Camera & Video Pipe Inspection Service
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Camera and video pipe inspection pinpoints blockage location, identifies root intrusions and cracks, and documents structural defects so the right repair is chosen before any work begins. Bonded Plumbworks’ licensed plumbers feed a high-definition waterproof camera through cleanouts, drain openings, or roof vent stacks — tracking position with a distance counter and logging findings with time-stamped video. Inspection data includes pipe material, slope, joint condition, and remaining service life.
Camera and video pipe inspection is a diagnostic plumbing method that uses a waterproof, high-definition camera mounted on a flexible cable to visually inspect the interior of drain and sewer pipes. The camera transmits live video to a surface monitor, recording pipe condition, blockage locations, joint separations, root intrusions, bellies, cracks, and corrosion with a distance counter that pinpoints exact locations. — Bonded Plumbworks
What Is Camera & Video Pipe Inspection
A sewer camera is a specialized plumbing diagnostic tool consisting of a high-resolution camera head (typically 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter) mounted on a flexible push cable that can navigate bends and junctions in drain and sewer pipes from 2 inches to 12 inches in diameter. The camera head includes LED lights that illuminate the pipe interior, and the cable includes a distance counter that records exactly how far the camera has traveled from the access point.
The live video feed displays on a surface monitor where the technician and homeowner can see the pipe condition in real time. The entire inspection is recorded and can be saved to a USB drive or digital file for your records, insurance claims, or real estate transactions.
Advanced camera systems also include a sonde (radio transmitter) built into the camera head. The sonde emits a radio signal that can be detected from the surface with a locating receiver, allowing the technician to mark the exact ground-level position of any problem found inside the pipe.
The sonde locating capability is critical for repair planning. Once the camera identifies a crack, root mass, or belly, the sonde signal allows us to mark the exact spot on the surface where excavation should occur — eliminating the need to dig exploratory trenches. Bonded Plumbworks uses sonde-equipped camera systems on every inspection to provide precise location data. — Bonded Plumbworks, serving since 2006
When to Schedule Camera & Video Pipe Inspection
Camera and video pipe inspection is appropriate for recurring clogs that resist snaking, pre-purchase sewer assessments, and whenever sewer odors appear with no visible surface cause.
- Recurring drain clogs that do not respond to snaking or jetting
- Before purchasing a home (pre-purchase sewer inspection)
- Sewer odors in the house or yard with no visible cause
- Before and after sewer line repair to document the condition
- Suspected root intrusion in the sewer lateral
- Slow drains throughout the house suggesting a main line issue
- Insurance claim documentation for sewer or drain damage
- Before hydro-jetting to verify the pipe can withstand high pressure
- Locating a lost cleanout or determining the path of buried sewer lines
Camera inspection is one of the most valuable preventive services in residential plumbing. A $200 inspection can prevent thousands of dollars in unnecessary repair by confirming the exact problem before any work begins.
How It Works
Step 1: Access Point Selection. We access the pipe through a cleanout, drain opening, or roof vent stack. The main cleanout (typically located near the foundation or in the yard) provides the most direct path for sewer line inspection.
Step 2: Camera Insertion. We feed the camera cable into the pipe, navigating it through bends and junctions while monitoring the live video feed. The distance counter tracks the camera’s position from the access point.
Step 3: Condition Assessment. As the camera travels through the pipe, we document every finding: blockages, root intrusions, joint separations, cracks, bellies, scale buildup, pipe material transitions, and structural defects. We note the distance and clock position (12 o’clock, 3 o’clock, etc.) of each finding. Camera and Video Pipe Inspection gives you a live view of the problem before any work starts. You review the findings and approve the quote before any repair begins.
Step 4: Sonde Locating. When we identify a problem that may require excavation, we stop the camera at that location and use a surface locator to mark the spot on the ground directly above the camera head. We also record the depth.
Step 5: Report and Recording. We provide a verbal summary of findings with recommendations, deliver a recorded video file of the inspection, and mark any surface locations where repairs are needed.
Bonded Plumbworks uses self-leveling camera heads that maintain a right-side-up image regardless of the camera’s rotation within the pipe. This feature is essential for accurate condition assessment — without self-leveling, it is difficult to determine whether a defect is at the top, bottom, or side of the pipe. — Bonded Plumbworks
Benefits vs. Alternatives
| Diagnostic Method | Visual Confirmation | Locates Problem | Non-Invasive | Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camera Inspection | Yes (HD video) | Yes (with sonde) | Yes | Video recording |
| Smoke Testing | Leak detection only | Approximate | Yes | Visual only |
| Dye Testing | Confirms connections | No | Yes | None |
| Excavation (dig and look) | Yes | Yes (after digging) | No | Photos only |
| Symptom-Based Diagnosis | No | Estimated | Yes | None |
Camera inspection is the only non-invasive method that provides definitive visual confirmation of pipe condition with precise location data. Every other diagnostic method either requires excavation or provides only indirect evidence.
Pricing
- Sewer line camera inspection (up to 100 ft): $150 - $300
- Extended inspection (100-200 ft): $250 - $450
- Sonde locating (included with inspection): No additional charge
- Pre-purchase home sewer inspection: $200 - $350
- Post-repair verification inspection: Often included with repair service
Bonded Plumbworks provides the inspection recording at no additional charge. The inspection fee is typically credited toward any repair service performed based on the findings.
Our Qualifications
Bonded Plumbworks operates commercial-grade sewer camera systems with self-leveling HD camera heads, integrated sonde transmitters, and digital recording capability. Our technicians are state-licensed and trained in camera operation, pipe condition assessment, and sonde locating. Since 2006, we have performed thousands of camera inspections.
Bonded Plumbworks uses camera systems capable of inspecting pipes from 2 inches (interior drains) to 12 inches (main sewer lines) in diameter. Our cameras navigate multiple 90-degree bends and can travel up to 200 feet from the access point. All inspections include distance marking and condition documentation. — Bonded Plumbworks, established 2006
FAQ
How much does camera and video pipe inspection cost? Camera and Video Pipe Inspection typically costs $150 to $450 for most residential jobs. The final price depends on the scope of work, materials required, and site conditions. Bonded Plumbworks provides a written estimate before starting any camera and video pipe inspection work, so you know the exact cost upfront. Call (855) 557-9600 for a same-day quote.
Can I watch the camera feed during the inspection? Yes. We encourage homeowners to watch the live feed on our surface monitor. Seeing the pipe condition firsthand helps you understand the findings and make informed decisions about any recommended repairs.
Will the camera damage my pipes? No. The camera head is smooth, rounded, and smaller than the pipe diameter. It does not contact the pipe walls with enough force to cause damage. We select the appropriate camera size for your pipe diameter.
Should I get a camera inspection before buying a house? Absolutely. A pre-purchase sewer inspection reveals conditions that a standard home inspection does not cover — root intrusions, bellied sections, cracked pipes, and aging materials that may require expensive repairs. The cost of the inspection is minimal compared to the cost of an unexpected sewer replacement.
Back to Drain Sewer Services
Schedule Your Camera Inspection
See exactly what is happening inside your pipes. Call Bonded Plumbworks at (855) 557-9600 to schedule a camera and video pipe inspection. Every inspection includes HD recording and sonde locating at no extra charge. Every camera and video pipe inspection service includes a 90-day guarantee on camera and video pipe inspection work, covering parts and labor.