- Home
- Plumbing Services
- Sewer Camera Inspection
Sewer camera inspection
See Inside Your Sewer Line Before You Spend Money
A waterproof camera on a flexible cable shows roots, cracks, sags and breaks, and where they are, so repairs are based on what is really there.
- Home purchase inspections
- Repeat backups
- Before a repair
- Locating the line
Request a Plumber
Tell us what is going on. We call you back to talk it through and set up a visit. For water running right now, call (734) 228-7852.
No obligation. By sending, you agree we may call, text or e-mail you about this request. Calls may be recorded. Privacy Policy
When to inspect
Good Times for a Sewer Camera Inspection
Before you buy a house
A general home inspection usually doesn’t look inside the sewer lateral. In older neighborhoods, a sewer scope before closing can reveal an expensive problem while you can still negotiate.
After repeat backups
If the main line has been cleaned more than once, the camera shows why it keeps clogging: roots, a belly, a break or buildup.
Before a sewer repair
A recorded inspection shows the problem, its depth and location, so you can compare repair options and quotes on the same facts.
Big trees near the line
Mature trees and old clay or cast iron pipe are a common combination around Ann Arbor. A look now can catch root intrusion early.
Remodeling a basement
Check the drains under the floor before it is finished, when repairs are easier and cheaper.
Finding the line
A locator follows the camera head from above, so the line’s path and depth can be marked before digging.
What the camera finds
Common Sewer Line Problems
- Root intrusion at joints and cracks
- Bellies: low spots where water and waste sit
- Offset or separated joints in clay pipe
- Cracks, scale and corrosion in cast iron
- Collapsed or crushed sections
- Grease buildup narrowing the pipe
You see the video with the plumber, who explains what it shows and what, if anything, needs to be done.
FAQ
Sewer Camera Questions
Do I need a sewer inspection when buying a house?
It isn’t required, but it is worth considering for older homes, homes with big trees near the line and homes that have sat vacant. A standard home inspection usually stops at the floor drain and doesn’t look inside the lateral.
How is the camera put into the line?
Usually through a cleanout, a capped opening on the drain line in the basement or yard. If there is no cleanout, the camera can sometimes go in through a toilet flange or roof vent, or a cleanout can be added.
Will I get a copy of the video?
Ask when you book. A recording with the location and depth of any problem is useful for comparing repair quotes and for real estate negotiations.
Who owns the sewer line between my house and the street?
The building sewer serving your home is generally the owner’s responsibility. Exactly where your responsibility ends and the city’s main begins depends on your community, so check with your city or township public works department.
Can the camera see through a clog?
Not through a full blockage. A blocked line is usually cleared first, then inspected, which is also the best time to see what caused the clog.
Also helpful
Related Plumbing Services
Problems in one part of the plumbing often point to another. These services go hand in hand.
Drain Cleaning
Kitchen, bath, laundry and floor drains cleared, and the cause found so the clog doesn’t come right back.
Learn more →Sewer Line Repair & Replacement
Root-filled, cracked, sagging or collapsed laterals repaired or replaced, with trenchless options where they fit.
Learn more →24/7 in Ann Arbor & Washtenaw County
Know What’s Down There
Book a sewer camera inspection: call (734) 228-7852 or send a request.
Request service
Tell Us What’s Going On
Send a few details and we will call you back to talk it through and set up a visit. We answer 24/7: for water running or sewage backing up right now, call (734) 228-7852.
- 24/7 emergency service, nights, weekends and holidays
- $99 diagnostic fee, applied to the repair
- Financing: 25 months same as cash, on approved credit
- The price explained before work starts
- Call(734) 228-7852
- Service areaAnn Arbor & Washtenaw County
- LicensingMichigan plumbing license #A111705
Request a Plumber
Tell us what is going on. We call you back to talk it through and set up a visit. For water running right now, call (734) 228-7852.
No obligation. By sending, you agree we may call, text or e-mail you about this request. Calls may be recorded. Privacy Policy