarf the price of a routine inspection. Property managers with multiple properties benefit from scheduled sewer line inspections as part of a regular maintenance program. We work with property managers across Calgary to schedule drain and sewer line inspections across portfolios efficiently.
Tree roots often cause sewer line damage in Calgary. Mature trees in your yard like poplar, willow or elm may already have root systems probing your sewer line for moisture. A regular sewer scope inspection can monitor root activity and prevent intrusion before it results in a blockage or structural damage.
Dealing with recurring slow drains, repeated blockages or have unexplained gurgling coming from multiple fixtures? Something in your sewer line is likely behind the problem. A sewer line inspection will identify if the problem is in the main line or isolated to individual drain lines to point the repair in the right direction.
Planning a renovation, adding fixtures, bathrooms or increasing the load on your existing drain system? Consider scheduling a pipe inspection of the main sewer line to see if it’s in good enough condition to handle the additional demand. Knowing if you need a repair or replacement before you start renovating is better than discovering it during.
A preventative camera inspection in Calgary can identify:
If there are no issues, you receive documented confirmation the line is in good condition, which is helpful for maintaining a property, planning a renovation or having peace of mind.
The inspection is a diagnostic service. The next step depends on what the camera finds:
In most Calgary homes, a preventative sewer line inspection every two to three years is reasonable. However, the following can warrant more frequent inspections:
Our technician will provide a specific recommendation based on what the current inspection finds.
This is a scheduled camera inspection for maintenance purposes rather than responding to a problem. A camera is inserted into the sewer line to show its condition and to identify root intrusion, buildup, cracks or deterioration in the early stage while they’re still manageable.
A flexible cable with a high-definition camera is inserted into a sewer line through a cleanout access point. The camera travels the full length of the line while the technician monitors the live feed. Along the way, it records and reviews everything inside the pipe. After the inspection, the technician will walk you through findings.
Every two to three years will work for most Calgary homes. If you have older pipes, large trees near the line or a history of drain problems, consider scheduling more frequent inspections. We provide a specific recommendation after the inspection.
The price depends on the length of the sewer line and access conditions. We provide upfront pricing before the inspection begins. Call (403) 520-2040 or book a quote online.
Root intrusion, pipe cracks and fractures, buildup and scale, bellied pipe sections, joint separations, corrosion and pipe material issues. If it’s visible inside the pipe, the camera will catch it.
Common signs of a sewer line problem include: multiple slow drains at a time, gurgling sounds from drains, sewage smell from fixtures, recurring blockages after previous cleaning and water backing into floor drains or a tub when the toilet flushes.
The majority of residential sewer line inspections take between 45 and 90 minutes. When you book, we will provide a timeline estimate.
Yes and it’s one of the most common issues we find during Calgary sewer inspections. Roots get in through small cracks or gaps at pipe joints and grow over time. Leaving them unchecked can lead to blockages and structural damage. Catching root intrusion early through periodic line inspections will let you address it with cleaning instead of replacement.
In most cases, yes. Homes built before 1980 usually have clay tile or cast iron sewer lines that are at or past their service life. These materials are more vulnerable to cracking, root intrusion and joint failure than modern PVC. Annual or biennial sewer line inspections for older homes will keep you up-to-date on a system that’s more likely to need attention.
Don’t wait for a backup to find out what’s in your sewer line. Mr. Mike’s Plumbing provides preventative sewer line inspections across Calgary for homeowners, property managers and rental property owners. Fast scheduling, clear findings and licensed technicians on every inspection. Contact us to schedule an inspection today.
