Header (fill in first)
- Date of inspection
- __________
- Access point used
- Cleanout / toilet / roof vent / other: ______
- Total distance reached
- ______ ft. Reached the main? Yes / No
- Contractor and CSLB #
- ____________________
Findings table
| Distance (ft) | Finding | Pipe material | Approx. depth | What is above |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Shorthand for the 'Finding' column
- R
- Roots: note fine, moderate or heavy.
- OJ
- Offset joint: note slight or severe.
- B
- Belly: note length and how deep the water is.
- C
- Crack: hairline, open, or multiple.
- S
- Scale or corrosion, typical in cast iron.
- MC
- Material change, such as cast iron to clay.
How to use the sheet during the review
Ask for pauses
Have the plumber stop at each defect so you can write the distance shown on screen.
Ask for the locate
For the worst defects, ask where they sit on the ground and roughly how deep.
Walk the route
Note what is above each defect: lawn, planter, driveway, sidewalk, tree.
Get the file
Write down how the footage will be delivered to you.
Before the plumber leaves
- I have a copy of the video or know when I will receive it
- Every row in the findings table has a distance
- I know whether the camera reached the main
- The recommendation is written down in the plumber's words
- I asked what would happen if we did nothing for now
Common questions
What if the plumber will not pause the video?
Ask for the recording and fill in the sheet yourself afterward. A reluctance to share footage is worth noting.
Do I need to know pipe terms?
No. The shorthand list covers the common findings, and you can write descriptions in plain words.
Is depth exact?
Locator depths are estimates, but they are useful for planning access.
General information for Whittier, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.