Sewer Pipe Inspections

Do I Need a Sewer Pipe Inspection?

Correctly identifying plumbing and drain problems can save you time and money, and ensure that you won’t have a bigger problem on your hands down the road. We highly recommend scheduling a video pipe inspection if you’re experiencing any of the following:

Repeated drain backups or clogs
Extremely slow drainage
Strange gurgling sounds from your washing machine, sinks or toilets
Foul odors coming from your yard or a depressed area in your lawn
Foul odors coming from your air vents

A sewer line camera inspection can quickly help to determine the cause of these problems. With video evidence in hand, our plumbing technicians can walk you through a discussion of the most efficient and budget-friendly options for repair.

You might also benefit from a video pipe inspection if you are:

Considering purchasing a new home and want to avoid future costly repairs
Considering remodeling a kitchen or bathroom and need to ensure your main sewer line can handle the greater amounts of waste water involved.

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Sewer Pipe Inspection Services & Process

A video pipe inspection provides you with a recorded visual inspection of sewer lines and other pipes below your home or commercial building.

The technician threads a flexible cable, or “snake,” with a high-resolution video camera on its tip into your sewer line from an access point. The video camera travels deep down into the pipes – up, down and around corners – through pipes that may not have been easily accessed any other way because they’re underground or in cement.

The video camera transmits real-time images to a monitor outside the pipe, allowing your plumbing technician to determine the condition of the pipe and necessary repairs or replacements on the spot. He can then recommend the best approach for addressing immediate existing problems and a clear estimate of their cost. This is the main advantage of a video pipe inspection: you won’t pay for costly repairs you don’t need.

The real-time video also records the physical location of identified problems. This is the second main advantage of a video pipe inspection: technicians can zero in on the problem area, or areas, saving you time and money.

You might find that there are no existing problems. In this case, your plumbing technician can still provide you with a review of the sewer line condition and solutions for potential upcoming problems.

Video Pipe Inspection Solutions

Prior to the sewer pipe inspection, you will be made aware of all options for repair and replacement. A few of the most common repair and replacement solutions are listed below. Click on the links to learn more about the advanced plumbing technologies.

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Trenchless Sewer Repair with cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) technology

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Service Areas

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Sewer Line Camera Inspection FAQs

What is a sewer camera inspection?

A sewer line camera inspection is where a high-tech, waterproof camera is eased into a main sewer line to scope the pipes and give plumbers an up-close visual on the condition of the pipes, where blockages are, and if there are any other issues – such as corroded pipes, damaged pipes from tree roots, and an assortment of other possible issues.

Additionally, a sewer camera inspection can alert a licensed plumber to hidden issues lurking in your plumbing system that will develop into major issues as time passes.

How much does it cost to camera a sewer line?

On average, video pipe inspections usually cost between $250 and $350. Actual costs can range depending on the length of the pipes, extent of damage and other factors.

The best way to secure an accurate sewer line camera inspection cost for your specific situation is to contact Invisible Excavations for an assessment of your plumbing symptoms and issues.

How long does a sewer line inspection take?

On average, sewer line camera inspections take one hour to scope the lines of a single-family residence. This estimate can vary depending on the size of the home/sewer line system, ease of access to the pipes, and other factors.

Once you secure a sewer line camera inspection cost for your home and sewer system, your plumber will be able to give a more accurate time estimate.

Are sewer line inspections necessary?

Yes. Some teams of plumbers would argue that sewer line camera inspections are vital, and they won’t take steps to unclog a blockage until a video inspection is done.

Why? Sewer line camera inspections are designed to find, diagnosis and pinpoint exactly where the issue is – or give an update on the condition of the pipes if it’s just a routine maintenance scope, such as in a city by city-hired plumbers – giving plumbers much better means of correcting the problem in a fast and efficient manner.

Additionally, once a video pipe inspection is complete, plumbers will know which method to employ to correctly fix the issue and minimize digging up and damaging yards and roads.

How often should you have your sewer line inspected?

First and foremost, you should have your sewer lines inspected before you finalize the sale of a new home. This way you know the exact conditions of the home’s pipes, and you can either negotiate on price or repair before the sale is final. Knowledge you gain from a video pipe inspection can also help you walk away from the sale if the condition of the pipes seem like too big of a burden and cost.

On top of this, if your sewer lines are less than 10 years old, an annual or biannual inspection is more than likely enough. If your sewer lines are older than 10 years old, an inspection and cleaning every six months to a year will not only deliver peace of mind, but it will also take care of small issues (that will cost less) before they become big, damaging, expensive headaches.

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Testimonials

We hired this company to do sewer work on our home. From Ike and Brandon explaining the proposal, to the crew who started work about 18 days later and Salvadore finishing it up. They were experienced, knowledgeable, professional & polite. We would not hesitate to hire them again if ever we have sewer problems. Can't forget Ally, cheerful and friendly.

Great company- owners should be proud.

Frank & Marilyn (Soules-Fabec)

My dye test inspection failed and it was going to be a costly repair. This company should be the only option for this nightmare. They were quick and didn’t tear up my lawn. The workers were kind and considerate and did an amazing job. They were thousands less than any other quote and very professional. My highest recommendation for this amazing company and crew. Thank you for making an awful situation as good as it could be! You’re the best and I will tell all my friends.

Mary Kay Molek

Had basement flooding through a cracked wall and due to collapsed drain pipes around the house. After many estimates with other companies, this one stood out. The work was done in a timely fashion with care taken for the property and landscaping. I highly recommend them!

Rachel S.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ask the Pros.

What is Invisible Excavations' service area?

Invisible Excavations serves several counties surrounding Cleveland and Akron Ohio, including Cuyahoga, Erie, Lake, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina and Summit. If you are slightly outside of this service area, please call 216-741-5131 to see if we may still be able to accommodate you.

Does Invisible Excavations have a payment program?

Yes, we offer a payment plan. We understand that many cannot afford the upfront costs associated with pipe lining – especially if you encounter a problem unexpectedly. To accommodate all customers, Invisible Excavations offers financing.