Drains & sewer
Sewer camera inspection
A sewer camera inspection sends a waterproof camera through the line to show its condition on video. It finds roots, cracks, offsets, sags and blockages and records how far each one is from the house. It is the basis for any honest sewer repair quote and a sensible step before buying an older home.
- Emergency plumbing help
- Licensed local plumbers
- Price confirmed before work
Without a camera, a sewer diagnosis is a guess based on symptoms. With one, you and the plumber look at the same picture. The camera head carries a transmitter, so a locator above ground can mark where a defect sits and how deep it is.
Inspections are useful after a backup, before a repair, and before closing on a house built before about 1980, when clay, cast iron and fiber pipe were common. A general home inspection does not include the sewer line.
Sewer Camera Inspection at a glance
- Shows
- Roots, cracks, offsets, sags, buildup
- Output
- Video with distance to each defect
- Good timing
- After a backup, before repair, before buying
- Access
- Cleanout, roof vent or a pulled toilet
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What are the signs you need a plumber?
- Recurring main-line clogs
- You are buying a home with mature trees or older pipe
- A repair quote given without footage
- Slow drains with no clear cause
- Sewer smell outdoors
What does the plumber do?
- 1
Access the line
The camera enters through a cleanout or, if there is none, another access point.
- 2
Record the run
The plumber films from the house to the main and notes the distance of each finding.
- 3
Locate from above
Problem spots are marked on the ground with their depth.
- 4
Review together
You watch the footage and get a plain description of what needs attention and what doesn't.
What affects the cost of sewer camera inspection?
It depends on the job, and a plumbing company can only give a firm price after seeing it. Prices also vary by region and by time of day. These are the factors that move a quote up or down. Ask for the price in writing before work begins.
- Whether a cleanout is available
- Length of the line
- Whether the line must be cleared before the camera can pass
- Locating and a written report for a real estate transaction
What can you do yourself, and when should you call a plumber?
Safe to try
- Find the cleanout cap outside or in the basement before the visit
- Ask for the video file, not only a verbal summary
Call a plumber when
- Don't open a cleanout cap while the line is backed up; it can release sewage
Sewer Camera Inspection questions
Do I need a sewer inspection before buying a house?
It is strongly worth it for homes built before about 1980 or lots with large trees. Sewer replacement is one of the costliest repairs a house can need, and a standard home inspection does not look at the line.
What can a sewer camera not see?
It cannot see through standing water or heavy sludge, and it cannot confirm a leak in the soil outside the pipe. Lines sometimes need to be cleaned before a clear inspection is possible.
Can I keep the video?
Ask for it. Footage with distance markers lets you compare quotes from different companies on the same facts.
What is a sewer camera inspection?
It is a video inspection of the inside of a drain or sewer line, made by pushing a waterproof camera on a flexible cable through the pipe. The footage shows the pipe material and any roots, cracks, sags or blockages.
How long does a sewer camera inspection take?
Usually 30 to 60 minutes for a house, longer if the line has to be cleared first or defects need to be located and marked above ground.
Is a sewer scope included in a home inspection?
No. A standard home inspection covers visible plumbing only. A sewer scope is a separate service that the buyer orders, and it is worth doing before the inspection period ends.
How often should a sewer line be inspected?
Inspect it when buying a house, after a main-line backup and before any sewer repair. Homes with clay or cast iron pipe and large trees benefit from a check every few years.
Where we connect homeowners with plumbers
Sewer Camera Inspection requests are taken from across the United States. Local conditions change the work, so start with your city or find your state.
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Guides on this topic
Sewer line repair vs. replacement: how to decide
When a spot repair or lining makes sense, when the whole sewer line should be replaced and how a camera inspection drives the decision.
Read the guideWhy does my drain keep clogging?
Recurring clogs have a cause: buildup left behind, a venting problem or a defect in the pipe. Learn how to tell which, and when cleaning is not enough.
Read the guideSigns of a sewer line blockage
Several slow drains, gurgling toilets and water backing up at the lowest fixture point to a blocked sewer line. Learn the signs and the next steps.
Read the guide
Need a plumber for this?
Call and tell us what's going on. Calling is free, and the plumber confirms the price before any work starts.