There is no single schedule that suits every home — inspection frequency should match the age, material and history of your drains.
Modern PVC drains (roughly mid-1980s onwards), no problem history: routine inspections are generally unnecessary. PVC is jointed with solvent welds or rubber rings that resist root entry, and a trouble-free system can be left alone. Inspect when symptoms appear, before buying, or before building or landscaping over drain lines.
Earthenware (clay) drains — most pre-1980s Brisbane homes: these systems have joints every 600mm or so, and decades of ground movement. Even if currently trouble-free, a camera inspection every two to three years catches root intrusion and joint displacement early, when a patch fixes what would later need a full reline or dig-up.
Drains with known root intrusion being managed by cutting: the inspection schedule is effectively set by regrowth — typically every six to eighteen months depending on the tree and the season. The camera confirms whether regrowth is on schedule or the entry points are worsening.
Always inspect regardless of age:
- Before purchasing a property
- Before extensions, pools, driveways or significant landscaping near drain lines
- After any recurring blockage
- After major repairs, to verify the work
Think of it like a termite inspection: on the right property, a periodic look at what you cannot see is cheap compared to what it prevents.