Sewer camera inspection in Plymouth

A plumber feeds a waterproof camera on a flexible cable through a cleanout and into your sewer line. The camera sends live video back to a monitor, so you can watch as it travels out toward the street.

Most systems also include a locator. The plumber can find the camera head from above ground and mark where a problem sits and roughly how deep it is. That information matters if any digging is needed later.

A camera inspection can show root intrusion at joints, cracks, offset or separated joints, heavy grease or scale buildup, a belly where the pipe has sagged and holds water, and sections that have collapsed or are close to it. It can also identify the pipe material, which helps you understand how much life the line has left.

It can't fix anything by itself, and a heavily blocked line may need to be cleared before the camera can get through. A plumber will usually run a cable first if water is standing in the line.

A standard home inspection usually doesn't include the sewer line, and problems underground are easy to miss on a walkthrough. Many buyers in the Twin Cities west metro add a sewer scope, especially for homes with mature trees in the yard or homes built before the 1980s.

If the camera finds a damaged or root-filled line, you'll have that information during your inspection period. You can then ask a plumber for a repair estimate and discuss it with your agent before closing. Ask for a copy of the video so you have a record.

A scope is worth considering after any main line backup, especially a repeat one. It tells you whether cleaning the line is enough or whether something needs repair. It is also useful before a basement remodel, before planting trees near the line, or if you notice a sewer smell or a soggy patch in the yard.

Homes that have had the line cleared for roots in the past can benefit from a periodic check to see how quickly the roots are coming back.

Ask the plumber to walk you through the video and point out each issue and its distance from the cleanout. Ask what pipe material they see, whether the problem is on your side of the line or near the city main, and what the repair options are.

If a repair is recommended, it's reasonable to get a second opinion before committing to a large job. Having the video makes that easy, since another plumber can review the same footage.