Sewer Line Repair
Sewer camera inspection
A sewer camera inspection sends a waterproof video camera through the line from a cleanout to show its condition: roots, cracks, sags, offset joints, grease and the pipe material. It is the standard way to decide between cleaning, a spot repair and replacement, and to check a sewer before buying an older home.
- Independent licensed local plumbers
- The plumber gives you a price before work starts
- Free referral, no obligation
The camera sits on a flexible push rod and records as it travels toward the street. A transmitter in the camera head lets the plumber stand above it with a locator and mark where a defect is and how deep, which matters when a repair quote depends on digging in one exact spot.
An inspection answers a narrower question than people expect. It shows the inside surface of the pipe, so it finds blockages and structural defects reliably. It does not prove a pipe is watertight; a line that looks intact can still leak at a joint, which is what a hydrostatic or pressure test is for.
When you need sewer camera inspection
- The main line has clogged more than once in a year or two
- You are buying a home with a sewer line older than about 40 years, or with large trees along its route
- A plumber has recommended replacing or lining the sewer and you want to see why
- Drains are slow throughout the house after the line has just been cleaned
- You are planning an addition, a driveway or landscaping over the sewer route
How it is done and the choices involved
- 1
Clean first, then look
A camera cannot see through standing water or a wall of roots. If the line is blocked, it is usually cleared with a cable or jetter first so the footage shows the pipe rather than the clog.
- 2
Inspect from the right access point
A full-size cleanout gives the best view. Without one, the camera may go in through a roof vent or a pulled toilet, which limits how far it reaches and can add labor.
- 3
Locate and mark defects
For each problem the plumber should give you the distance from the access point and, when it matters, a surface mark and depth from the locator.
- 4
Get the recording
Ask for the video file and a short written summary of pipe material, length inspected and defects found. You can then get repair quotes from more than one company on the same evidence.
What affects the cost of sewer camera inspection
Prices vary by market and job. The pro gives you a price before starting; these factors drive it.
- Whether the line has to be cleaned before it can be inspected
- Cleanout access versus going through a vent or pulling a toilet
- Length of the line and whether the camera can reach the main
- Whether locating, depth marking and a written report are included
- A stand-alone inspection versus one done as part of a cleaning visit
Sewer Camera Inspection FAQ
Is a sewer camera inspection worth it before buying a house?
For an older home it usually is. A general home inspection does not include the buried sewer line, and in many cities the buyer becomes responsible for that line out to the public main. An inspection shows root intrusion, cracks and sags while there is still time to negotiate.
What can a sewer camera not show?
It cannot see outside the pipe, through standing water, or past a full blockage, and it does not prove a joint is watertight. Leaks under a slab are confirmed with a pressure or hydrostatic test, sometimes alongside the camera.
Can I keep the video from a sewer inspection?
Ask before the visit. Most plumbers can save the recording and send it to you. Having your own copy lets you compare repair quotes without paying for a second inspection.
What is a belly in a sewer line?
A belly is a low spot where the pipe has sagged and holds water. Solids settle there and cause repeat clogs. On camera it shows as the lens going underwater and coming back out. A lining cannot fix a belly because the liner follows the shape of the old pipe.
Sources
- Sanitary sewer overflows, US Environmental Protection Agency
Part of sewer line repair
Sewer Camera Inspection is one job within sewer line repair. The main page covers the warning signs, the full process and what you can safely do yourself.
Sewer Line Repair by city
Ownership rules, permits and pipe materials differ from city to city. Local guides:
Somewhere else? Browse plumbing conditions in all 50 states.
Need help with sewer camera inspection?
Call (833) 520-4758 to reach an available local pro.