Inspect
We use RIDGID sewer camera equipment to examine the line for blockages, roots, damage, offsets, standing water, and other visible conditions.
Residential sewer and drain service
Sewer Camera Inspection and Cleaning for Recurring Drainage Problems
Clear what can be cleared, and see what the line looks like. Sewer cleaning removes buildup that restricts flow. A camera inspection shows the visible inside of the line. A camera may be used before cleaning, after cleaning, or both, depending on the line.
We provide cleaning, camera diagnostics, and line locating only. We do not provide sewer repair, replacement, lining, excavation, or pipe installation.
- Residential drain and sewer lines
- Cleaning, camera diagnostics, and line locating
- No repair or replacement work offered
Service
Sewer Cleaning & Camera Inspection
Request cleaning and camera inspection
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The short answer
What are sewer cleaning and camera inspection?
Sewer cleaning removes grease, roots, deposits, debris, and other material that restricts flow in an accessible sewer line. A sewer camera inspection, sometimes called a sewer scope, shows the visible inside of that line. They are separate services that can be combined. Cleaning can make the pipe easier to see, and a camera can show what the cleaning achieved. Neither one repairs the pipe.
A camera may be used before cleaning, after cleaning, or both, when the line can be viewed. What a visit includes depends on the line, the entry point, and the scope of work.
This page covers accessible private-property residential sewer and drain lines, not public sewer mains.
Signs to look into
Signs a combined visit may be worth asking about
These signs can be associated with a restriction or a pipe condition. They do not prove a cause. If only one fixture is affected, drain cleaning may be the better fit. If the cause is unclear, a camera inspection alone may be a better starting point.
Several fixtures draining slowly at once
When more than one fixture is slow at the same time, the restriction may be farther downstream than a single fixture’s drain.
Gurgling from drains or toilets
Gurgling can accompany restricted flow. It can also come from a venting issue, so it does not point to one cause on its own.
Clogs that keep coming back
A clog that returns after clearing may mean buildup, roots, or debris remain, or that a pipe condition is involved. Cleaning followed by a camera look can help show which.
Water rising in a floor drain, tub, or toilet
This can indicate a blockage in the sewer line. If sewage is actively backing up into your home, contact us to discuss the situation.
Sewage-like odor near a drain or cleanout
Persistent odors can be associated with a drainage or sewer-line problem. The source should be assessed rather than assumed.
Water at a cleanout
Water standing at or rising to a cleanout can indicate a restriction in the line. It does not show where the restriction is.
Evidence and its limits
What a camera may show, and what it cannot confirm
Depending on the line condition and what the camera can reach and see, an inspection may document the conditions below. Water level, debris, bends, lighting, and the technician’s interpretation all affect what can be seen and how it is described.
A camera may document
- Roots visible inside the pipe
- Grease, scale, sediment, or other visible buildup
- Obstructions such as wipes or debris
- Cracks and fractures
- Offset or separated joints
- Visible corrosion or surface damage on the inside of the pipe
- Standing water or a visible low area
- Connections where other lines join the pipe, when they can be seen
- Collapse, when the camera can reach it
It does not by itself show
- Anything below the waterline
- Pipe in sections the camera did not reach or could not view. From one access point, an untraversed section is not fully inspected.
- The soil around the pipe, voids outside the pipe wall, or damage on the outside of the pipe
- Pipe wall thickness or structural capacity
- Pipe slope. A camera may show standing water, but it does not measure slope.
- How far tree roots extend outside the pipe
- Every leak. A camera can record visible water entering the pipe, not where water outside it comes from.
A line that flows again, or a video that looks clear, is not proof that the whole line or the ground around it is in good condition. Cleaning and structural condition are separate questions.
Line locating is a separate service. When it is in the scope of work and the equipment supports it, a camera sonde and a compatible receiver can help estimate the surface position of a point in the line. A locate is approximate. It is not a survey, utility clearance, or an exact depth. Sewer line locating
What happens on the day
How a cleaning and camera visit works
The steps below describe a typical visit. How long it takes depends on line length, access, bends, debris, standing water, and how much cleaning the line needs.
Step 1: Agree on the entry point
The technician identifies an accessible entry point, commonly a cleanout.
Step 2: Assess the line
The entry point, pipe size, reported symptoms, and what equipment can be used are considered.
Step 3: View the line, when it can be viewed
A camera may show what is in the line before cleaning and help choose the method. If the line is blocked and full of water, the camera cannot see under the water, and cleaning may have to come first. Our equipment includes the SeeSnake CS12x and the SeeSnake Standard Camera Reel with TruSense.
Step 4: Clean
Hydraulic or mechanical equipment is used to address the restriction, in as many passes as the line calls for.
Step 5: View again and note what could not be seen
A camera may be used again to see what the cleaning achieved and to note any part of the line it could not reach. When a camera is used, you receive the inspection video and written findings.
Preparing for your visit
- The most common entry point is a cleanout. Whether one exists, and where, depends on your property’s plumbing layout. Ask what applies to yours.
- Make sure the technician can safely reach the agreed entry point and that the work area is clear.
- Tell us what you have noticed, whether the line has been cleared before, and whether the visit relates to a home purchase or an inspection period.
Order of work
Does the camera or the cleaning come first?
There is no single required order. A camera first can show what is in the line and help choose the method. Cleaning first may be needed when the line is blocked or full of water, because a camera cannot see under water. A camera after cleaning can show what the cleaning achieved.
Providers differ, so ask which order applies to your visit.
When each may come first
- Camera first: the cause is unknown, or the problem keeps returning.
- Cleaning first: the line is blocked or full of water, or buildup hides the pipe.
- Both in one visit: you want the line cleared and then looked at again.
- Camera only: flow is fine and you want the visible condition of the line documented.
- Cleaning only: a known restriction with no question about the pipe.
Independent sewer inspection & second opinions
Before You Approve an Expensive Sewer Repair, Get an Opinion With Nothing to Sell
A sewer backup or major repair recommendation can make a costly decision feel urgent. The Sewer Pros inspects and documents the condition inside your sewer line so you can understand what is actually happening before you approve cleaning, excavation, lining, or replacement.
Because we do not perform sewer repairs or replacements, we do not profit from selling you the work. Our role is to inspect and document visible conditions, explain what we found in plain language, and give you an honest opinion you can use to make the next decision.
Get an Independent Second Opinion
Already received a repair recommendation? Bring us in for an independent second opinion before you sign off on major work.
Document
We inspect and document visible conditions inside the line, so you are not forced to rely only on a verbal repair recommendation.
Decide
Use the findings to determine whether the issue calls for cleaning, monitoring, a repair estimate, or another qualified opinion, without pressure to buy a repair from us.
Do not approve a major sewer repair based only on a sales-driven recommendation. The Sewer Pros does not repair or replace sewer lines, by design, so we have no repair contract to sell. Get a documented second opinion before you approve the expense.
Which service fits
Cleaning and camera inspection compared with related services
| Service | Purpose | May fit when |
|---|---|---|
| Sewer Cleaning & Camera Inspection (this page) | Addresses an appropriate restriction and reviews visible line conditions | A problem keeps returning, or several fixtures are affected |
| Sewer cleaning | Removes buildup and obstructions that restrict flow in an accessible sewer line | Flow is restricted by grease, roots, debris, or similar material |
| Hydro jetting | Uses pressurized water for suitable cleaning applications | More substantial buildup or recurring drainage issues, when the line is a suitable candidate |
| Sewer camera inspection | Shows visible conditions inside an accessible line. It does not clear a restriction. | The cause or condition of the line is unclear |
| Drain cleaning | Restores drainage at affected fixtures and branch lines | Clogs or slow drains at one fixture |
| Sewer line locating | Estimates the path of an underground line. A locate is approximate. | You need to know where the line runs |
| Recurring sewer backup diagnosis | Investigates why a line keeps backing up | A backup returns after clearing |
Before you book
What you receive, and what to ask about
When a camera is used, you receive the inspection video and written findings. Other details can vary by appointment, so ask before you book, and keep what you receive.
Video of the line
When a camera is used, the inspection video is included. Keep your copy.
Written findings
Written findings are included. Ask that they note any part of the line the camera could not reach, and why.
Entry point and location
Ask which entry point was used and where along the line conditions were seen.
The cleaning record
Ask what method was used and whether a camera review followed the cleaning.
Coding and locating
Ask whether the findings use a standardized coding system, and whether locating is part of the visit.
Keep what you receive
The video and written findings are useful as a later reference. If someone recommends costly work, you can ask another company to review the video.
A camera finding is a visible observation. It is not a repair recommendation, and it does not by itself set a scope of work.
A report can describe a condition without using a standardized coding system. Standardized coding exists, and it is not used on every inspection.
Who this is for
Residential property owners and buyers who want a line cleaned and looked at, rather than only one or the other.
Homeowners
A slow or recurring drainage problem, or a line you want looked at after it has been cleared.
Home buyers
A sewer line can be hard to judge from the surface. A camera can document visible conditions in the accessible line, and cleaning may be needed first for the camera to see. Local requirements and timelines vary.
Home buyer sewer inspections
Service areas
Cleaning and camera inspection service areas
Choose your market for local service details and scheduling options.
St. Louis, MO
Residential sewer cleaning and camera inspection across the St. Louis area.
San Diego, CA
Residential sewer cleaning and camera inspection in the San Diego area.
Las Vegas, NV
Residential sewer cleaning and camera inspection across the Las Vegas Valley.
What our customers say
4.9 out of 5from 595 Google reviews · as of
Questions
Cleaning and camera inspection questions
The basics
What are sewer cleaning and camera inspection?
Sewer cleaning removes buildup and obstructions that restrict flow in a sewer line. A camera inspection shows the visible inside of an accessible line. They are separate services that can be combined in one visit. Neither one repairs the pipe.
What does a sewer camera inspection show?
It may show roots, buildup, obstructions, cracks, offset or separated joints, standing water, and visible corrosion inside the pipe, when they can be seen in the part of the line the camera reaches. It does not show wall thickness, the soil around the pipe, or anything below the waterline.
Does the camera or the cleaning come first?
There is no single required order. A camera may be used before cleaning, after cleaning, or both. If a line is blocked and full of water, a camera cannot see under the water, so cleaning may need to come first. Ask which order applies to your visit.
What is the difference between hydro jetting and cable cleaning?
Hydro jetting is hydraulic cleaning: pressurized water through a hose and nozzle. Cable cleaning, often called snaking, is mechanical: a rotating or advancing cable with a tool works on an obstruction. Which is appropriate depends on the line, its condition, and what is in it.
Limits and risks
Does a clear video mean my line is healthy?
No. A camera records only what is visible in the part of the line it reaches. A clear video does not show wall thickness, the soil around the pipe, how much service life the pipe has left, or sections the camera did not view.
Can a camera find a leak?
Sometimes a camera can record water visibly entering the pipe. It cannot show every leak, and it cannot show where water outside the pipe comes from. A clear video is not proof that no leak exists.
Can a camera tell whether my pipe is structurally sound?
Not by itself. A camera can document visible structural conditions such as cracks, offsets, or collapse. It does not measure wall thickness or structural capacity. Structural evaluation is outside our cleaning and diagnostic scope.
Can a camera find roots, cracks, or a collapsed pipe?
It may, when they are visible and the camera can reach them. A camera can show roots inside the pipe but not how far they extend outside it. A complete collapse can stop the camera from going further.
What if the camera cannot get past a blockage?
The part of the line the camera did not reach is unconfirmed. Where loose debris is the limit, cleaning and a repeat pass may improve the view. A second access point may help. If the camera still cannot pass, the findings should say what was not viewed.
Does hydro jetting damage pipes?
It depends on the line. Defects, sags, heavy debris, and limited drainage capacity can raise the risk of a backup during high-pressure cleaning, and some tools can score certain pipe. The method and equipment are matched to the line, and no method is suitable for every pipe or blockage.
Access, time, and records
What access point do you use, and can you inspect without an outside cleanout?
Most often a cleanout, where one is accessible. Whether one exists, and where it is, depends on your property’s plumbing layout. Other entry points may be possible depending on the property and the equipment. Ask what applies to your property before you book.
Do I get a copy of the video?
Yes. When a camera is used, the inspection video is included, and you can keep it as a reference or share it with another professional.
Will I get written findings?
Yes. Written findings are included. Ask that they note any part of the line the camera could not view, and why, so the record shows what was and was not seen.
Can you locate my sewer line, and how deep is it?
Line locating is a separate service. When it is in the scope of work and the equipment supports it, a camera sonde and a receiver can help estimate the surface position of a point in the line. A locate is approximate. It is not a survey, and it is not a guaranteed depth. Ask whether locating is part of your visit.
How long does it take, and how much does it cost?
Time and cost depend on the entry point, line length and pipe size, the amount and type of buildup, whether a camera is needed for visibility, and whether locating is part of the visit. We do not publish a standard time or price on this page. Ask when you request service.
Signs, buying, and upkeep
What are signs I may need cleaning or a camera inspection?
Slow drains at several fixtures, gurgling, a sewage-like odor, water rising in a floor drain, tub, or toilet, water at a cleanout, and clogs that keep returning are signs worth looking into. They do not prove a specific cause.
Should I have the sewer line looked at before buying a house?
Many buyers choose to, because the line is hidden and its condition is hard to judge from the surface. A camera can document visible conditions in the accessible line. Whether and when to do it is your decision, and local requirements and timelines vary. Cleaning may be needed first for the camera to see.
Is a sewer scope part of a standard home inspection?
Ask your home inspector what their inspection covers. A sewer scope is a separate, focused inspection of the sewer line, and a general inspection is not assumed to include one.
How often should a line be cleaned or inspected?
There is no single schedule that suits every property, and public agencies publish different local recommendations. Tree roots, the age and material of the pipe, buildup, access, and a history of recurring problems can all justify more frequent attention. Follow your local utility’s guidance.
Myths
Can I flush "flushable" wipes?
Many utilities advise against flushing wipes, including products labeled flushable, because they can contribute to blockages in a home’s line and in public sewers. Follow your local utility’s guidance and put wipes in the trash.
Will a chemical drain cleaner solve a sewer backup?
Not reliably. Chemical drain cleaners are not a guaranteed fix for a sewer problem, and some public utility guidance advises against them during a backup. If you have used one, tell the technician, and follow the product label and local guidance.
Related services
Sewer Camera Inspection
What a camera may show, and what it cannot confirm.
Sewer Cleaning
How sewer lines are cleaned, and what cleaning does not do.
Hydro Jetting
How pressurized-water cleaning works and when it may fit.
Drain Cleaning
Clogs and slow drains at a single fixture or branch line.
Recurring Sewer Backup Diagnosis
When a backup keeps returning after it is cleared.
Pre-Purchase Sewer Inspection
A focused look at the line during a home purchase.
Preventative Sewer Maintenance
Keeping a line maintained between problems.
Request service
Request cleaning and camera inspection
Tell us what your drains are doing and we will help you choose between cleaning, a camera inspection, or both. The Sewer Pros provides cleaning, camera diagnostic, and line locating services in St. Louis, San Diego, and Las Vegas.
Choose your service area, tell us what you have noticed, and let us know whether the line has been cleared before or the problem keeps returning.
This service is designed for accessible residential sewer and drain lines. Equipment selection and available service depend on the entry point, pipe size, line condition, and scope of work.
We provide cleaning, camera diagnostics, and line locating only. We do not provide sewer repair, replacement, lining, excavation, or pipe installation.
Request service
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