How to use this sheet
Sewer video is easy to watch and hard to remember. Within a day most homeowners recall only that there were roots somewhere. Writing each finding down with its distance on the screen counter turns a blur of pipe into a short list you can act on.
Start a new sheet for each inspection and keep them together with the video files. Comparing sheets from different years shows whether a defect is stable or getting worse.
Inspection details
- Date
- ____________
- Access point
- Cleanout / toilet / other: ________
- Furthest distance reached
- ________ ft
- Reached the city main?
- Yes / No / Not sure
- Line cleared before filming?
- Yes / No
- Contractor and CSLB license #
- ____________
Findings
| Distance | Pipe material | What you see | Severity (minor / moderate / severe) | Located and marked? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Terms for the What you see column
- Roots at joint
- Root hairs or a root mass entering where two sections meet.
- Crack
- A visible line or split in the pipe wall.
- Offset
- A lip where one section sits higher or lower than the next.
- Standing water
- Camera goes underwater; a sign of a belly.
- Scale
- Rough buildup on the inside of cast-iron pipe.
- Material change
- A transition, such as clay to plastic, often at an old repair.
Ask while you watch
- Can you pause here and tell me the distance and depth?
- Is this defect causing the stoppage, or just worth watching?
- What is above this spot on the surface?
- Can you mark this spot on the ground?
After filling it in
- IfEvery row is minorThenOngoing care may be enough; keep the sheet for comparison next time.
- IfOne severe row and the rest minorThenA spot repair at that distance may be worth pricing.
- IfSeveral moderate or severe rowsThenAsk for lining and replacement options, and compare them on the quote worksheet.
Common questions
Can I fill this in from a video file at home?
Yes, as long as the on-screen distance counter is visible. Pause at each finding and note the number.
What if the plumber did not mark anything?
You can ask for a locate on a return visit, or note the distances so the next plumber can find the spots.
Who decides severity?
Use the plumber's description, and your own notes. A second opinion can use the same sheet.
General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.