Why inspect first
Why get a sewer camera inspection before buying a house?
Because the drain line is buried, and a problem there is one of the costliest surprises a new owner can find. A home inspection is routine when you buy, but home inspectors only know so much about plumbing and heating, and costly repairs can get overlooked and passed on to you. A drain camera lets us see inside the line, so you know about blockages, pipe damage, root intrusion or breaks before you own them. We do drain inspections for the purchase or sale of a home across Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum Beach and Ladysmith.
Signs to ask about at a viewing
- Slow drains in more than one fixture
- Gurgling from drains or the tub when a toilet flushes
- Sewage smells inside or in the yard
- Signs of past backups in the basement
- An older home with original drain pipe
Any of these? Book a camera inspection before your conditions come off.
How it works
How a pre-purchase camera inspection works.
- Book
Call or email with the address and your timeline. Tell us when your conditions are due.
- Camera the line
We run the camera through the drain line to see its condition from the inside.
- Check the house
Ask us to add the plumbing and heating: hot water tank, water pressure, main shut-off, pipe type and the heating system.
- Walk through it
We walk you through what we found and present your options. We're not trying to sell you anything.
What the camera shows
What do you look for in the sewer line?
Anything that stops the line from carrying waste away reliably. Older sewer lines in Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum and Ladysmith were commonly built with clay tile or early materials that break down over time. They can crack, collapse or separate at the joints from soil movement, root intrusion and years of wear. The camera shows us where the problem is and how bad it is, so the fix can be planned properly.
What we watch for
- Blockages and buildup
- Tree root intrusion
- Cracked or broken pipe
- Joints that have separated
- Collapsed sections
Poly-B check
Should I check for Poly-B before buying a home?
Yes. Poly-B is a grey or blue-grey plastic water pipe used in many homes built between 1978 and 1995, and it's very common for it to leak. It can also make home insurance difficult or expensive to get. Look at the exposed pipe near the hot water tank and the main shut-off. If the home has Poly-B, we can give you a rough estimate to replace it with new piping, so you know before you buy.
Plumbing and heating
What else should a plumber check when I'm buying a home?
The things a general inspection can miss and that cost the most to fix after you move in. An aged hot water tank is more likely to leak, and sometimes we find a tank in a home for sale that's already leaking. Heating gets overlooked most in summer, when no one is running it. We check that the heating system works properly and is up to date, and tell you about the options if you want to upgrade.
Plumbing
- Hot water tank age and condition
- Water pressure
- Main water shut-off: where it is and whether it works
- Type of piping, including Poly-B
Heating
- What heat source the home has: gas, oil or electric furnace, heat pump or baseboards
- Whether it's working properly and safely
- How old it is and what upgrading would involve
What you get
What happens if the camera finds a problem?
We make you aware of it and present your options. We're not trying to sell you anything. We've seen too many people buy a home and then find they need major work they didn't know about. Knowing what's in the line gives you something real to take back to your realtor and the seller before your conditions come off. If the line does need work later, our own excavation crew and licensed plumbers can repair or replace it.
If it needs work
Can you repair the sewer line if it's damaged?
Yes. Norm's has its own excavation crews and licensed plumbers, so the same company that found the problem can fix it. Some lines need a repair to one section. When problems are frequent or the pipe is failing in several places, replacing the line is the permanent fix. We start with an assessment, plan the dig to protect driveways and landscaping, install new piping that meets current standards and restore the site.
Options
- Drain cleaning to clear roots and buildup
- Sewer line repair of a damaged section
- Sewer line replacement when the pipe has reached the end of its life
Selling a home
Should I get a camera inspection before I sell?
It can help. We do drain inspections for the sale of a home as well as the purchase. Knowing the condition of the line before you list means no surprises when a buyer's inspection comes back, and time to fix anything on your own schedule.
Timing
When should I book a sewer camera inspection?
As soon as you have an accepted offer, while you still have time to act on what we find. Tell us when your conditions are due when you book, and we'll do our best to fit your timeline. We answer our phone 24/7 at 250-753-3641.
Why Norm's
Know before you own it.
A camera inspection shows the real condition of the line instead of a guess.
We tell you what we found and what your options are. We don't push work you don't need.
If the line needs digging, our own crew and licensed plumbers do it.
A third-generation Nanaimo family business, serving the Mid-Island for more than 50 years.
Technician called me before my appointment window to see if I was home, to come earlier. He cleaned, inspected, and explained the source of the noise; he solved the noise issue. Very professional and knowledgeable. Payment was easy.
Thanks so much, Dan! You were super knowledgable and were efficient with your inspection. I was happy to receive some education as well regarding my furnace and heat pump.
What it costs
What does a pre-purchase sewer camera inspection cost?
It depends on the property, how easy the line is to get into and whether you add the plumbing and heating check. We give you the price when you book, before we come out.
- Price confirmed when you book
- Add a plumbing and heating check
- Repairs quoted before any work
FAQ
Sewer camera inspection questions, answered
Doesn't a home inspection cover the sewer line?
A general home inspection usually looks at what the inspector can see. The drain line is buried, and a camera is how you see inside it. Home inspectors only know so much about plumbing and heating, and costly repairs can be overlooked.
What can a sewer camera find?
Blockages, pipe damage, root intrusion and breaks in the line. In older lines built with clay tile, it can show cracks, collapsed sections and joints that have separated.
Do you inspect drains for a home sale?
Yes. We do drain inspections for both the purchase and the sale of a home across Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum Beach and Ladysmith.
What do I get after the inspection?
We walk you through what we found and present your options, so you can decide what to do before your conditions come off.
Can you check for Poly-B at the same time?
Yes. We check the type of piping, the hot water tank, water pressure and the main shut-off. If there's Poly-B, we can give you a rough estimate to replace it.
If the line is damaged, can Norm's fix it?
Yes. We have our own excavation crews and licensed plumbers for sewer line repair and replacement, so one company handles the dig and the plumbing.
How soon can you do an inspection?
Call 250-753-3641 and tell us when your conditions are due. We'll do our best to fit your timeline.
Related services
Ready when you are
Look inside the line before you buy.
We answer 24/7. Prefer email? Send the form and we'll get back to you during business hours.
250-753-3641