A sewer inspection in Wheat Ridge uses a waterproof camera on a flexible rod to look inside the line that carries waste from your house. It is a planned visit, so you can schedule it before a home purchase or after a repeat clog. If the line is backing up right now, the 24/7 emergency line is the faster route.
The camera head has its own light and sends live video to a screen. The plumber feeds it through a cleanout, the capped access pipe on your drain, and records the run. A transmitter in the head lets a handheld locator find the camera from above ground.
Licensed plumbers do the inspection and explain the footage, and you get a clear price before the camera goes in.
What the camera and locator do
The camera shows pipe material, joints, connections and the water level in the line. Plain PVC looks smooth and white or gray, cast iron shows rough scale, and clay pipe has visible joints every few feet. A distance counter on the cable tells the plumber how far from the cleanout each defect sits.
The locator picks up the signal from the camera head and shows depth and direction on a handheld display. The plumber marks the spot on the lawn or driveway with paint or a flag. That makes it possible to plan a dig, or to tell a trenchless repair is possible, without tearing up more ground than needed.
What the video can show
| On the screen | What it means | What usually follows |
|---|---|---|
| Fine roots at a joint | Roots entering through a small gap | Cleaning now, repair if they return |
| Standing water in a dip | A belly or sag in the pipe | Monitoring or regrading repair |
| Long crack or offset joint | Pipe shifted or fractured | Section repair or lining |
| Flaking rust and scale | Corroded cast iron | Cleaning, lining or replacement |
| Clean pipe, steady flow | No structural defect | Keep the footage for your records |
A clean video is as valuable as a bad one, since it gives you a baseline.
Need to see inside your sewer line?
Call to schedule a camera inspection, or use the 24/7 line for an active backup.
Good reasons to put a camera in the line
Buying a home
A sewer line you cannot see is a risk you inherit. An inspection before closing shows what the seller's disclosure may not.
Repeat clogs
When the same drain backs up every few months, the camera finds the reason a cable never reaches.
Slow drains in several fixtures
The main line may be partly blocked or sagging.
Sinkholes or soggy lawn
A camera and locator can find an underground leak without guesswork.
After a cleaning or repair
A follow-up video confirms that roots, scale or a new liner are in the condition you were told.
How an inspection visit goes
Access
The plumber finds the cleanout and opens it, or pulls a toilet if none exists.
Record
The camera runs the length of the line while the video is recorded.
Locate
A handheld locator marks any defect on the surface above.
Review
You watch the footage together and hear the options.
Inspection leads to a repair plan
When the video finds a problem, the next question is what it costs to fix. A plumber can explain whether the defect needs a sewer line repair or only a cleaning pass, using the depth and distance from the locator. You decide with the footage in hand.
Not every defect needs work. A small belly that holds a little water may be fine for years, while a collapsed section is not. The honest answer depends on what the pipe is doing, and the video makes that visible to you too.
Check the license before you hire
The City of Wheat Ridge licenses plumbing contractors, and an applicant must hold a State of Colorado Master Plumber license and a State plumbing contractor license. The State Plumbing Board also keeps a public license lookup online.
Before you pay for an inspection, especially one tied to a home sale, search the contractor's license in that lookup. A buyer relying on the footage wants it done by someone whose license shows up.
The code behind most plumbing work is a model code such as the UPC or the IPC, adopted with local changes, and the Wheat Ridge Building Division can say which edition governs your project.
What affects the price of a sewer inspection
A short, accessible line with a working cleanout takes less time than a long one that needs a toilet pulled. Locating a defect, adding a cleaning pass, or providing a longer recording increases the visit time. You hear the price before the camera goes in, and (303) 552-3896 connects you with the dispatcher.
Insurance seldom covers a pre-purchase inspection, and it will not reimburse for damage from gradual wear.
Common questions
How long does a sewer camera inspection take?
Most visits fit in a single appointment, but a long line, heavy buildup or a hard-to-reach cleanout adds time. The plumber will tell you what to expect.
Can you inspect a sewer line before I buy a house?
Yes. Schedule it during your due diligence period, and ask for a copy of the video. If the video shows defects, you can use it to negotiate a repair or credit.
Does the camera work if the line is fully blocked?
Not until the blockage is cleared. The plumber may cable or jet first, then run the camera, so the footage shows the actual pipe.
Will I get a copy of the footage?
Ask the plumber for the recording before the visit ends. It is useful for a repair plan, a home sale or a talk with your sewer district.
What if I do not have a cleanout?
The plumber can often reach the line by pulling a toilet. A new cleanout is a worthwhile addition if one is missing.
I manage rental properties. Is an inspection worth it for repeat backups?
Yes. A recording of the line settles whether tenants or the pipe are the cause, and shows owners what a repair would address.
Where this fits with other work
If the camera shows grease or scale, hydro jetting can clean the pipe wall. For routine blockages, sewer line cleaning is the next step. Homeowners in Arvada can read about coverage on the Arvada page.