Camera Pipe Inspections in Northern Virginia

How a Sewer Camera Inspection Works

A sewer video inspection gives us a direct view inside your pipes with minimal disruption to your home and yard:

1. Camera insertion: We feed a flexible, waterproof camera into your plumbing system through an access point.
2. Live video feed: The camera sends real-time footage so we can assess the condition of the pipe as it travels through the line.
3. Problem identification: We locate blockages, cracks, root intrusion, and other damage, and note where along the line each problem sits.
4. Recommendations: We walk you through what we found and recommend the right fix, if one is needed.

What Can a Sewer Camera Inspection Find?

A camera inspection shows problems that can’t be seen from inside the house, including:

• Blockages from grease, wipes, or other debris
• Tree and shrub roots growing into pipe joints or cracks
• Cracked, broken, or collapsed pipe sections
• Buildup that narrows the pipe and slows drainage

Once we know exactly what’s wrong and where, the repair can be targeted. Depending on what the camera finds, that might mean drain cleaning, sewer line repair, or trenchless sewer repair that avoids digging up your yard.

When Should You Schedule a Sewer Camera Inspection?

• Recurring clogs: Drains that keep backing up after cleaning often have an underlying problem in the line.
• Slow drains throughout the house: Several slow fixtures at once can point to buildup, roots, or damage in the main line.
• Sewage backups: A camera locates the blockage so it can be cleared and the cause addressed.
• Buying a home: A sewer scope shows the condition of the line before you commit to the purchase.
• Before or after a repair: Confirming the problem before work starts, or confirming the line is clear afterward.

Have a drain that keeps backing up? Call (703) 878-3154.

Your Sewer Line Is Your Responsibility

Many homeowners don’t realize they own the pipe that runs from the house to the public sewer. In Fairfax County, the resident or building owner is responsible for maintaining the private sewer line from the home to the county sewer, including the connection, and for damage caused by blockages in it, according to the county’s Department of Public Works and Environmental Services. The county also notes that roots entering sewer joints or cracks can eventually cause the line to break. That’s why knowing the condition of your line matters, especially in an older home or one you’re about to buy.

What Affects Sewer Camera Inspection Cost?

The price depends on the job. Main factors include how easy it is to access the line, the length of pipe to be inspected, and whether the line needs to be cleared before the camera can pass through. We explain the price before we start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I get a sewer scope before buying a house?

It’s a smart step, especially for older homes or properties with large trees near the sewer line. Many standard home inspections don’t include a camera look inside the sewer line, and problems like root intrusion or a broken pipe can be expensive to fix after closing. A camera inspection gives you a clear picture of the line’s condition before you commit to the purchase.

Who is responsible for the sewer line between my house and the street?

In Fairfax County, the homeowner is responsible for the private sewer line that runs from the home to the county sewer, including the connection. If a blockage happens in that private line, the homeowner is responsible for resulting damage. Rules can differ by locality, so check with your local sewer authority if you’re outside Fairfax County.

Does homeowners insurance cover sewer backups?

Often not by default. Fairfax County notes that in most cases a special rider is needed on a homeowner’s or renter’s policy to cover sewage backups or water damage, and that you usually have to request it because it isn’t automatically included. Check your policy with your insurance provider.

What’s the difference between a sewer camera inspection and a smoke test?

A camera inspection shows the inside of the pipe on video, which is ideal for finding blockages, roots, cracks, and collapsed sections. A smoke test pushes harmless smoke through the system to reveal where gases or odors are escaping. They answer different questions. Learn more about our sewer smoke testing.

Schedule a Sewer Camera Inspection

We serve homeowners and home buyers in Woodbridge, Manassas, Centreville, Fairfax, Alexandria, Arlington, and nearby communities across Northern Virginia. Call (703) 878-3154 or contact us online to schedule your sewer camera inspection.