How to Perform a Sewer Camera Inspection

Why this matters

Sewer camera inspection is the highest-margin diagnostic service in plumbing. Equipment is a sizable up-front investment, but the customer pays a modest flat fee for a single inspection. Identifies the root cause that can drive repair scope worth many multiples of that inspection fee. Real-estate purchase inspections + repeat-clog diagnostics drive demand year-round.

Equipment

Push cable + camera head:

• Self-leveling color camera (Ridgid SeeSnake, Spartan TraceMaster, Milwaukee Cable Crawler)
• 100-200 ft push cable
• LED ring around camera for illumination
• Sonde transmitter at camera (for location)

Monitor + recorder:

• Wi-Fi or wired display
• SD card or USB recording
• DVR functionality

Sonde locator + receiver:

• 512 Hz or 33 kHz transmitter signal
• Surface receiver locates camera position underground
• Shows depth (0-15 ft typically)

Accessories:

• Camera head guides for navigating 90-degree fittings
• Tank for cable management
• Gas-resistant gloves
• PPE for entering customer crawl

When to use

Customer-paid diagnostic:

• Recurring drain clogs (3+ in a year)
• Slow drain not resolved by snake
• Sewage smell with no clear source
• Real-estate pre-purchase inspection
• After major plumbing event (root intrusion, broken pipe suspected)
• Property had sewer-related insurance claim

Post-repair verification:

• Confirms relining or replacement completed correctly
• Customer documentation

Pre-quote sales:

• Before quoting expensive trenchless or replace work
• Confirms scope + identifies access points

Procedure

Step 1: Pre-arrival

1. Locate cleanout access (typically near foundation, 2-4 ft outside)
2. Verify access; confirm customer authorization
3. Bring cleanout adapter (some have non-standard fittings)
4. Confirm power source (most cameras battery + AC)

Step 2: Site setup

1. Tarps + drop cloths in work area
2. Removal of cleanout cap (often plumber putty or threaded; may have residue)
3. Towels ready for spills
4. Camera setup on monitor cart

Step 3: Pre-flush

1. Run water from highest-floor fixture (toilet flush or laundry tub)
2. Flush 1-2 minutes
3. Verifies line is flowing + clears loose debris
4. Reduces risk of camera clogging during inspection

Step 4: Insert + push

1. Lubricate camera head + cable
2. Insert into cleanout slowly
3. Push cable steadily; watch monitor
4. Note features:

• Joints at each pipe section (4 ft typically PVC)
• Direction changes (45s + 90s)
• Inspection ports
• Branch connections

Step 5: Document findings

Common issues + what they look like:

• Roots: hairy/fibrous mass at joints or cracks. Photo + measure depth via sonde
• Cracks: visible split in pipe wall
• Belly/sag: water standing in low spot
• Offset joint: pipe sections misaligned, step visible
• Collapse: pipe broken or crushed
• Scale buildup: white/gray accumulation on walls
• Grease: cream/yellow soft deposit
• Foreign objects: toys, sanitary, jewelry, root fragments

Document each finding:

• Photo or video screenshot
• Distance from cleanout
• Depth (from sonde)
• Severity

Step 6: Locate (when issue found)

1. Mark camera position with sonde
2. Surface locator finds exact point underground
3. Mark with spray paint or stake
4. Measure depth
5. Photograph the marker + take field notes

Step 7: Recover camera

1. Pull cable back slowly
2. Watch for kinks or stuck spots
3. Clean cable as it retracts
4. Inspect camera head for damage
5. Replace cleanout cap

Step 8: Report + recommendation

1. Save video file
2. Compile written report with photos + findings
3. Map locations on a sketch or photo of property
4. Recommend scope: spot repair, trenchless, replace
5. Quote each option
6. Customer signs report receipt

Repair recommendations (output of inspection)

Roots in cleanouts:

• Augering removes; recurs in 6-18 months
• Chemical (RootX): kills regrowth
• Tree removal if access tree
• Reline section (epoxy CIPP): moderate cost per section
• Full replacement: several times the cost of a section reline, scaling with run length

Cracked or offset pipe:

• Spot repair (excavate + replace section): the baseline option
• Trenchless replacement (pipe bursting): roughly double a spot repair
• Full trench replacement: several times a spot repair, the most invasive + costly option

Sag/belly:

• Cannot reline (will re-belly)
• Spot replace + restore grade
• Cost similar to crack repair

Collapse:

• Major scope; full section or main replacement
• The most expensive repair tier by far, scaling steeply with depth + distance

Trenchless options

CIPP (Cured-In-Place Pipe / epoxy reline):

• Inverted liner saturated with epoxy
• Cures in place under steam or UV
• 50+ year life
• Works for pipes 4-12" diameter
• Priced per spot repair OR per linear ft for whole runs

Pipe bursting:

• New pipe pulled through old via bursting head
• Old pipe shattered, replaced
• Same-day completion typical
• Priced per linear ft, comparable to or somewhat above CIPP's linear-ft rate

Pull-in-place liner:

• Newer technique for shorter spans
• Slightly different curing

For most spot defects: CIPP. For long runs of failing pipe: bursting.

Common pitfalls

• No cleanout access: have to install one first (a meaningful added cost)
• Pipe full of debris: snake first, then camera
• Wrong camera size: head too big for pipe diameter (sticks)
• Skipping documentation: customer can't verify what you found
• No locating: customer doesn't know WHERE the problem is
• Selling repair without showing video: customer doubts the diagnosis
• Forgetting to clean equipment: cross-contamination, equipment wear

Customer talking points

When showing findings:

1. "Camera shows a [finding] at [X feet] from your cleanout"
2. "Depth at that point is [Y feet]"
3. "This is causing [the recurring clogs / slow drains / odor]"
4. "Options: temporary clear (snake), cure-in-place liner, or replace section"
5. "Costs: $X / $Y / $Z respectively"
6. "Recommendation: [option] because [reason]"

Show the video on the monitor; the visual evidence sells the recommendation.

Real estate inspection scope

Pre-purchase customers want:

• Written report
• Video file delivered (USB or cloud link)
• Photographs of any defects
• Recommended repair scope + estimated cost
• Severity rating (critical, important, minor)

This documentation drives buyer-seller negotiation. Inspections that customer can SHARE with their realtor + buyer / seller lawyer earn 3-5 referrals each.

Equipment maintenance

Cameras + cables need care:

• Cable washed + dried after each job
• Camera head inspected for crack, fog, lens damage
• Light ring tested
• Battery charged
• Software/firmware updated periodically

Camera life: 3-7 years typical with regular use. Replacement is the same significant equipment investment as the original purchase.

References

• ASTM F1216 + F1743 (CIPP liner standards)
• IPC International Plumbing Code (sewer-line minimums)
• Equipment manufacturer manuals (Ridgid, Spartan, Milwaukee)
• ASSE 6000 series (cross-connection control + plumbing standards)
• Manuall internal: Clear a Main Sewer Line, Annual Whole-Home Plumbing Inspection