How it works
A waterproof camera head on a flexible push rod is fed into the line through a cleanout, a toilet flange or a roof vent. The plumber watches a live picture while a counter on the reel shows how far the camera has traveled. Many systems also include a small transmitter in the camera head, so the plumber can find its position and depth from above ground with a locator.
The result is a record of the pipe from the inside: what it is made of, where the joints are, and where something is wrong. Ask for a copy of the footage or at least screenshots with distances.
Reading what you see
| On the screen | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Fine hair-like strands at a joint | Root intrusion through a gap in the joint |
| Water pooling for a stretch | A sag or belly where waste settles |
| A lip or step between sections | An offset joint that catches paper and wipes |
| Rough, bumpy walls in metal pipe | Scale and corrosion in cast iron |
| A visible crack or missing piece | Broken or failing pipe |
| Change in material partway along | An earlier repair or the transition to the city connection |
Good times to ask for a camera inspection
- The same line has backed up more than once
- Roots came back on the cable after clearing
- The cable could not get through or came back with soil on it
- A plumber is recommending sewer repair or replacement
- You are buying an older home, especially one from the 1950s to 1970s
- Before planning landscaping, a driveway or an addition over the sewer path
What a camera cannot do
- Fix anything
- It shows the problem; repairs are a separate decision
- See outside the pipe
- It cannot tell you about soil conditions or nearby utilities
- Prove ownership
- Where your lateral ends and the city's begins is a question for the city
- Replace a second opinion
- For a big repair, another licensed contractor can review the same footage
Ask about the footage
- Can I watch live, and can I keep a copy?
- At what distance and depth is each problem?
- Is this problem on my property or past it?
- Is the rest of the pipe in reasonable shape, or is the damage widespread?
- What would you recommend, and what are the alternatives?
Common questions
Does a camera inspection damage the pipe?
No. The camera is pushed gently through the line and does not cut or clean anything.
Should I get one before buying a house in Fullerton?
Many buyers of older homes do, because a standard home inspection usually does not include the sewer lateral. It can reveal roots or broken pipe before closing.
Can the plumber mark the problem spot on the ground?
If the camera has a locating transmitter, the plumber can usually mark the approximate position and depth from above.
General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.