A sewer camera inspection gives you a window into your home’s underground plumbing — showing exactly what’s happening inside your main sewer line without excavation. Davis Plumbing and Heating Inc. performs sewer camera inspections throughout Riverside County as a diagnostic tool before any major drain or sewer work, and as a preventive measure for older homes.
What Is a Sewer Camera Inspection?
A high-definition, waterproof camera is attached to a flexible cable and fed through a cleanout access point into your sewer line. As the cable moves through the pipe, the camera transmits live video to a monitor, allowing the technician to see the interior condition of the pipe in real time. Davis Plumbing records this video for documentation purposes.
When You Should Request a Sewer Camera Inspection
- Before purchasing a home — Standard home inspections don’t include sewer camera inspection. Adding a sewer scope inspection to your pre-purchase due diligence can save you from buying a home with a collapsed or severely root-infiltrated sewer line.
- Recurring main line backups — If you’re having your main line cleared every year or two, a camera inspection reveals whether tree roots are the cause (and how severe) or whether the pipe has a structural issue.
- Before and after hydro jetting — Seeing the pipe before shows what we’re dealing with; seeing it after confirms the line is truly clean.
- Older homes (pre-1970s) — Clay tile and cast iron sewer lines from this era can crack, offset, and collapse. A camera inspection reveals their actual condition.
- Known tree root issues — If you have large mature trees over your sewer line path, annual camera inspection helps track root infiltration rate and schedule clearing before a complete backup occurs.
What Sewer Camera Inspections Reveal
- Tree root intrusion (severity and location)
- Grease and debris accumulation patterns
- Cracked, offset, or collapsed pipe sections
- Pipe bellying (low spots where water and solids accumulate)
- Buildup from scale or foreign objects
- Connection and joint condition
Sewer Camera Inspection Costs in Riverside County
A basic sewer scope inspection typically costs $150-350. When combined with a drain cleaning service, the inspection is often discounted or included. The inspection cost is minimal compared to the peace of mind — and compared to the cost of unexpected sewer repairs after a complete backup.
Schedule a Sewer Camera Inspection
Call Davis Plumbing and Heating at (951) 657-0393 for sewer camera inspection in Murrieta, Temecula, Menifee, Perris, Lake Elsinore, and all of Riverside County. Or schedule online.