What Is a Video Camera Sewer Inspection and When Do You Need One?

A video camera sewer inspection is a simple, non-invasive service. We use a small, waterproof camera mounted on a long, flexible cable. The camera is fed into your sewer line through an access point called a cleanout.

As the camera moves through the pipe, it sends live video back to a screen. We watch the inside of your sewer line in real time. This lets us spot trouble that no plunger or basic snake could ever find.

The whole process happens without digging up your yard or driveway. You get a clear look at what is wrong, and so do we. Many inspections can also be recorded, so you have video of the pipe for your records. This is the same service you may know as a video drain inspection.

You may hear this service called a few different names:

• Sewer camera inspection
• Sewer line camera inspection
• Sewer scope inspection
• Drain camera inspection

A sewer camera inspection follows a few clear steps. Here is what to expect when we come to your home:

• We find the access point. We locate your cleanout, a capped pipe that opens into your sewer line.
• We feed in the camera. The waterproof camera on its flexible cable goes into the line.
• We watch the live video. As the camera moves through the pipe, the inside shows up on our screen.
• We mark the problem spot. A locator in the camera tells us the exact depth and location of any trouble.
• We show you the findings. You can watch the screen with us and see the problem for yourself.

Most inspections take about 30 to 60 minutes. Longer or older pipes can take a little more time.

Some plumbing problems are easy to fix on your own. Others are signs of trouble deeper in your sewer line. A camera inspection helps when the problem keeps coming back or you cannot find the cause.

Watch for these warning signs:

• Repeat backups. Your drains clog again soon after you clear them.
• Slow drains in more than one spot. Several fixtures drain slowly at the same time.
• Gurgling toilets. You hear bubbling sounds when water goes down.
• Bad sewer smell. A foul odor lingers inside the house or in the yard.
• Wet spots in the yard. Soggy patches can mean a cracked or leaking pipe.
• Large trees near the line. Roots are drawn to pipes and can break in.
• Buying or selling an older home. A camera check shows the true pipe condition.

A camera shows the true condition of your sewer line. It finds problems that are hidden underground and impossible to see from the surface. Here are the most common issues we spot:

• Clogs and blockages. Grease, debris, and wipes build up and slow your drains.
• Tree root intrusion. Roots creep into pipe joints and grow until they block the line.
• Cracked or broken pipes. Shifting soil and age can split a sewer pipe over time.
• Collapsed or sagging pipe. A low spot, called a belly, traps waste and causes backups.
• Misaligned joints. Pipe sections shift apart, letting waste leak into the soil.
• Corrosion in old pipes. Older metal pipes rust and break down from the inside.

Tree roots are one of the most common causes of sewer damage, a problem the EPA notes can crack and block pipes over time. When roots are the cause, we may suggest root removal from your drains. When the pipe itself is broken, we explain your options for sewer line repair.

Once the camera work is done, we walk you through what we found. You see the video, and we explain the problem in plain words. There is no pressure and no confusing jargon.

Next, we give you clear repair options. Because the locator marked the exact spot, we often dig less or skip digging altogether. That saves your yard and lowers the cost of the fix. For a blocked main line, we may recommend sewer and drain cleaning to clear it out.

One Southlake homeowner thought they needed their whole line dug up. The camera showed a single root clog in one joint. We cleared it, and their drains ran fine again. The camera saved them from a major repair they did not need.

From there, the next step is simple. We schedule the service that fits your pipe and get your drains flowing again.

Stop guessing about what is wrong with your sewer line. Let us look inside and show you the real problem on screen. At Berkeys Plumbing, A/C & Electrical, we have served Southlake since 1975, and we run sewer camera inspections every day.

When you know exactly what is happening in your pipe, you can fix it the right way. You save money, protect your yard, and get your drains flowing again. Our team is here for you around the clock.

Call us at (817) 481-5869 to book your video camera sewer inspection in Southlake today.