A small camera on a flexible cable is fed through a cleanout or other access point and runs through the line. It shows roots, cracks, offset joints, sags, buildup and collapses, and it helps locate the problem along the line.
An inspection is most useful when a problem keeps returning, when you are deciding between cleaning, spot repair and replacement, or when you are buying a home and want to know the condition of the sewer line. It is not usually needed for a first-time clog in a single sink.
A camera shows the condition of the pipe on the day it is inspected. It cannot pass through a fully blocked line, so the line sometimes has to be cleared first.
Signs you may need sewer camera inspection
- Backups that keep returning
- Cleaning that helps for only a short time
- A planned purchase of an older home
- Suspected roots or a collapsed section
- Sewage odors with no obvious source
- After a repair, to confirm the line is sound
Common causes
Roots
A camera shows how far roots extend and where they enter.
Cracks and breaks
Cracks, fractures and missing pipe sections are visible.
Offset or separated joints
The camera shows where two pipe sections no longer line up.
Sags and bellies
Standing water in the line points to a low spot.
Buildup and scale
Grease and mineral deposits narrow the pipe.
Collapse
The camera shows where the line is crushed or blocked.
When we use a camera
Repeat backup diagnosis
When a drain or main line keeps blocking, a camera shows the cause so the fix is aimed at it.
Pre-purchase line check
Before buying an older home, a camera can show the condition of the sewer line, which is hidden underground.
Root intrusion assessment
A camera shows how extensive the roots are and where they get in.
Before choosing repair or replacement
The decision should rest on what the pipe actually looks like.
After a repair or heavy cleaning
A camera can confirm the line is in good condition.
Locating the problem
When damage is somewhere along a long run, the camera helps place it.
What you need to do before we arrive
Find the cleanout
A cleanout is the usual way to put the camera in the line.
Clear a path to it
Move vehicles, planters and items away from the cleanout.
Note the symptoms
Which drains, how often and when it started.
Know the history
Earlier repairs, tree removal and the age of the home.
If you are buying a home
Ask for access to the cleanout and tell us the property address when you call.
How sewer camera inspection works in Buda, TX
Find access
We locate a cleanout or other access to the line.
Run the camera
We inspect the line and note what we see.
Review the findings
We go over what the camera showed and what it means.
Recommend next steps
Nothing needed, cleaning, repair or replacement, with the reasons.
What to avoid, and how to prevent repeats
Avoid
- Paying for a repair or replacement without seeing the camera findings.
- Skipping an inspection on an older home when the line has caused trouble.
- Expecting a camera to see through a fully blocked line.
- Assuming a camera inspection fixes the problem. It diagnoses it.
To prevent repeats
- Have older lines inspected before they cause trouble.
- Inspect after a repeat backup, not only after a full one.
- Keep notes on what the camera found so future work can compare.
What sewer camera inspection typically costs
| Job | Typical range | Real cost |
|---|---|---|
| Camera inspection of a residential line | $200 - $500 | Call for an estimate |
| Inspection combined with cleaning | Varies | Call for an estimate |
| Locating a problem along a long run | Varies | Call for an estimate |
These ranges are general guides only and are not a quote. The actual cost depends on the pipe, the access and the cause, so call for an estimate.
What changes the price
- Length of the line to inspect
- Access: a cleanout or another opening
- Whether the line needs clearing first
- Whether locating the problem is needed