Home / Services / Drain & Sewer Services / Sewer Camera Inspection
Sewer camera inspection
A waterproof camera run through the line shows breaks, roots, sags and blockages on video, so repair decisions are based on what is really there.
What the camera shows
Guessing about a sewer line is expensive. A camera inspection lets us see the pipe from the inside: what it is made of, where joints have separated, where roots have pushed in and where the line dips and holds water. We can also locate the problem spot from above ground so any repair is planned precisely.
You watch the footage with us, and we explain what each issue means in plain terms. Some lines only need cleaning. Others need a section repaired. A few need replacing. The camera tells us which.
Good times to inspect
A camera inspection pays off whenever you need facts about a line you cannot see.
If the main line clogs more than once, the camera shows whether roots, a break or a sag is causing it.
A sewer lateral can be costly to replace. Checking it before closing gives you a clearer picture of the house.
Seeing the exact problem and its location avoids digging up more yard, driveway or basement floor than needed.
Soggy ground over the line or an odor outside can point to a leak in the lateral that only the camera confirms.
Inspection steps
We enter through a cleanout or a pulled fixture, choosing the access point that gives the clearest view of the line.
The camera travels the length of the pipe while we watch the live picture and note every joint and defect.
A locator above ground marks where an issue sits and roughly how deep, so repairs can be planned exactly.
We go over the footage with you, explain what it shows and outline the options, with prices for each.
Why Empire
A camera inspection is only useful if someone explains it honestly. We show you what we see, separate the minor issues from the serious ones and give you options. If the line just needs cleaning, that is what we tell you.
You watch the video with us, so you never have to take a repair recommendation on trust alone.
Knowing the exact spot and depth means smaller excavations and less disruption to your yard or floor.
The person reading your footage is a licensed Maryland plumber who repairs sewer lines, not just a camera operator.
We explain cleaning, spot repair and replacement side by side, with prices, and let you decide.
Questions
Do not see your question? Call (443) 630-9804 during office hours and talk to a licensed plumber.
For older homes, it is a smart step. Standard home inspections usually do not include the sewer lateral, and problems like root intrusion or broken clay pipe are not visible from inside the house. A camera inspection shows the condition of the line before you commit.
A cleanout makes access easiest, but it is not always required. We can often go in through a toilet flange or another fixture. If your home has no cleanout and the line needs regular work, we may suggest adding one.
Not well. The camera needs a path through the pipe. If the line is blocked, we usually clear it first, then run the camera to find out what caused the blockage and whether the pipe is damaged.
It varies by home and lot. The locator we use with the camera gives a depth reading at the problem spot, which helps us plan an excavation and give you an accurate price for any repair.
Ask us at the start and we will let you know what we can provide for your job. Either way, we review the footage with you on site and explain each issue we find.
Related services
Drains & sewer
Repairs and full replacements for cracked, collapsed or root-damaged sewer lines, planned from what the camera shows.
Learn more
Drains & sewer
High-pressure water jetting that scours grease, scale and roots from the inside of the pipe, not just a hole through the clog.
Learn more
Drains & sewer
Slow and clogged drains cleared at the source, from kitchen and bathroom lines to the main drain.
Learn more
Request an estimate
Call (443) 630-9804 to schedule a camera inspection. We will review the footage with you and explain your options.