Sewer Camera Inspection in Los Angeles
REQUEST SERVICE NOW
EMERGENCY SERVICE AVAILABLE 24/7
We’re committed to providing excellent service at all times, and always work closely with you to ensure that your needs are met.
When a drain keeps backing up, a sewer line smells, or you are about to buy a home with original 1940s clay piping, guessing is not a strategy. A high-definition sewer camera inspection lets us see exactly what is happening inside your sewer line, from the cleanout at the foundation to the city tap at the curb, without digging a single foot of yard. New Pro Plumbing has been running camera inspections across Los Angeles for years, and the footage we capture has saved homeowners thousands of dollars in unnecessary excavation.
We service every neighborhood on the Westside and beyond, including Mar Vista, Cheviot Hills, Marina del Rey, Palms, Venice, Culver City, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, West Hollywood, and Sunland.
What Is a Sewer Camera Inspection?
A sewer camera inspection is a diagnostic procedure where a licensed plumber feeds a flexible, waterproof video camera into your sewer line through an existing cleanout or access point. The camera transmits live video to a monitor on the surface, recording the entire run of the line. We can see cracks, root intrusion, bellies, offsets at pipe joints, scale buildup, foreign objects, and pipe material transitions in real time.
A locating transmitter on the camera head also tells us exactly where a problem is and how deep it sits, so when a repair is needed, we know precisely where to dig and how much pipe to replace.
When You Need a Sewer Camera Inspection
Recurring Drain Backups
If you have snaked the same drain three times in six months and the problem keeps coming back, the issue is not the drain. It is the sewer line. A camera inspection finds the actual cause, whether that is root intrusion, a collapsed section, or a belly holding water and waste.
Buying or Selling a Home
Standard home inspections do not include the sewer line. In Los Angeles, where many homes still have original cast iron or clay piping from the 1920s through the 1960s, an undetected sewer issue can cost the new owner $10,000 or more after closing. We provide pre-purchase sewer camera inspections with recorded video and a written report you can use during negotiation.
Sewer Odor Inside or Outside the Home
A persistent sewer smell in the yard or near a bathroom usually points to a cracked vent stack, a failed wax ring, or a break in the underground line. The camera identifies the source without tearing out finished walls or excavating blind. We have a detailed guide on why sewage smells outside during winter if you are seeing this issue seasonally.
Slow Drains Throughout the House
When multiple fixtures drain slowly at once, the problem is rarely a single clog. It is almost always a partial blockage or restriction in the main sewer line. The camera shows whether the cause is grease buildup, scale, root intrusion, or pipe deterioration.
Dark Green Patches in the Lawn
Unusually lush, dark green patches of grass above your sewer line route are a classic sign of a leaking pipe feeding the soil. We covered the diagnostic process in detail in our post on dark green patches in the lawn near sewer lines, and a camera inspection is the next step.
Before Major Plumbing Work
If you are remodeling a bathroom, adding a unit, or replacing fixtures, knowing the condition of the existing sewer line first can prevent surprises mid-project. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency publishes guidance on residential wastewater system maintenance that explains why proactive inspection saves money long term.
A tiny, flexible HD sewer camera is attached to a snake-like cable that the plumbers feed into your pipes until it reaches the cause of the clog. A radio transmitter on the camera sends live video feedback to our plumbers, who are then able to identify what is causing the blockage.
A sewer camera inspection can also detect other major sewer problems, like broken or cracked pipes, slipped joints, and collapsed or corroded sewer lines. The final step of a professional sewer camera inspection is to determine the best course of action to maintain the performance of your sewer lines.
What a Camera Inspection Reveals
Once the camera is in the line, we look for:
- Root intrusion at pipe joints, the most common cause of sewer failures in older LA homes
- Cracks, fractures, and offset joints from soil shifting or earthquake activity
- Bellies, which are low spots in the pipe that collect water and waste
- Scale and mineral buildup that narrows the pipe diameter
- Foreign objects flushed down toilets or washed in from outside
- Pipe material transitions where old clay meets newer PVC, a common failure point
- Collapsed sections of clay or Orangeburg pipe (Orangeburg was used widely in postwar LA construction and routinely fails)
- Connection issues at the city tap
After the inspection, we provide a written report and digital video file you can keep for insurance, real estate, or future reference.
Sewer camera inspections offer a comprehensive view of your sewer line’s condition, allowing you to make informed decisions about necessary repairs or maintenance. This technology provides a detailed analysis of your pipes, identifying any obstructions, cracks, or other issues that may be affecting the flow of wastewater. By addressing these problems early on, you can avoid emergency situations and the associated expenses.
Investing in regular sewer camera inspections can also enhance the value of your property. Potential buyers or tenants will appreciate the proactive approach you’ve taken to ensure the plumbing system is in excellent condition, giving them peace of mind and potentially increasing the property’s resale or rental value.
In summary, sewer camera inspections are vital for maintaining the health of your sewer line, preventing costly repairs, and adding value to your property. Now, let’s take a closer look at how exactly these inspections work.
What Happens If We Find a Problem?
The video tells us not just what is wrong, but where it is and how deep. Repairs typically fall into one of three categories:
Hydro jetting clears scale, grease, and root intrusion when the pipe itself is still structurally sound. We covered this in detail on our hydro jetting page.
Trenchless pipe lining rebuilds the pipe from the inside using a cured-in-place liner, avoiding excavation across yards, driveways, and hardscape. See our pipe lining page for details.
Sewer line repair or replacement is the right call when the pipe has collapsed, has bellies that cannot be lined, or has reached the end of its service life. Visit our sewer line repair and replacement page for what that process looks like.
In every case, the camera footage drives the recommendation. We never quote excavation without visual confirmation that excavation is actually needed.
Sewer Camera Inspection Across Los Angeles
We provide camera inspections throughout the Westside and surrounding neighborhoods, including:
- Mar Vista
- Cheviot Hills
- Marina del Rey
- Palms
- Venice
- Culver City
- Santa Monica
- Pacific Palisades
- West Hollywood
- Westchester
- Sunland
If you are anywhere in greater Los Angeles, call us. We cover most of West LA, the South Bay, and surrounding cities.
Why Homeowners Choose New Pro Plumbing
We use professional-grade self-leveling cameras with on-screen distance counters and locating transmitters, not cheap inspection scopes. Our plumbers are licensed, bonded, and insured, and we provide upfront pricing with no hidden fees. Every inspection includes recorded video and a written report. Most appointments are scheduled within 24 to 48 hours, with same-day service available for active backups.
We also coordinate with real estate agents and title companies on pre-purchase inspections, with quick turnaround on the report so it does not delay closing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a sewer camera inspection cost in Los Angeles?
Most camera inspections run between $250 and $475 depending on the length of the line and the access available. Pre-purchase inspections with a written report are typically priced at the upper end of that range. We provide a flat quote before scheduling.
How long does a sewer camera inspection take?
Most inspections are completed in 45 to 90 minutes, including setup, the camera run, and the walkthrough of findings with the homeowner.
Do I need a cleanout for a camera inspection?
It helps. If your home has an accessible cleanout at the foundation or in the yard, the camera goes in directly. If there is no cleanout, we can sometimes pull a toilet to access the line, which adds time and cost. The Department of Energy publishes general guidance on residential plumbing access points worth reviewing if you are unsure what your home has.
Will a camera inspection damage my pipes?
No. The camera is flexible, soft-jacketed, and designed specifically for sewer line use. It cannot damage clay, cast iron, PVC, or ABS piping.
Can you inspect commercial sewer lines?
Yes. We handle commercial plumbing including HOA properties, multi-unit residential, restaurants, and retail. Commercial inspections often involve longer lines and multiple cleanouts, and we plan accordingly.
Should I get a camera inspection before buying a home?
Yes, especially in Los Angeles. The cost of an inspection is a small fraction of what a full sewer replacement runs, and it gives you leverage in negotiation if the line has problems.
Schedule a Sewer Camera Inspection in Los Angeles
If you have a recurring backup, are about to buy a home, or just want to know the condition of your sewer line, contact New Pro Plumbing to schedule a camera inspection anywhere in Los Angeles. Same-day appointments are usually available.
24/7 EMERGENCY SERVICE
RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL
LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED
FULLY LICENSED & INSURED
What Do Our Customers Say.
Jan 27, 2026
Feb 6, 2026
OUR CUSTOMERS LOVE US !!!
