What Is CCTV Drain Camera Inspection?

A CCTV drain camera is a small, waterproof camera mounted on a flexible rod that is pushed through your drainpipe. It sends live video to a monitor, allowing the plumber to see exactly what is causing a blockage — without any digging or guesswork.

What Can a Drain Camera Find?

• Tree root intrusion — common in older Randburg suburbs like Northcliff and Parkhurst
• Collapsed or cracked pipes
• Build-up of grease, scale, or debris
• Misaligned pipe joints causing recurring blockages
• Foreign objects lodged deep in the drain

The camera pinpoints the exact location and depth of the problem, meaning any necessary excavation is targeted and minimal — saving you money and disruption.

What Is High-Pressure Water Jetting?

Also known as hydro-jetting or pressure jetting, this technique uses water pumped at extremely high pressure through a specialised nozzle to blast away blockages and scour the interior walls of your drainpipes clean. Unlike a standard plumber’s snake, which simply punches a hole through a blockage, pressure jetting thoroughly clears the pipe and removes the debris causing the problem — reducing the chance of it returning.

When Is Pressure Jetting Needed?

• Recurring blockages that keep coming back despite regular plunging
• Multiple slow-draining fixtures throughout the house simultaneously
• Commercial kitchens with heavy grease build-up in drain lines
• Main sewer line blockages involving tree root infiltration
• Preventative maintenance on older drain systems

Drain Repair, Installation & COC Certificates

Once a camera inspection identifies damage beyond a simple blockage — such as cracked pipes, collapsed sections, or extensive root damage — repairs or full pipe replacement may be necessary. In some cases, a Drainage Certificate of Compliance (COC) is also required, particularly for property sales or insurance claims.

For specialist drain services including unblocking, CCTV camera inspections, pressure jetting, pipe repairs, new drain installations, and drain COC certificates, DrainFix Plumbing is a trusted specialist covering a comprehensive range of drainage solutions — from routine unblocking through to full drainage system installations and compliance certification.

How Often Should Drains Be Professionally Cleaned?

For residential properties, a professional drain clean every 2–3 years is a sound preventative measure — particularly if you have large trees near your sewer line or live in an older Randburg suburb with ageing pipe infrastructure. Commercial kitchens benefit from bi-annual jetting to prevent costly emergency callouts.

Signs You Need a Drain Camera Inspection Now

• Multiple drains in your home are slow or backed up at the same time
• You can smell sewage from your drains or near external drain covers
• Dirty water or sewage is backing up into your bath, shower, or toilet
• Your property has large or mature trees near the main sewer line
• Your home is more than 20 years old and has never had a drain inspection
• You’re buying or selling a property and need a drain COC

Randburg Plumbing Drain Services

Our team carries professional drain-clearing equipment and can handle most household blockages on the same day you call. For complex drain issues requiring camera inspection, specialist pipe repair, or drainage compliance certification, we work alongside trusted local drain specialists to make sure your problem is fully and permanently resolved.

Call us on 073 707 8085 for fast same-day drain clearing across all Randburg suburbs — from Ferndale and Northcliff to Linden, Blairgowrie, and beyond.

The Most Common Causes of Blocked Drains

Kitchen Drains

Grease and fat are the number-one cause of kitchen drain blockages. When hot cooking oil is poured down the drain, it cools and solidifies in your pipes, creating a sticky surface that traps food particles over time. Coffee grounds, rice, and pasta also contribute to build-up.

Bathroom Drains

Hair, soap scum, and toiletry residue accumulate in bathroom sink and shower drains. Over time, a thick mat of hair and soap creates a serious blockage that a plunger alone can’t always clear.

Toilet Blockages

Flushing wet wipes (even those labelled “flushable”), sanitary products, cotton wool, and excessive toilet paper are the leading causes of toilet blockages. These items don’t break down in water and quickly cause significant blockages in the sewer line.

Main Sewer Line Blockages

Tree root intrusion is a serious and often overlooked cause of sewer blockages in established Randburg suburbs. Roots are drawn to moisture and can infiltrate pipes through tiny cracks, gradually expanding until the pipe is completely blocked or collapses.

Simple Prevention Tips

• Fit drain screens in your kitchen sink, shower, and bath to catch hair and food particles.
• Never pour cooking grease down the drain — let it solidify and dispose of it in the bin.
• Only flush toilet paper — nothing else.
• Pour boiling water down kitchen drains weekly to melt grease build-up.
• Have your drains professionally cleaned every 2–3 years.

When a Plunger Isn’t Enough

If a blockage keeps returning after plunging, or if multiple drains in your home are slow at the same time, you likely have a blockage in the main sewer line. This requires professional equipment — specifically hydro-jetting, which uses high-pressure water to cut through blockages and clean the inside of the pipe.

Randburg Plumbing’s Drain Clearing Service

Our team uses professional CCTV drain inspection cameras to locate the exact position and cause of a blockage before we clear it. This prevents unnecessary excavation and ensures the problem is fully resolved. We cover all Randburg suburbs — from Ferndale to Northcliff, Blairgowrie to Linden.

Call us on 073 707 8085 for fast drain clearing — same-day service available.