How to understand what you see in a camera inspection — whether you get a report or the raw footage.
At Sunburst Environmental, you receive the actual footage rather than just a written report — so this guide is about understanding what you are watching on the monitor during the inspection and afterward when you review the video.
What you will see
Normal pipe — a clean, round cross-section. The pipe wall appears smooth and consistent. The camera advances easily without obstruction. The color depends on the pipe material: PVC is typically white or grey, cast iron appears dark, clay tile has a brick-like texture.
Grease buildup — a yellowish to dark brown coating on the pipe walls. Light buildup looks like a slight discoloration or roughness. Heavy buildup significantly narrows the visible opening and the coating appears layered. The camera may slow or get tight when buildup is severe.
Root intrusion — roots appear as white to tan fibrous material growing into the pipe. Fine early intrusion looks like tendrils coming through a joint. Advanced intrusion fills a significant portion of the pipe cross-section.
Pipe cracks and deterioration — visible breaks or fractures in the pipe wall. Scale or spalling on cast iron. Clay tile sections that have crumbled. These appear as irregularities in the pipe wall surface.
Offset joints — the camera shows a section where the pipe appears to step or jog — the centerline of the pipe shifts at a joint, creating a ledge.
Bellied pipe — the camera descends into a low spot and you may see standing water in the bottom of the pipe. The image shows the camera traveling downhill and then uphill, with a pooling area in between.
Collapse — the camera encounters the pipe wall caved in. The round cross-section deforms or disappears. The camera cannot advance. This is the definitive sign of a structural failure.
What we explain as we go
You watch the monitor with us and we narrate what we are seeing. If you have questions about a specific section — what you are seeing, whether it is normal, what it means for the pipe — ask in real time. The walkthrough after the inspection summarizes the key findings.
Call Sunburst Environmental at 678-799-4389 for same-day service across Metro Atlanta and North Georgia, or request a free estimate online.