5 Questions to Ask About Sewer Camera Inspections

Whether you notice slow drains in your house or a strong sewage odor near your home, a drain line breakage camera can locate the issue. Dig into these five sewer camera inspection questions to get yourself ready to talk with a pro about the stinky problem. 

1. When do you need your sewer inspected? 

The signs of a drain line break are often obvious: slow drains, foul odors, and gurgling noises. The sooner you catch and resolve a drain line issue, the better. The longer a breakage goes undetected, the more likely water damage, mold growth, and even sewage backup in your basement can occur. Contact a local drain camera pro who can find the root problem and plan for a repair right away. 

2. Where is your drain line access point? 

Your pro will need to place the camera in the access point, or sewer cleanout, of your drain line, which could be in your basement, utility room, or outside your home. It’s helpful to clear away debris and make the point accessible before a pro arrives. However, some homes don’t have an access point, and a pro must remove a toilet to access the drain line. The technician will insert a camera into the sewer line to detect cracks, blockages, and root intrusion. 

If you don’t know where your access point is, don’t fret—a pro can help. 

3. Why do you need a camera to diagnose your plumbing problems? 

If you’re experiencing recurring clogs, slow drains, or foul drain odors, those are great reasons to schedule a sewer camera inspection. Other signs of a broken drain line include cracks in your foundation, rodents or insects in your home, mold in your walls, sewage backup, and gurgling noises from your drain. But you might also want the drain line inspected as a part of your home inspection before closing. Either way, a pro will record a video and share the results with you afterward, along with any recommendations for maintenance and repair. 

4. If there is a sewage sump pump, is it operating? 

If you have a sewage sump pump for a drain lower than the sewer line, it can provide sneak peek access before a camera inspection. Through the sump pump, a pro might be able to find a blocked line, avoiding the need for a camera inspection. Or, the camera inspection might still be necessary to identify the location and root cause of the drain issues. If your sump pump runs often, it can indicate a problem, such as a blocked sewer line, tree root, or pipe damage. An inspection helps identify the issue. 

5. What is your budget for an inspection? 

The cost of a sewer camera inspection is often more than worth it. If you don't have an inspection and a repair, you could face expensive water damage, mold growth, and foundation cracks. But it can be helpful to prepare for the expense. The cost of a sewer camera inspection ranges from $270 to $1,750, depending on the length of your sewer line and how easy it is to access.