What Exactly Is a Sewer Camera Inspection and How Does It Work?

Nothing strikes fear into a homeowner’s heart quite like mysterious plumbing problems. You know the ones. Weird gurgling sounds from the basement. Slow drains that get slower each week. Strange smells that come and go without explanation.

These hidden issues lurk beneath your floors and behind your walls, growing worse while you hope they’ll somehow fix themselves. They won’t.

Traditional plumbing diagnosis often meant educated guessing followed by expensive exploratory digging. Plumbers would make their best estimate about where problems might be hiding, then start tearing up your yard or basement floor. Sometimes they got lucky on the first try. Sometimes they didn’t.

A sewer camera inspection changes everything about this process. This technology lets plumbers see exactly what’s happening inside your pipes before they pick up a shovel. The guesswork disappears. The unnecessary digging stops. You get real answers about what’s wrong and exactly where to fix it.

What Is a Sewer Camera Inspection?

Think of it as an X-ray for your pipes, but instead of radiation, it uses a tiny waterproof camera.

A small camera about the size of a golf ball gets attached to a long, flexible cable. This cable can snake through your sewer lines, following every turn and bend while transmitting real-time video back to a monitor.

Professional plumbers recommend these inspections in several situations. Maybe your drains back up repeatedly despite multiple cleanings. Perhaps you’re buying a house and want to know what surprises might be waiting underground. Some homeowners schedule them as preventive maintenance, especially if they live in older neighborhoods with mature trees.

Most modern cameras include distance markers and location tracking. This means the plumber knows exactly how far the camera has traveled and can pinpoint problem areas within a few feet. No more guessing about where to dig.

How Does a Sewer Camera Inspection Work?

The process starts with finding the right access point to your sewer system. Most homes have a cleanout – a capped pipe that provides direct access to the main sewer line. If your house doesn’t have a cleanout, the plumber might remove a toilet or access the line through a floor drain.

The camera gets inserted into the pipe and begins its journey toward the street connection. As it moves through your sewer system, it records everything it encounters. The flexible cable allows the camera to navigate around bends and through tight spaces that would be impossible to reach any other way.

The plumber watches the live video feed while controlling the camera’s movement. They can slow down to examine suspicious areas more closely or speed up through sections that look normal. Most inspections move at a steady pace, but problem areas get extra attention.

The entire process usually takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the length of your sewer line and what problems the camera discovers. The plumber can mark specific locations where problems exist.

Common Issues Found During an Inspection

Root intrusion tops the list of sewer line problems in most areas. Tree roots naturally grow toward water sources, and your sewer line represents a constant supply of moisture. Roots can squeeze through tiny cracks and grow into major blockages over time.

The camera reveals roots in various stages of invasion. Small root tendrils might just be poking through pipe joints, while mature root systems can completely fill pipe sections. Some roots look like hair, others resemble thick ropes snaking through your line.

Pipe cracks develop for multiple reasons. Ground settling, temperature changes, and age all contribute to crack formation. The camera shows whether cracks are minor surface issues or major structural problems that require immediate attention.

Older pipes often show signs of corrosion, especially if they’re made from cast iron or galvanized steel. The camera reveals rust buildup, pitting, and sections where the pipe walls have thinned considerably. Clay pipes might show cracking or separation at joints.

Early detection matters because small problems become big quickly. A tiny crack lets roots in, which create bigger cracks, which let in more roots. The cycle continues until you’re dealing with a complete sewer replacement instead of a simple repair.

The Benefits of Choosing a Camera Inspection

Accuracy eliminates the frustration of multiple repair attempts. Instead of trying different solutions and hoping one works, the camera shows exactly what needs fixing. You’re not paying for unnecessary work or repeat service calls.

Insurance companies sometimes require camera inspections before covering certain types of damage claims. Having recent inspection footage can help support claims or demonstrate that you’ve maintained your property responsibly.

The documentation aspect shouldn’t be overlooked either. Video footage creates a permanent record of your sewer line’s condition at a specific point in time. This information helps track changes over time and can be valuable for warranty claims on repair work.

Getting Your Pipes Inspected

Don’t wait until you’re dealing with sewage backing up into your basement or standing water in your yard. Schedule an inspection while your system is still working, especially if you live in an older home or neighborhood with large trees.

Contact a qualified plumber today to schedule your sewer camera inspection. Your future self will thank you for taking this proactive step.

Frequently Asked Questions