Sewer Camera Inspection in Lakewood
When sewage has backed up once, the useful question is why. A camera in the line answers it with an image instead of a guess.
What a sewer camera inspection is
A small waterproof camera on a flexible cable is fed through a cleanout or drain into the sewer line and records what it sees. It shows the pipe's condition and where a blockage or defect sits, so decisions about cleaning, repair or prevention start from evidence.
When it makes sense
- After a sewage backup, to find the cause
- When drains keep slowing or clogging in the same place
- Before buying an older home
- Before deciding on a repair, so the scope is based on what's there
- After roots or grease have been cleared, to confirm the line is in good shape
What it can find
Roots and buildup
Roots entering at joints, grease, scale and debris that narrow the pipe and catch waste.
Structural problems
Cracks, breaks, collapsed sections, offset or separated joints, and low spots (bellies) that hold water and solids.
Connections
Where private lines join, and whether those connections appear to be in good condition.
What you receive
Ideally a recording or images of what the camera saw, and a plain explanation of what they show. We don't diagnose what we can't see, and a camera inspection doesn't predict future problems. It tells you the line's condition on the day it's inspected.
Limits
The camera views your lateral, the line from the building outward. The public sewer main in the street belongs to the city. According to the City of Lakewood, the city maintains system components in the public right-of-way and property owners maintain those on private property.
Older homes
Lakewood has many homes more than a century old, so lateral lines may be decades old. Age alone doesn't mean there's a problem, but inspection is how you find out. That's especially relevant in dense, early districts like Birdtown, and for buyers considering an older house who want to know what they'd inherit.
Access
Access helps. A cleanout makes an inspection simple; where there isn't one, other entry points, such as a floor drain or toilet flange, can sometimes be used.
What happens next
Depending on what the camera finds, the next step might be drain cleaning and hydro jetting for a blockage, sewer line repair for a damaged lateral, or a discussion of a backwater valve if backups tie to heavy rain. If the line is fine, that's useful too, because it points the question back at the public system; see the responsibility guide.
How to prepare
Clear a path to the cleanout or drain being used, and note where in the house the trouble shows up: which fixtures back up, and when. That history helps interpret what the camera shows. If you have any past records of repairs or line clearing, have them handy.
Cleanup for an existing backup
An inspection doesn't clean up what a backup left behind. If wastewater is already in the building, start with basement sewage backup cleanup or emergency sewage cleanup, and schedule the inspection once the space is safe.
Common questions
Will it find a city main problem?
Not beyond your private line. If the issue appears to be in the street, it's a matter for the city.
Do I need a cleanout?
It makes the work easier, but there are other ways in. Call and describe your setup.
How long does an inspection take?
It depends on the length and condition of the line and how easy it is to access. The camera can only move as fast as the line allows.
Should I inspect an older house before buying?
It's a common step for older homes, because a damaged lateral is an expensive surprise after closing. Ask your agent whether to include it in the inspection period.
Call to schedule an inspection
Tell us about the backups, the age of the house and whether you know where the cleanout is.