Licensed by the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board
All our plumbers and gasfitters are PGDB registered certifying tradespeople — we can self-certify our own work for full compliance.
CCTV drain inspection in Auckland from $295 +GST. Response Plumbing uses a Ridgid SeeSnake HD camera to inspect drains and sewer lines, find blockages, cracks, root intrusion, and collapsed pipes. You get recorded footage and a written report. Call 0800 877 586.
CCTV drain inspection is a non-invasive diagnostic service using high-definition cameras to visually inspect the interior of drains and sewer lines. Response Plumbing uses professional Ridgid drain cameras across Auckland — typical inspections take 30–60 minutes and locate blockages, cracks, root intrusion, and pipe damage before any excavation. PGDB-registered drainlayers with $5 million public liability insurance.
Ridgid SeeSnake and Solo Pro camera systems. Pipes from 40mm to 200mm. Sonde locating to trace drain lines from the surface. Licensed drainlayer. $0 call out fee. Available 24/7.
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All our plumbers and gasfitters are PGDB registered certifying tradespeople — we can self-certify our own work for full compliance.
Solo Pro CCTV camera deployed at night for an after-hours drain inspection. Camera cable fed into the PVC waste line, live footage on the monitor. Drain problems don't wait for business hours — we're available 24/7 with both camera systems.
Solo Pro camera and jetter hose deployed at a residential property. We inspect the drain with CCTV first to diagnose the problem, then clear the blockage with the hydro jetter, and re-inspect to confirm the drain is clear. Camera, jetter, and the skills to fix what we find — all in one visit.
CCTV footage from a recent Auckland inspection showing a cracked and deteriorating earthenware drain at 8.16 metres. The pipe walls have broken down, debris is accumulating, and the drain is heading toward collapse. This is exactly why CCTV inspection matters — you can see the problem before it becomes an emergency.
At 9.52 metres — debris build-up and root entry points visible in this earthenware drain. Roots have started entering through cracked joints, and broken pipe material is accumulating on the invert. Left unchecked, this drain will block repeatedly. Options: hydro jet to clear, then reline to seal the joints permanently.
Close-up of the Solo Pro monitor during a live inspection. Distance counter visible at top left, timestamp and recording indicator on screen. Every metre of pipe is recorded and documented — this footage becomes part of your written report.
A CCTV inspection takes the guesswork out of drain problems. Here's when it makes sense.
If the same drain keeps blocking, there's a reason — cracked pipe, root intrusion, a belly in the line, or a collapsed section. Clearing the blockage is temporary. CCTV shows you the underlying cause so you can fix it permanently.
The drainage system is one of the most expensive things to fix on a property — and it's completely hidden underground. A CCTV inspection before you buy reveals cracked pipes, root damage, illegal connections, and ageing earthenware drains that could cost thousands to repair after settlement.
Sewage smells in the yard, unexplained damp patches, or unusually green grass along a drain line usually means a cracked or broken pipe leaking below the surface. CCTV confirms the location and extent of the damage without digging.
Need to know where your drains run before building an extension, pool, or retaining wall? CCTV inspection with sonde locating maps the exact path and depth of your drain lines — essential for avoiding damage during construction.
Ground movement can crack pipes, displace joints, and collapse drain lines. If your property has been affected by earthquake, subsidence, or significant ground movement, a CCTV inspection reveals any damage before it becomes a bigger problem.
Need evidence for an insurance claim? Our CCTV footage and written report provide clear documentation of drain damage — including the type of defect, its location, and the extent of the problem. Accepted by insurers and used by loss adjusters.
Simple, non-invasive, and gives you a clear answer on the condition of your drains.
We access the drain through an existing point — gully trap, manhole, inspection opening, or cleanout. No digging required in most cases.
The CCTV camera is fed into the pipe. The self-levelling camera head keeps the image upright as it travels through the drain, giving a clear, orientated view.
We inspect the full length of the drain in real-time on a monitor. Every defect, blockage, and section of pipe is recorded with a distance counter showing exact location.
Using the camera's built-in sonde, we trace the drain path from the surface and pinpoint the location and depth of any defects or blockages.
You get the full CCTV footage and a written report detailing every finding — condition, defects, locations, and our recommended course of action.
Auckland's drainage ranges from 100-year-old earthenware to modern PVC — and we see it all. Here's what the camera typically finds.
Tree root intrusion is the most common problem we find. Roots enter through cracked joints in earthenware and concrete pipes, growing inside the drain until they cause recurring blockages. The CCTV camera shows exactly where the roots are entering and how far they've spread — critical information for deciding between clearing, relining, or replacement.
Cracked and broken pipes are common in earthenware drains across Auckland's older suburbs. Ground movement, age, and tree root pressure all crack these pipes over time. The camera shows the exact location and severity — from minor cracks that can be patch-repaired to complete breaks that need relining or replacement.
Displaced joints happen when the ground shifts and moves pipe sections apart. This creates a gap at the joint where roots enter and debris catches, causing recurring blockages. The CCTV footage shows the offset clearly and tells us whether relining can bridge the gap or if excavation is needed.
Collapsed drains are the worst-case scenario — the pipe has completely lost its shape and collapsed inward, blocking flow entirely. CCTV shows us how far the collapse extends and whether there's enough pipe remaining to reline or if full replacement is the only option.
Build-up and scale narrows the pipe bore over time, especially in older cast iron and concrete drains. Grease, calcium, and corrosion products coat the inside of the pipe, reducing flow capacity. CCTV shows the extent of the build-up so we can determine whether hydro jetting will clear it or if the pipe itself needs attention.
We use CCTV drain cameras across a range of inspection and diagnostic services.
Full CCTV survey of your drainage system to assess overall condition — identify defects, damage, and sections needing repair before they fail.
CCTV drain survey before buying a property. Full report on drain condition — identify hidden problems that could cost thousands after settlement.
Find the cause of recurring blockages — root intrusion, collapsed pipe, build-up, or foreign objects. Fix the cause, not just the symptom.
Trace and map drain routes from the surface using the camera's sonde locator. Essential before building work, pool installation, or landscaping.
CCTV footage and written reports for insurance claims, council compliance, code compliance certificates, and property disputes.
CCTV inspection after drain relining, replacement, or unblocking to verify the repair is complete and the drain is clear and flowing.
CCTV drain inspection with full footage and written report. $0 call out fee. Available 24/7.
0800 877 586We use two professional CCTV drain camera systems — the Ridgid SeeSnake and the Solo Pro — giving us the right tool for every pipe size and access situation.
The Ridgid SeeSnake is our primary inspection camera — an industry-standard system used by professional drain inspectors worldwide. The self-levelling camera head automatically keeps the image upright regardless of the camera's position inside the pipe, giving a clear, correctly orientated view. Built-in distance counter, integrated sonde transmitter for surface locating, and full digital recording.
The Solo Pro is a compact, high-resolution camera ideal for smaller diameter pipes and tight-access situations where the larger SeeSnake can't reach. It handles internal waste lines, kitchen and bathroom drains, and smaller diameter pipes with sharp bends that require a more flexible camera head.
Between the two systems, we cover pipes from 40mm to 200mm diameter — everything from kitchen waste lines and bathroom drains through to main sewer and stormwater lines. All inspections are digitally recorded and provided to you as video footage along with a written report. The footage is timestamped and distance-marked, and is accepted by insurers, councils, and loss adjusters.
We're not just an inspection company — we're licensed plumbers, gasfitters, and drainlayers. If the CCTV finds a problem, we can fix it on the spot or quote the repair immediately. Drain unblocking, relining, and replacement — all done in-house with our own equipment.
We own our CCTV cameras, hydro jetters, drain relining equipment, and directional drill. No subcontractors, no middlemen, no markups. One company from inspection through to repair.
Every CCTV inspection comes with the full video footage and a written report. We explain what we found in plain language, show you the footage, and give you clear options — not jargon and scare tactics.
No call out fee, no travel charge, no diagnostic fee. We provide an upfront price for the CCTV inspection before we start.
Drain emergencies don't wait for business hours. We're available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — including nights, weekends, and public holidays.
Independently rated Auckland's top plumber. 4.8 stars on Google with 222+ verified reviews. Licensed, insured, and guaranteed.
We provide CCTV drain inspections across greater Auckland.
Takapuna · Albany · Browns Bay · Birkenhead · Devonport · Milford · Glenfield · Northcote · Sunnynook · Torbay
Orewa · Silverdale · Whangaparaoa · Gulf Harbour · Stanmore Bay · Red Beach · Millwater
Henderson · Te Atatu · Hobsonville · Massey · Westgate · Glen Eden · Titirangi · New Lynn · Kumeu
Ponsonby · Grey Lynn · Parnell · Remuera · Epsom · Mt Eden · Kingsland · Mission Bay · Newmarket
Howick · Pakuranga · Botany · Half Moon Bay · Bucklands Beach · Dannemora · Beachlands · Whitford
Manukau · Papakura · Pukekohe · Takanini · Mangere · Papatoetoe · Manurewa · Drury
Very quick response. Called them around 9AM and Mitch was at my property at 10:30AM. Very helpful, satisfactory services. Mitch also advised us about the future things to keep in mind to prevent the drainage blockage. 100% recommended. Thank you for your service.
I am very grateful that they promptly repaired my drainage system. The blockage in my pipes was causing the toilet to drain improperly and making constant noise, which was quite a hassle for us. Their service was extremely professional. The emergency plumber team arrived, quickly identified the issue, and resolved it efficiently. I'm very thankful for the convenience they provided and would recommend them to anyone with plumbing issues.
Very quick response. Called them around 9AM and Mitch was at my property at 10:30AM. Very helpful, satisfactory services. Mitch also advised us about the future things to keep in mind to prevent the drainage blockage. 100% recommended. Thank you for your service.
I am very grateful that they promptly repaired my drainage system. The blockage in my pipes was causing the toilet to drain improperly and making constant noise, which was quite a hassle for us. Their service was extremely professional. Before this, we had consulted with others who suggested that we might even need to remove the toilet. However, the emergency plumber team arrived, quickly identified the issue, and resolved it efficiently. I'm very thankful for the convenience they provided and would recommend them to anyone with plumbing issues.
How we cleared a "blocked toilet" that another plumber had given up on — without breaking a single brick.
A Devonport homeowner called us out for what they thought was a blocked toilet. Another plumber had already been to the property earlier and tried to clear it — but left without solving the problem. By the time we arrived, the family had been without a working toilet for most of the day.
A few quick checks told us straight away: the toilet itself wasn't the problem. The blockage was further down the line, in the main drain serving the whole house. That's why the previous plumber's toilet-focused attempts hadn't worked — they were treating the symptom, not the cause.
We brought in our hydro jetter and CCTV drain camera. Within minutes the camera revealed the culprit: a tennis ball, lodged firmly in the main drain. Using our specialist drain unblocking equipment, we removed it cleanly through the existing access point — no digging, no broken concrete, no damage to the property.
Total time on site: 45 minutes. Total damage to the property: none. The alternative — excavating the drain, removing the ball, reinstating the concrete and landscaping — would have cost the homeowner several thousand dollars and left them without a working bathroom for days. Knowing exactly what tools to bring, and using a camera to diagnose before you dig, makes all the difference.
A CCTV drain inspection uses a specialised waterproof camera inserted into your drain to inspect the pipe in real-time. The camera transmits live video to a monitor, showing blockages, cracks, root intrusion, displaced joints, and collapsed sections. We record the footage and provide it with a written report.
CCTV drain inspections start from $250 for a standard residential inspection — this includes full inspection, recorded HD footage, and a written report. Pricing varies with the number of drains inspected, access, and pipe length. More complex inspections involving multiple lines or hard-to-reach areas may cost more. We always quote upfront before starting — $0 call out fee. In many cases, the CCTV inspection is included as part of a drain unblocking or relining job at no additional charge.
Recommended situations include: before buying a property (especially homes built before 1990), when drains keep blocking, slow draining or sewage smells, damp patches in the yard, after ground movement, before landscaping or building work near drains, after tree root damage is suspected, to assess drain condition before relining or replacement, or as part of routine maintenance for older properties.
A standard residential CCTV inspection typically takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on the number of drain lines and total pipe length. More complex inspections covering multiple drain runs or difficult access points can take 1 to 2 hours. Time includes setup, inspection, location marking, and producing the written report. Most inspections are completed in a single visit.
Yes. You receive the full HD CCTV video footage — typically delivered via USB drive, email, or cloud link — along with a written report detailing the condition of the pipe, any defects and their locations, and our recommended repairs. This documentation is useful for insurance claims, pre-purchase decisions, planning work, and comparing with future inspections.
Yes. The camera has a built-in distance counter and sonde locator. We can pinpoint the exact location and depth of a blockage or damaged section — both along the pipe and from the surface.
We use two professional camera systems — the Ridgid SeeSnake and the Solo Pro. The SeeSnake has a self-levelling camera head, built-in sonde, and digital recording. The Solo Pro is a compact, high-resolution camera for smaller pipes and tight access. Between the two, we cover pipes from 40mm to 200mm.
Yes. The camera's built-in sonde transmitter allows us to trace the exact path and depth of the drain from the surface using a locator. Essential for mapping drains before building work.
Yes — especially for homes built before 1990. Cracked earthenware pipes, root intrusion, collapsed drains, and illegal connections can cost thousands to fix. A pre-purchase CCTV inspection gives you the full picture before you commit.
Yes. We inspect both sewer and stormwater drainage systems. Many Auckland properties have separate networks, and both can develop issues. We inspect and report on the full drainage system.
We insert a small waterproof HD camera on a flexible rod into your drain or sewer line. The camera feeds live video back to a monitor, letting us see exactly what's inside the pipe. We record the footage, mark the exact location of any issues, and provide you with a written report and video recording.
HD drain cameras can identify tree root intrusion, pipe cracks and fractures, collapsed or broken sections, pipe bellies (sagging sections holding water), joint separations, mineral buildup, grease accumulation, foreign objects, and general pipe condition. Modern cameras have built-in location tracking so we can pinpoint exactly where an issue is underground.
Not necessarily. As long as we can access the drain access points (gully traps, inspection chambers, or cleanouts), we can complete the inspection. We can report findings by phone and email if you're unable to be on-site. For pre-purchase inspections, we coordinate access with the agent or current owner.
A CCTV drain inspection is diagnostic — we look at the drain without cleaning it. Drain cleaning physically removes blockages and debris. Often they're done together: inspection first to identify the issue, then cleaning or repair to fix it. We can do both in the same visit.
Yes. This is one of the most common reasons for CCTV inspection. If drains keep blocking despite clearing, there's usually an underlying cause like tree roots, pipe damage, or a belly in the line. CCTV shows us exactly what's causing the problem so we can recommend a permanent fix.
CCTV drain inspection isn't legally required for home purchases but is strongly recommended as part of pre-purchase due diligence, especially for older properties. Drain repairs can cost thousands to tens of thousands, and insurance rarely covers pre-existing damage. A $250 inspection can save a buyer from a massive post-purchase repair bill.
Response Plumbing provides professional CCTV drain inspections across Auckland — from pre-purchase surveys to emergency blockage diagnosis. We use a Ridgid SeeSnake and Solo Pro camera system to inspect drains from 40mm to 200mm, with built-in sonde locating to trace drain lines and pinpoint defects from the surface. Every inspection includes full video footage and a written report.
Unlike standalone inspection companies, we're also licensed plumbers, drainlayers, and gasfitters — meaning when the CCTV finds a problem, we can fix it. Drain unblocking with hydro jetting, drain relining with CIPP liners, water main replacement with our own directional drill, and full drain excavation and replacement when needed. One company from inspection through to repair — no subcontractors, no referrals, no waiting for a second company to come and quote.
We're independently rated Auckland's #1 plumber on MoneyHub NZ, with 4.8 stars on Google from 222+ verified reviews. PGDB registered plumber, Registered Certifying Gasfitter, and registered drainlayer. Every job backed by our 5-year workmanship warranty and $5 million public liability insurance. $0 call out fee. Available 24/7. Call 0800 877 586.
Why Tree Roots Love Your Drains · How to Prevent Blocked Drains
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Every job backed by a 5-year written warranty. If something we installed fails, we fix it free — no questions asked.
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0800 877 586