A CCTV drain inspection report is the foundation of every informed drain relining decision on the Central Coast. But the report can be confusing if you have never seen one, defect codes, pipe distance notations, and technical terminology that is second nature to a drain technician can be opaque to a homeowner reading it for the first time. This guide explains what a good inspection report contains and how to read it.
Quick answer (BLUF)
A complete CCTV drain inspection report includes: a video of the pipe interior with distance overlay, a written defect log listing each finding with its location along the pipe run, a severity rating for each defect, the pipe material identified, access point locations and a recommendation with options. When you receive your report, you should be able to identify exactly what was found, where it is, and what action is recommended.
What the camera sees
The CCTV camera is a small waterproof unit mounted on a cable or tracked vehicle, pushed through the pipe from an inspection access point. The video it records shows the interior of the pipe from the inside looking forward, you are effectively travelling through the drain.
On the monitor (and in the footage you receive), you will see:
- Pipe material type: Terracotta has an orange-red, slightly rough barrel surface with visible circular joint lines every 300-600 mm. AC cement is grey with a matte texture. PVC is smooth and uniform.
- Distance counter: A running distance readout in the corner of the screen (e.g., 0.00 m, 1.50 m, 3.75 m) tracks the camera’s progress from the start of the run.
- Junctions and laterals: Where other drains join the main pipe, you will see an opening in the pipe wall, a lateral connection. These are noted by location.
- Defects: Root infiltration, cracks, deformation, joint displacement, silt accumulation, each appears differently on camera.
What a good written report contains
The written report (which should accompany or follow the footage) should include:
Property information: Address, date of inspection, camera operator’s name and licence number.
Pipe specification: Material type, nominal diameter, direction of run (e.g., from main cleanout toward public sewer main), total length inspected.
Access point record: Where the camera entered and exited the pipe, inspection shaft, cleanout, gully trap, or newly established access point.
Defect log: A table or list, in order of distance along the run, of every defect found. Each defect entry should include:
- Distance from the access point (e.g., 6.5 m)
- Defect type (root infiltration, joint displacement, crack, silt accumulation)
- Position in the pipe (clock position, e.g., “at 9 o’clock” means left side of pipe when facing direction of flow)
- Severity rating
Recommendation: Written advice on what action is appropriate, clear only, point repair, full-length relining, monitor and re-inspect in 12 months, excavate and replace.
Photo attachments: Still images captured from the video at each defect location, marked with the distance reading.
Common defect types and what they look like
Root infiltration (RI)
Fine white or brownish threads entering from a joint gap. Minor infiltration is a few thread roots entering at one joint. Severe infiltration is a mat of roots filling 30-70% of the pipe bore. In the video, roots look similar to hair or plant fibres caught at the joint entry.
Joint displacement / offset joint
The joint between two pipe sections has shifted horizontally or vertically. The pipe bore is no longer continuous, there is a visible step or ledge. On camera, you see one pipe wall suddenly stepping inward while the opposite side steps outward at the joint.
Circumferential crack
A crack running around the pipe barrel, not at a joint, but through the pipe wall itself. May appear as a hairline (barely visible) or as an open crack with soil visible beyond.
Longitudinal crack
A crack running along the length of the pipe. Less common than circumferential cracks. Visible as a dark line running lengthways along the pipe wall.
Pipe belly / sag
A section of pipe where the gradient reverses, instead of sloping downhill toward the sewer main, a section dips and creates a low point. On camera, you see the pipe appears to go downhill, reach a lowest point, then go uphill again. Debris and silt accumulate at the belly point and are visible as a grey-brown deposit at the pipe invert.
Silt and sediment
Grey or brown deposit at the base of the pipe (the invert). Minor accumulation is a thin layer; severe accumulation can partially fill the pipe. In a pre-reline inspection, silt must be assessed, the pipe must be jetted clean before lining.
Corrosion (AC cement)
Pitting and spalling visible on the interior pipe surface. The smooth grey AC cement surface shows irregular holes, pits and areas of material loss. In severe cases, aggregate is exposed where the cement matrix has eroded.
Severity ratings explained
Different contractors use different rating scales. Common systems include:
Condition grade (1-5):
- Grade 1: No defects
- Grade 2: Minor defects, monitor
- Grade 3: Moderate defects, maintenance recommended
- Grade 4: Significant defects, repair required
- Grade 5: Critical defects, immediate action required
Simple qualitative rating: Some reports use “minor,” “moderate” and “severe” for each defect.
WSAA code system: The Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) has a standardised defect coding system used in professional drain inspection. Codes like RFI (root infiltration), DJO (displaced joint offset), CRF (circumferential fracture) may appear in reports from technically proficient operators.
Ask your contractor what rating system their report uses so you can interpret the findings correctly.
Reading the distance markings
The distance reading is crucial for any subsequent relining or point repair. It tells the contractor exactly where the defect is along the pipe run, so the liner or patch can be positioned correctly.
For example: “Root infiltration at 8.3 m from cleanout at joint, moderate, 3 o’clock position” tells the relining crew to position the liner start at or before 8 m, and confirms the lateral reinstatement (if there is a joint at 8.3 m, there may be a lateral) needs attention.
When reviewing a report, trace the defects from the access point outward. Build a mental map: the pipe starts at the cleanout (0 m), the first defect is at X metres, the lateral connection is at Y metres, and so on.
What a good report does NOT do
A good inspection report does not:
- Tell you the pipe needs replacing when relining is an option (flag this if you see it, ask for the footage)
- Skip the written defect log and just give you footage (footage without documentation is not a report)
- Provide only verbal findings with no written record
- Omit the post-lining inspection report on a completed relining job
FAQs
How do I get the CCTV footage from my inspection?
Ask the contractor for a USB or digital download link. All reputable contractors can provide the raw footage. You should receive both the footage and the written report as part of your inspection documentation.
What if the report says “monitor only”, what does that mean?
“Monitor” means the defects found are minor and do not currently warrant immediate repair. The recommendation is typically to re-inspect in 12 months to check whether they are progressing. For terracotta root infiltration, a single fine root tail at one joint on an otherwise clear pipe might reasonably attract a “monitor” recommendation.
I got a report that just says “cleared OK, minor roots”, is that enough?
No. A compliant inspection report for relining purposes needs the defect log with distance markers and a written recommendation. “Cleared OK, minor roots” is a clearing report, not an inspection report. Request the full defect log.
Can I use the same CCTV report for multiple quotes?
Yes. If you have a current inspection report (done within the last 6-12 months, and the pipe has not changed significantly), you can share it with multiple contractors as the basis for quotes. This allows genuine comparison, all contractors are quoting on the same assessed scope.