A dry basement and a freely draining sink do not answer every question about a buried drain. The useful starting point is what you need to learn, which pipe would be reviewed and what the provider can actually report.
Name the pipe and the question
London’s sewer information distinguishes the building sewer and Private Drain Connection within the sanitary lateral. Ask the provider to identify the portion they intend to inspect and explain which responsibilities or City processes apply. Do not assume a camera request covers every underground pipe.
Frame the question clearly: available maintenance history, a reported backup, uncertainty about the route or another concern identified by an inspector. OEV and Hamilton Road addresses should be assessed individually. This page makes no claim that every home in either area needs the same investigation.
Arrange permission and access before booking
Ask your REALTOR® to coordinate access through the appropriate transaction process. Confirm who must be present, whether a usable access point exists, what preparation is required and whether any work beyond observation is proposed. A booked appointment does not authorize intrusive work by itself.
Discuss timing before relying on the result for an offer decision. If access is restricted or the provider cannot inspect the intended segment, record the limitation and ask what alternatives are reasonable. Do not present a partial review as complete.
Request a report you can use later
Ask for the scope, date, property identifier, accessible route, observations and limitations in writing, with footage or images where included. Ask whether findings can be located well enough for a further quote and which conclusions require another professional.
A video without an explanation can be difficult for a buyer to interpret. Ask the provider to distinguish observed conditions from recommendations and uncertainty. Do not diagnose a buried pipe from an isolated screenshot or infer the remaining life of the whole system.
Separate inspection from repair proposals
If repair is recommended, request a written scope and ask about access, restoration, permits and the responsibility boundary. Clarify whether the provider’s estimate covers the entire recommended project. Discuss alternatives with qualified professionals when the decision is significant.
The City publishes information about sewer services and Private Drain Connections. Confirm the current process directly before assuming the City will inspect, repair, pay for or schedule work for your transaction. Avoid quoting program eligibility or turnaround from an old listing or neighbour’s experience.
Know what this does not resolve
A sanitary-drain review is not a foundation assessment, a waterproofing design or a guarantee against future water entry. Use the wet-basement guide for the wider moisture questions, and ask an inspector to identify which separate expertise is appropriate.
Your purchase summary should say what was inspected, what was not, what was reported and what remains undecided. Bring significant findings to your REALTOR® and lawyer before making contractual decisions. No inspection result should be converted into a promise that an older home is problem-free.
Camera-review scope checklist
Use a separate copy for each property. Write “unknown” where you need evidence. You can print this page or save it as a PDF using your browser’s print menu; no account or submission is needed.
| Confirm before booking | Provider’s answer | Follow-up |
|---|---|---|
| Reason for the review | ||
| Exact drain segment | ||
| Permission and access point | ||
| Scope and exclusions | ||
| Report and footage deliverables | ||
| Uninspected portions | ||
| Repair/restoration scope if proposed | ||
| City process to verify |
Who can help with this decision?
The inspector or drainage provider defines and interprets the review. City staff explain municipal processes; Zach coordinates transaction questions and authorized access with the relevant parties.
Sources and verification
Source check: September 8, 2026. Use the responsible authority’s current instructions for the exact property. The worksheet is an original planning aid, not an official form or a professional assessment.
Your next step
Discuss the property and your reason for considering a camera review with Zach. The right next step is a coordinated scope and access plan, not an assumption that every inspection includes it.
Organize older-home due diligenceGeneral real estate information, not legal, mortgage, appraisal, insurance, inspection, engineering, electrical, plumbing, public-health or construction advice. Confirm material facts with qualified professionals. A worksheet does not establish a home’s safety, approvals, value or suitability.