Introduction – Why Test a Sewer Camera?

I recently got my hands on a small sewer camera from Sanyipace, and it turned out to be pretty handy. The kit includes instructions, USB charging cords, and two protective balls for the lens—one small, one large—so the camera doesn’t scrape against the pipe walls.

The whole unit packs into a compact box with a secure latch. The head charges from the side, and there’s a power button on the bottom. Once switched on, it’s ready to go.

First Test – Sending the Camera Down the Line

I opened up a clean-out and ran the drain inspection camera through the pipe. The video feed came up right away, showing the inside of the PVC. With water running, you could clearly see the flow. The camera made it through the first 90-degree bend and toward the main sewer line.

The picture stayed sharp. At one point, it caught on the edge of what looked like a hole in the pipe. Water pushed past, but the camera kept snagging, which made it tricky to move forward. Even so, it revealed that the pipe was old and possibly damaged.

Trying Alternate Entry Points

I also tested it from the bathtub drain. The plumbing camera went in a short way, but some badly modified piping stopped it. Someone had swapped out a section of galvanized pipe with PVC and used a saddle connection. The sharp angle was too tight for the camera to pass.

Floor Drain Inspection

Next, I dropped the camera into a floor drain. It slid into the P-trap, but the bottom was blown out. Gravel was visible below, showing where water had been leaking away. That explained the drainage problem right there.

• 👉 For more details on pipe inspection gear, check this overview of professional sewer cameras.

Other Uses for This Drain Camera

This plumbing inspection camera isn’t just for drains. You can run it down dryer vents (with the larger protective ball) to check for lint or nests. I wouldn’t recommend it for tight sink traps—it’s not flexible enough for sharp turns—but for main lines and clean-outs, it works well.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the Sanyipace sewer camera gave me clear footage and helped confirm real issues like a broken P-trap and pipe wear. It won’t make every bend, but it’s a solid tool to have around for quick checks.