Sewer Camera Inspection Explained

A homeowner guide from Drain Edge Rooter, a licensed plumbing company in Rialto, CA (C-36 #1078977). Open 24/7, call anytime: (909) 927-3194.

A sewer camera inspection uses a waterproof camera on a flexible cable to look inside your drain or sewer line. Instead of guessing why a drain keeps backing up, you and your plumber can see the actual condition of the pipe.

What a camera inspection can find

Tree roots growing into joints.
Cracks, breaks and separated joints.
Sags or bellies where waste and water collect.
Offset pipe sections.
Grease, scale and debris buildup.
The pipe material, such as clay, cast iron, Orangeburg, ABS or PVC.
Collapsed or deformed sections.

When you should get one

Recurring clogs or backups. If the same line keeps clogging, a camera shows the cause.
Before buying a home, especially an older home. A standard home inspection usually does not include the sewer line.
Before choosing a repair. The camera helps decide between cleaning, spot repair, lining and replacement.
After clearing a main line clog, to see what caused it.
Before and after hydro jetting or lining, to check that the pipe is suitable and the work was done.

What happens during the inspection

The plumber locates an access point, usually the sewer cleanout outside the house or a cleanout inside.
The camera is fed through the line while the plumber watches a live screen.
Many systems record video and show the distance from the access point.
A locator can find the camera head from above ground to mark where a problem is and roughly how deep.
The plumber walks you through what they found and the options.

If the line is fully blocked, the plumber may need to clear it first so the camera can pass.

Drain Edge Rooter hydro jetter, sewer camera reel and drain machine set up on a lawn — Sewer camera reel set up on a job alongside a hydro jetter and drain machine.

Why pipe material matters

Older Inland Empire neighborhoods commonly have clay or cast iron sewer laterals, and some homes from roughly the mid-1940s through the 1960s have Orangeburg pipe. The material affects what repairs are possible. Many clay and cast iron lines can be lined with CIPP if they are in suitable condition. Orangeburg pipe cannot be lined or rehabilitated. It has to be dug up and replaced.

Drain Edge Rooter sewer line repair: new pipe joined to an old clay sewer pipe in a trench — An older clay sewer pipe exposed during a repair. Pipe material decides which repairs are possible.

Questions to ask after your inspection

Can I see the video?
Where exactly is the problem and how deep?
Is it on my side of the property line?
What are my options, and what are the trade-offs of each?

Common terms you may hear

Lateral: the sewer line from your house to the city main.
Belly or sag: a low spot where water and waste sit.
Offset: two pipe sections that no longer line up.
Root intrusion: roots growing into the pipe, usually at joints.
Cleanout: an access point to the drain or sewer line.
CIPP: cured-in-place pipe lining, a trenchless repair for suitable pipe.
Spot repair: replacing a single damaged section.

Knowing these terms makes it easier to understand the video and compare options.

Camera inspection when buying a home

If you are buying a home, especially one with mature trees or one built before the 1980s, ask your agent about adding a sewer camera inspection during your inspection period. The sewer lateral is usually the homeowner’s responsibility, and repairs are not something you want to discover after closing.

Ask for the video and a written summary. If the inspection shows roots, offsets, bellies or deformed pipe, you have information to use when deciding how to proceed with the purchase. If the home has Orangeburg pipe, remember that it cannot be lined; it must be dug up and replaced.

When to call a pro

If you have recurring drain problems or are buying a home, schedule a sewer camera inspection. Drain Edge Rooter is open 24/7, so call anytime at (909) 927-3194.

Related services and areas

Related services: Sewer Camera Inspection, Sewer Line Repair, CIPP Sewer Lining. We serve the whole Inland Empire, including plumber in Redlands, plumber in San Bernardino, plumber in North Riverside, plumber in Fontana. See all homeowner plumbing guides.