What the inspection is

A waterproof camera on a flexible push rod is fed through a cleanout and down the sewer line while the plumber watches a monitor. Many systems include a locator, so the camera head's position and depth can be marked on the ground above. The result is a recording of the inside of the pipe from the house toward the street.

In La Mirada, where many laterals are clay or cast iron from the original construction, the video often shows the specific joint where roots enter, a section of cast iron that has thinned, or a low spot where water and waste collect. That is far more useful than knowing only that the line clogged.

Good reasons to schedule one

  • The main line has backed up more than once.
  • You are buying a home built in the 1950s, 60s or 70s.
  • A large tree grows near the path of the sewer line.
  • You see wet spots, sinkholes or sewer odor in the front yard.
  • You are planning a remodel that adds bathrooms or moves drains.
  • A plumber recommends lining or replacement and you want to see why.

Terms you may hear on the video

Root intrusion
Roots growing into the pipe through a joint or crack, from fine hair roots to dense masses.
Belly or sag
A low section where water stands instead of draining, collecting debris.
Offset joint
Two pipe sections that have shifted so their edges no longer line up, creating a lip that catches waste.
Scale and tuberculation
Rough corrosion buildup inside cast iron that narrows the pipe.
Channeling
Erosion along the bottom of cast iron, sometimes all the way through.
Transition
Where one pipe material meets another, such as cast iron to clay or older pipe to a newer repair.

How an inspection usually goes

  1. Access.The plumber opens the outside cleanout, or pulls a toilet if there is no usable cleanout.
  2. Clear if needed.If the line is blocked, flow is restored first so the camera can travel and see the pipe walls.
  3. Record the run.The camera travels toward the street while distance is tracked; problem spots can be located and marked above ground.
  4. Review together.A good inspection ends with the plumber walking you through the video and pointing out each defect and its distance from the cleanout.

Questions to ask about the results

  1. How far from the cleanout is each problem, and how deep is the line there?
  2. Is the damage on my portion of the lateral or near the city main?
  3. Can this be lined, or does it need excavation?
  4. What happens if I wait, and what would you watch for?
  5. Will you camera the line again after the repair?

Common questions

Is a camera inspection part of a home inspection?

Often not. General home inspections usually do not include the sewer lateral, so buyers of older homes often order one separately.

Does the camera find leaks in water pipes?

No. Sewer cameras look inside drain and sewer lines. Water supply leaks are found with meter tests, pressure testing and leak detection tools.

Can the camera see all the way to the street?

Usually, if the line is open. A collapse or heavy blockage can stop the camera short of the main.

General information for La Mirada, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.