Locate
We estimate where an accessible line runs, within what the equipment can trace.
Residential sewer line locating
Sewer Line Locating
Sewer line locating estimates where an accessible underground sewer line runs, so you can plan work around it. A technician uses compatible locating equipment to trace the line from the surface and estimate its path.
We provide cleaning, camera diagnostics, and line locating only. We do not provide sewer repair, replacement, lining, excavation, or pipe installation.
- Accessible residential sewer and drain lines
- An estimate of the route, not a survey
- No repair, excavation, or replacement work offered
Service
Sewer Line Locating
Request sewer line locating
Tell us what you are planning near the line. We will help you choose between locating, a camera inspection, or both.
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The short answer
What is sewer line locating?
Sewer line locating uses a transmitter inside the line and a receiver at the surface to estimate where an underground sewer line runs. A common setup is a camera with a built-in sonde, a transmitter near the camera head that a compatible receiver can detect from above ground. Depth readings are approximate.
Knowing the approximate route can help you plan landscaping, fencing, or other property work near the line. Locating shows where a line runs. A sewer camera inspection shows what is inside it. They answer different questions and can be useful together. This page covers accessible private-property sewer lines, not public sewer mains.
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.
Why people ask
When sewer line locating may be worth asking about
Planning digging, trenching, or construction
The approximate path of a private sewer line can help you coordinate site planning before anyone digs nearby. It does not replace required utility marking, permits, or planning by the people doing the work.
Landscaping, trees, fences, or hardscape
An approximate route can help you plan where to put work that involves digging. Results depend on access and site conditions.
Sharing the route with another contractor
Approximate route information may help you describe where the line runs to whoever is doing work on your property.
Buying or evaluating a property
Knowing where the line runs can help when you are weighing what could be built or changed on a property. It does not show the condition of the line.
A camera finding you need to place
When a camera inspection shows a visible condition, locating may help estimate where that point sits at the surface, when the equipment supports it.
These are reasons people ask about locating. They do not mean locating is always needed. If you also need to know what condition the line is in, a sewer camera inspection is the better starting point.
Evidence and its limits
What a locate may give you, and what it is not
A locate is an estimate for planning. Accuracy varies with the pipe, the signal, the surrounding materials, and the site, and manufacturer specifications vary by model.
A locate may give you
An estimate, within what the equipment can trace
- The approximate surface position of a point in an accessible line
- An estimate of the line's path between points the equipment could trace
- An estimate of depth at a point, in suitable conditions
- The approximate surface position of the camera head where it was stopped, when a camera with a compatible sonde is used
- A planning estimate you can share with whoever does the work
It is not
Where a locate stops
- A survey, or a property or boundary line
- Utility clearance, or permission to dig
- An exact depth. Depth readings are estimates and can vary.
- A map of every buried utility. Locating traces the sewer line, not other lines.
- A trace of any section the equipment could not reach
- A look at the pipe's condition. A camera inspection is a separate service.
A mark or measurement is an estimate. Before anyone digs, contact your state one-call program (often reached at 811) or your local utility and follow applicable requirements.
What happens on the day
What happens during a sewer line locating visit
The steps below describe a typical visit. What yours includes depends on the line, the entry point, and the scope of work.
Step 1: Access
The technician identifies an accessible entry point, commonly a cleanout.
Step 2: Equipment
Compatible locating equipment is matched to the line, the entry point, and the pipe. What can be used depends on the line. Our equipment includes the SeekTech SR-20.
Step 3: Travel
The camera and sonde are advanced through the line in stages, as far as the line allows. Where the camera cannot pass, that part of the line is not traced.
Step 4: Trace
At each stop, a receiver at the surface picks up the sonde's signal to estimate the position of that point and its approximate depth. Repeated points show the observed route of the part of the line that could be traced.
Step 5: Record
Ask what is recorded, including any marks or notes, and ask what could not be traced and why.
Access points and preparing for your visit
- The most common entry point is a cleanout. Whether one exists, and where, depends on your property's plumbing layout.
- Other entry points may be possible, depending on the property and the equipment. Ask what applies to yours.
- Make sure the technician can safely reach the agreed entry point and the area you want traced.
- Tell us what you are planning, where, and whether the visit relates to a home purchase or an inspection period.
- Before any digging, contact your state one-call program (often 811) or local utility. A private locate does not replace it.
Which service fits
Locating or camera inspection: which do you need?
Locating answers where the line runs. A camera inspection answers what is inside it. Some questions need one, and some need both.
A locate does not show the condition of the pipe, and a camera view alone does not tell you where the line sits on your property.
Where to start
- If you need to know where the line runs before planning work, locating may be the question.
- If you need to know why drains are slow or backing up, a camera inspection may come first.
- If a camera shows a visible condition and you need to know where it sits on your property, locating may be added, when the equipment supports it.
- If a blockage stops the camera, the part it could not reach cannot be traced. Cleaning may need to come first.
Independent by design
Major sewer decisions deserve clear evidence.
Document
You can ask for the marks or notes, and for what could not be traced.
Decide
You plan next steps with that information in hand. The Sewer Pros does not sell repair or replacement.
If someone has recommended costly work near your line, ask for the evidence, get multiple written estimates, and ask for an explanation when they differ.
Which service fits
Sewer line locating vs. related services
| Service | What it does | May fit when |
|---|---|---|
| Sewer line locating (this page) | Estimates the route and position of an accessible underground sewer line. It is an estimate, not a survey. | You need to know where the line runs |
| Sewer camera inspection | Shows visible conditions inside an accessible line | The cause or condition of the line is unclear |
| Sewer cleaning | Removes buildup and obstructions that restrict flow in an accessible line | Flow is restricted by grease, roots, debris, or similar material |
| Pre-purchase sewer inspection | A focused look at the visible condition of the line before a purchase | You are buying a home |
| One-call utility notification (811) (Not our service) | A public process for requesting utility marking before digging. Whether private sewer lines are covered depends on your program and utility, so ask. | Before any digging. Private locating does not replace it. |
Before you book
What to ask for, and what to keep
What is included can vary by appointment. Ask before you book, and keep what you receive.
Surface marks
Ask whether marks are provided for your appointment, and what they show.
Depth readings
Ask whether a depth reading is given. Treat any depth as an estimate.
Entry point and trace
Ask which entry point was used, how much of the line was traced, and whether the camera reached the intended endpoint.
What could not be traced
Ask for any part of the line that could not be reached or traced, and why.
Video and written findings
When a camera is used, you receive the inspection video. Written findings are included.
Keep the video, findings, and notes
Before authorizing major sewer work, keep the video and written findings, request written scopes and estimates, and consider an independent second opinion. Depending on local program rules or transaction requirements, these records may also help support a property-sale disclosure, a municipal lateral-program review, an estimate comparison, or an insurance inquiry.
A locate is an estimate for planning. It is not a survey, utility clearance, or permission to dig.
If your situation is a little different
Home buyers
Locating shows where a line runs. A camera inspection shows the visible condition inside it. A pre-purchase sewer inspection focuses on condition. Timing follows your purchase contract's inspection period.
Home buyer sewer inspectionsReal estate agents
Route information can support due diligence and project planning on a property. It is separate from the condition of the line.
Transaction supportHome inspectors
Locating may help clarify an approximate route when an inspection raises questions about where the line runs.
Working with home inspectorsProperty managers
Approximate route information may support maintenance planning, access coordination, and vendor communication on residential properties. Tenant notice depends on your lease and local law.
Property manager support
Service areas
Sewer line locating service areas
Choose your market for local service details and scheduling options.
St. Louis, MO
Residential sewer line locating across the St. Louis area.
San Diego, CA
Residential sewer line locating in the San Diego area.
Las Vegas, NV
Residential sewer line locating across the Las Vegas Valley.
What our customers say
4.9 out of 5from 595 Google reviews · as of
Questions
Sewer line locating questions
The basics
What is sewer line locating?
Sewer line locating estimates the route and position of an existing underground sewer line. A technician uses compatible locating equipment, often with a sewer camera, to help identify where an accessible line runs. The results can help with property planning or with deciding where further inspection may be useful.
How does sewer line locating work?
When a camera with a compatible sonde can travel the line, the sonde sends a signal that a receiver at the surface can detect. That helps estimate the position of the camera head at each stop and its approximate depth. What can be used depends on the entry point, the pipe, the line condition, and the scope of work.
What are a sonde, a receiver, and a cleanout?
A sonde is a small transmitter that sends a detectable signal from inside a pipe. It may be built into a camera. A receiver is the handheld instrument that detects that signal above ground. A cleanout is a capped access opening in a sewer line, commonly used as the entry point for a camera.
Is sewer line locating the same as calling 811?
No. 811 is the number commonly used to reach a state one-call program, which coordinates utility marking requests before digging. Private sewer line locating focuses on tracing a property's sewer line. Whether a private line is covered by public markings varies, so ask your one-call program or local utility which lines are covered at your property.
Do I need a camera inspection before locating?
Not always. It depends on whether the line is accessible and what you need to learn. A camera inspection shows visible conditions inside the pipe and may support locating when a compatible camera and sonde can travel through the line. If the camera cannot pass, the technician can explain the options and limitations.
Limits and digging
Can you tell me exactly where my sewer line is?
Locating can give a practical estimate of the route. Accuracy depends on access to the line, the pipe, depth, and site conditions. Treat any mark or measurement as a guide for planning, not a guarantee of the pipe's position and not a substitute for required utility clearance.
Can sewer line locating determine the pipe's depth?
Some locating equipment can estimate depth under suitable conditions. The result is not guaranteed and can vary with the pipe, the signal, the surrounding materials, and the site. Treat a depth reading as an estimate for planning, not a precise measurement or permission to dig.
Can you locate every utility on my property?
No. Locating traces the private sewer line within the scope of the service. It does not identify every buried utility or replace the one-call utility marking process. Arrange separate locating for other privately owned lines when needed.
Is a locate a survey, and does it mean I can dig?
No. A locate is an estimate for planning. It is not a survey, utility clearance, or permission to excavate. Before anyone digs, contact your state one-call program or local utility and follow applicable requirements.
Can a sewer camera see through water?
No. A camera cannot see under water, so a line that is blocked and not draining may not be viewable until flow is restored. Water, debris, an obstruction, or a collapsed section can limit what the camera documents. Cleaning may need to come first.
Can a sewer line be located under concrete or a driveway?
Sometimes. The receiver detects the sonde's signal rather than the pipe itself, so many pipe materials can be located. Concrete, rebar, other buried metal, and interference can weaken the signal and reduce accuracy, so results under slabs and driveways are less certain.
What if the camera cannot get through the line?
The part of the line the equipment did not reach is not traced. Depending on the cause, additional cleaning, a repeat visit, or approaching the line from another access point, where one is available, may help. The findings should say what was not traced.
Access, marks, and records
What access point do you use? Do you have to pull a toilet?
Most often a cleanout, where one is accessible. Whether one exists, and where it is, depends on the 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.
Will I get surface marks?
Ask before you book. Whether surface marks are provided is part of the scope to confirm for your appointment, along with what the marks show and how much of the line they cover.
Will I get video and written findings?
When a camera is used, you receive the inspection video. Written findings are included. Ask what else is included for your visit, including any marks or notes.
How long does locating take, and how much does it cost?
Time and cost depend on the accessible entry point, the line length and pipe size, the line condition, and whether a camera, video, or marks are included. We do not publish a standard time or price on this page. Ask when you request service.
Planning and property
Can line locating help before landscaping or fence installation?
Yes. Locating can help you understand the likely route of a private sewer line before you plan landscaping, fencing, or other digging. Share your project plans when you request service so the technician knows which area to evaluate. Contact your state one-call program or local utility first and follow applicable requirements. Private locating does not replace public utility marking.
If the line drains after cleaning, is the pipe healthy?
Not necessarily. Clearing a clog may restore flow, but a camera inspection can still be needed to document the condition of the accessible pipe and look for visible sources of recurring problems.
Should I use chemical drain cleaner on a sewer line clog?
Public utilities advise against it. Chemical products can create safety hazards, can damage pipe, and may not resolve the underlying cause. They are not a substitute for diagnosing recurring drainage trouble.
Can line locating help with sewer repair work?
It can help you tell whoever does the work where the line runs. The Sewer Pros does not provide sewer repair, replacement, lining, excavation, or pipe installation.
How often should a sewer line be located or inspected?
There is no single schedule that fits every property. Consider locating and camera diagnostics when drains are slow, fixtures gurgle, wastewater backs up, or clogs keep returning. Some local programs set their own inspection requirements, so check your local sewer utility or municipality.
Does my city require a sewer inspection for a sale, remodel, or permit?
It depends on where the property is. Some local programs require a camera inspection when a property is sold or when certain permits are issued, and many do not. Check with your local sewer utility or building department. We do not give legal advice.
Should I have the line located before buying a house?
Locating shows where a line runs, not what condition it is in. If you are buying, a pre-purchase sewer inspection shows visible conditions in the accessible line. Ask whether locating is part of your appointment.
Keep reading
Sewer Camera Inspection
What a camera may show, and what it cannot confirm.
Sewer Cleaning & Camera Inspection
Review visible line conditions and address an appropriate restriction when warranted.
Pre-Purchase Sewer Inspection
A focused look at the line before you buy.
Request service
Request sewer line locating
Choose your service area, tell us what you are planning near the line, and let us know if you know where a cleanout or other access point is.
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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