CCTV Drain Inspections in Wellington: Q&A With Sanjay, Our Drain Lead
Blocked drains, slow sinks, or strange smells? You’re not alone – Wellington homes and businesses deal with these issues daily thanks to tree roots, ageing pipes and shifting ground.
To help explain what’s really happening underground, we spoke with Sanjay, HydroVac Wellington’s Drain Lead and CCTV specialist. With nearly a decade of experience in CCTV drain inspection, flushing and unblocking across the Wellington region, he’s seen everything your pipes can throw at him.
Q. How long have you worked in drainage and CCTV?
A. I’ve been in the drainage and CCTV industry for around nine years, working across residential blockages, commercial sites and large-scale CCTV inspections in Wellington.
Q. What causes most blocked drains in Wellington?
A. The biggest culprits are:
- Tree roots (very common in older Wellington suburbs with clay pipes)
- Grease and fat build-up
- Wipes and sanitary products
- Collapsed or misaligned pipes due to age or ground movement
These issues are behind many of the blocked drains we attend in Wellington.
Q. What are early warning signs?
A. If you notice any of these, it’s time to call a professional (preferably us!) for drain unblocking or a CCTV check:
- Slow-draining sinks or toilets
- Gurgling sounds
- Bad smells coming from drains
- Water backing up during heavy rain
Q. Flushing vs jetting vs unblocking – what’s the difference?
A. Good question!
- Drain Flushing (Wellington): Routine maintenance to clear light build-up before it becomes a full blockage.
- Drain Jetting (Wellington):High-pressure water jets that cut through grease, roots and stubborn debris.
- Drain Unblocking (Wellington):A reactive service when water is already backing up.
HydroVac includes free CCTV after every unblock so you know the cause and condition of your pipes.
Q. And CCTV is a camera that moves through your pipes?
A. Correct. For every unblock we do, we use a push CCTV camera – this is included in the service, not an added cost. It allows us to clearly show you the condition of your pipes and confirm whether the blockage is fully cleared. If there’s a structural issue like a collapsed section, we can identify it straight away.
We mainly use a push camera for residential work. For larger systems like stormwater culverts, subdivisions, or longer pipelines, we have a tractor camera that drives itself and can inspect up to 200 metres.
An inspection takes 30 minutes to an hour, depending on access and the length of the pipe. We feed the camera into the pipe and monitor the live footage on a screen, checking for any cracks, blockages, or structural issues. Afterwards, we can provide you with video footage and a full report if needed.
CCTV is a quick, non-invasive way to understand the health of your drains.
Q. Why avoid DIY fixes like plungers or chemicals?
A. DIY solutions might shift a blockage, but they don’t show the underlying problem.
Chemical unblockers can even damage your pipes over time.
A CCTV inspection gives you a precise diagnosis so the issue doesn’t come back – it might be fat build-up to collapsed pipes or root intrusion. Once we know, we can fix as a long-term solution!
Q. The strangest things found in Wellington drains?
A. The weird and wonderful, including:
- Possums living inside stormwater lines
- Kids’ toys wedged deep in bends
- Pipes full of tree roots that look like a jungle
- And the occasional rat
Q. How often should drains be checked or flushed?
A. It depends on usage and what kind of materials are going down your drains. For Wellington properties:
- Homes: every 12–18 months
- Commercial kitchens, schools, industrial sites: every 6–12 months
We highly recommend scheduled CCTV checks and flushing for places with high water use like hospitality businesses, schools, and industrial or manufacturing sites. In these places, a blockage can disrupt operations and become a health and safety issue. Regular checks and flushing help avoid emergencies and extend the life of your system.
Need CCTV drain inspection or unblocking in Wellington?
HydroVac Wellington offers:
- CCTV drain inspections
- Drain unblocking
- Drain flushing and jetting
- Scheduled maintenance
If you’re dealing with slow drains, bad smells, or repeat blockages, we’re here to help.
Contact HydroVac Wellington today – your local team for fast, reliable drainage support.