SEWER CAMERA INSPECTION & SEWER SCOPE
Sewer Camera Inspection in Plymouth & the Twin Cities West Metro
A sewer camera inspection sends a waterproof camera through your main sewer line so you can see tree roots, cracks, offset joints, sags and blockages on video. Most inspections run about $270 to $570, and it’s the fastest way to find out whether your line needs cleaning, a liner or a repair.
Brass Tacks Plumbing, Heating & Cooling provides sewer camera inspections and sewer scopes in Plymouth, MN and throughout the Twin Cities West Metro, for recurring backups, older homes and home buyers. We show you what we find and give you an upfront price for any work the line needs.
When Should You Get a Sewer Camera Inspection?
A camera inspection takes the guesswork out of sewer problems. Instead of cleaning the same line again and again, or paying for a repair you might not need, you see exactly what's inside the pipe.
Scope the Sewer Before You Close
The sewer line is one of the most expensive parts of a home to fix, and a standard home inspection usually doesn't look inside it. A sewer scope before closing shows the condition of the pipe from the house toward the street.
Some cities also require a sewer inspection at sale. In Golden Valley, for example, properties without an Inflow & Infiltration Certificate of Compliance must have a sanitary sewer inspection before the home is advertised for sale.
Older homes deserve a closer look. Many West Metro homes still have original cast iron or clay sewer pipe, which can crack, scale and let roots in over time.
A camera inspection shows the condition of the pipe on the day it's scoped. We'll explain what we see and what, if anything, needs attention.
8 Reasons to Schedule a Sewer Camera Inspection
Recurring Main Line Clogs
If the main keeps backing up after cleaning, the camera shows whether roots, scale or a damaged pipe is the cause.
Buying or Selling a Home
A pre-purchase sewer scope helps you understand the line's condition before you close.
Tree Roots Found Before
If roots have been cleared before, a camera shows how they're getting in and how bad the damage is.
Older Cast Iron or Clay Pipe
Homes with original sewer pipe benefit from a check before small problems become big ones.
Water Under the Slab
Water coming up through basement concrete can mean a broken pipe below the floor.
Before a Remodel
Scoping the line before finishing a basement or adding a bathroom avoids tearing out new work later.
After Cleaning or Jetting
A camera after cleaning confirms the line is clear and shows any damage the clog was hiding.
Planning a Liner or Repair
A camera inspection is the first step for any sewer liner, spot repair or replacement.
A camera inspection is a diagnostic, not a repair. If the line is clogged, we may need to clean the main sewer or hydro jet it first so the camera can see.
If we find damage, we'll explain your sewer line repair options, including a trenchless sewer liner that avoids digging up your yard.
What Happens During a Sewer Line Camera Inspection
A sewer camera inspection usually takes about an hour or two, depending on access and what we find. Here's how it works.
Find an Access Point
We use a cleanout on the main stack or near the street. If there isn't one, we may go through a toilet or recommend adding a cleanout.
Clear the Way if Needed
A camera can't see through standing water or a heavy clog. If the line is blocked, we'll clean or jet it first, with your approval.
Run the Camera
A waterproof camera on a flexible cable travels down the line, recording roots, cracks, offsets, sags and buildup.
Locate the Problem
We can locate where a problem is and roughly how deep, so you know exactly where any repair would happen.
Review the Video With You
We walk you through the footage, can share the video link, and explain your options with an upfront price.
What Can a Sewer Camera Inspection Show?
A sewer camera shows the inside of the pipe in real time. These are the most common problems we find in West Metro sewer lines.
Tree Root
Intrusion
Roots grow into sewer pipes through cracks and joints, catching paper and debris until the line clogs. The camera shows where the roots are and how much of the pipe they've damaged.
- Roots at joints or cracks
- How far roots extend into the line
- Recurring root regrowth
- Whether a liner can seal the entry points
Cracks, Breaks
& Corrosion
Older cast iron can corrode and crack, and clay pipe can break at the joints. The camera shows the type and extent of the damage.
- Cracked or broken pipe
- Corroded or scaled cast iron
- Holes and missing sections
- Collapsed areas
Offsets &
Sags (Bellies)
Ground movement can shift pipe joints out of line or create a low spot that holds water and waste. Both catch debris and cause repeat clogs.
- Offset or separated joints
- Low spots that hold water
- Back-pitched drain sections
- Areas where debris collects
Buildup, Debris
& Blockages
Grease, scale, rocks, wipes and other debris can narrow the pipe. The camera shows what's causing the blockage and whether cleaning will solve it.
- Grease and scale buildup
- Rocks and sediment
- Wipes and foreign objects
- Partial or full blockages
See what's really in your sewer line. Schedule a sewer camera inspection and we'll show you the footage, explain it in plain language and tell you what, if anything, needs to be done.
SCHEDULE A SEWER SCOPEWhat Our Sewer Cameras Have Found Recently
Real camera inspections from our crews, with names and addresses removed. Sometimes the camera finds a problem, and sometimes it saves a homeowner from a repair they didn't need.
No Interior Break After All
Another company told a homeowner she had a break inside the house. Our camera inspection found no breaks in the interior main, only a slight sag, so no repair was needed.
Heavy Roots at the End of the Main
In a 1953 home, we pulled a toilet to reach the main, found heavy roots on camera, cleared them and ran the camera again to confirm the line was clear.
Home Empty for Years
A house that had sat empty for 5 to 7 years got a main line cleaning and descaling, then a camera inspection that found deposits and rocks in the line.
Root Found 24 Feet Out
We camera-inspected and located the main line, then cleared a 40-foot run of sewer with a root at about 24 feet.
Camera First, Then a Liner
We camera-inspected a 1941 home's sewer to plan a liner, then installed a cured-in-place liner from the front cleanout toward the street without trenching the yard.
Jetting So the Camera Could See
When a laundry drain was too blocked for the camera, we jetted the line first, then completed the inspection.
Schedule a sewer camera inspection with Brass Tacks Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. We'll inspect the line, explain what we find and give you an upfront price for anything it needs.
Camera Inspections for Members, Financing for Repairs
Built to Last members get a drain camera inspection every 3 years, plus yearly plumbing and HVAC maintenance and 10% off repairs, for $29 a month. If the camera finds a problem, financing through GreenSky may be available for sewer liners and sewer line repairs, subject to credit approval.
Terms are set by the lender and depend on credit approval. See our financing options.
Sewer Camera Inspection FAQs
Answers to common questions about sewer scopes, cost, home purchases and what the camera can find.
What is a sewer camera inspection?
A sewer camera inspection, also called a sewer scope, uses a waterproof camera on a flexible cable to record the inside of your main sewer line. It shows roots, cracks, breaks, offset joints, sags and blockages so you know what's causing a problem and where it is.
How much does a sewer camera inspection cost?
Most of our sewer camera inspections run about $270 to $570. If the line is blocked and needs to be cleaned or descaled before the camera can see, the total is higher. We give you an upfront price before we start. Read more in our sewer camera inspection cost guide.
How long does a sewer camera inspection take?
Most inspections take about an hour or two. Hard-to-reach access points, a line that needs cleaning first, or a long run to the street can add time.
Do I get a copy of the sewer camera video?
We'll walk you through the footage while we're there, and we can share a link to the video so you can keep it or show it to someone else, such as a buyer, seller or real estate agent.
Can a sewer camera find where the problem is in my yard?
Yes. We can locate the camera head from above ground to show where a problem is and roughly how deep it is. That helps plan a repair and avoids digging in the wrong place.
Should I get a sewer scope before buying a house?
It's a good idea, especially for older homes or homes with large trees near the sewer line. A standard home inspection usually doesn't look inside the sewer, and sewer repairs can be expensive. A scope before closing gives you information to negotiate or plan.
Is a bad sewer scope a dealbreaker when buying a house?
Not necessarily. Many problems, like roots or cracked pipe, can be fixed with cleaning or a trenchless liner. A scope gives you the facts to ask the seller for a repair or credit, or to budget for it yourself. We can give you an upfront repair price based on the footage.
Is a sewer scope worth it on an older home?
Yes, especially for homes built before the 1980s. Older homes often still have original clay or cast iron sewer pipe, which cracks, corrodes and lets roots in over time. Even if the house has city water and sewer, the line from the house to the street is usually the owner's responsibility.
Does my city require a sewer inspection when I sell my home?
Some do. In Golden Valley, for example, properties without an Inflow & Infiltration Certificate of Compliance need a sanitary sewer inspection before the home is advertised for sale. Requirements vary by city, so check with yours before listing.
Can a sewer camera see tree roots?
Yes. Roots are one of the most common things we find. The camera shows where they're entering the pipe and how much they've damaged it, which helps decide between cleaning, a liner or a repair.
Can a camera inspection tell me if I need a sewer liner?
Yes. A camera inspection is the first step before any sewer liner or repair. It shows whether the pipe is a good candidate for lining or has damage, such as a collapse or severe sag, that needs excavation.
What does a belly in a sewer line mean?
A belly, or sag, is a low spot where the pipe has settled. Water and waste sit there instead of flowing out, which can cause slow drains and repeat clogs. A small belly may only need monitoring or regular cleaning, while a severe one may need to be dug up and re-pitched.
Should I buy a drain camera and inspect the line myself?
You can, but a consumer camera only tells part of the story. A professional inspection includes cleaning the line if needed, locating the problem's depth and position in the yard, and an experienced plumber who can tell a minor issue from one that needs repair.
What if the camera can't get through the line?
If the line is badly clogged or full of water, the camera can't see much. We may need to clean the main sewer or hydro jet it first, with your approval, and then complete the inspection.
Do I need a cleanout for a sewer camera inspection?
A cleanout makes the inspection easiest. If your home doesn't have one, we can sometimes go in through a toilet. Adding a cleanout also makes future cleaning, inspections and liner work easier.
Does the Built to Last membership include a sewer camera inspection?
Yes. Built to Last members get a drain camera inspection every 3 years, when the line has easy cleanout access, along with yearly plumbing and HVAC maintenance and 10% off repairs, for $29 a month. See the plan.
Do you offer financing if the camera finds a problem?
Yes. Financing through GreenSky may be available for sewer liners and sewer line repairs, subject to credit approval. See our financing page.
Do you provide sewer camera inspections in my area?
Yes. Brass Tacks provides sewer camera inspections in Plymouth, Wayzata, Minnetonka, Maple Grove, Medina, Orono and surrounding Twin Cities West Metro communities. Learn more about our Plymouth plumbing services.
See What's Really in Your Sewer Line
Whether you're dealing with recurring backups, buying a home or planning a remodel, a sewer camera inspection gives you clear answers. We'll show you the footage, explain what we find and recommend only what your line needs.
Sewer camera inspections in Plymouth, Wayzata, Minnetonka, Maple Grove, Medina, Orono and surrounding Twin Cities West Metro communities.