Sewer Camera Inspection
A sewer camera inspection (also called a drain camera inspection or sewer scope) uses a waterproof video camera mounted on a flexible cable fed through a cleanout or drain opening into the sewer lateral or main line. The camera transmits live footage to a screen above ground, allowing a plumber to see exactly what's inside the pipe without excavating.
What a sewer camera reveals:
- Root intrusions — tree and shrub roots entering through joints or cracks
- Pipe cracks, fractures, and collapses
- Offset joints (pipe segments shifted out of alignment)
- Grease and debris accumulation
- Bellied pipe (pipe that has sagged, creating a low spot where solids collect)
- Scale buildup and corrosion
- The material the pipe is made of (clay tile, cast iron, PVC, etc.)
When to get a sewer camera inspection:
- Before buying a home — sewer scope is a standard part of due diligence; a failed lateral can cost $4,000–$15,000 to replace
- Before authorizing hydro jetting or trenchless repair — confirms the pipe can withstand the work
- When experiencing recurring clogs that can't be explained by snaking
- When you hear gurgling from multiple drains simultaneously
- Any home over 40 years old with no known lateral history
Locating capability: professional sewer cameras include a sonde (a radio transmitter) that allows a technician above ground to locate the camera position with a receiver — pinpointing exactly where a problem is located and how deep, without guesswork excavation.
Cost: $150–$350 for a residential sewer camera inspection. Many plumbers include it at no charge when hydro jetting or preparing a trenchless repair quote.